Intern - Optoelectronics - R&D Undergraduate -Summer
What Your Job Will Be Like
We are seeking a motivated student intern who is interested in optoelectronics and photonics to join our team Summer 2021!
You should look forward to working as part of a team in a laboratory environment performing device characterization, instrumentation setup, data automation, and data analysis. You may also be tasked with design and simulation of relevant devices and systems. In this role, you will be mentored by a team of applied physicists, electrical and optical engineers, and material scientists to aid in R&D that will synthesize custom optoelectronic devices.
On any given day, you might be asked to:
- Aid in experimental laboratory research and testing of novel semiconductor-based optoelectronic devices such as laser diodes, photodiodes, modulators, optical sensors, micro-resonators, and imaging arrays.
- Aid in experimental laboratory research and testing of optomechanical inertial sensors, photonics integrated circuits, lasers, and infrared sensors.
- Aid in assembly and packaging of microsystems that integrate custom micro-optics, optoelectronics, and electronics using methods such as wire bonding, die attach, flip-chip and eutectic bonding.
- Design, prototype and test digital and analog circuits
- Program microcontrollers.
- Characterize devices using wafer probing over various temperature ranges.
- Perform digital signal processing of acquired signals.
- Deliver results and report findings to team members.
- Understand how microfabrication parameters used for building devices affect performance.
Posting Duration
This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.
Qualifications We Require
You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:
- Currently attending and enrolled full time (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited undergraduate program
- Pursuing a science, engineering, or math major
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
- Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer
- U.S. citizenship
Note: If you have not yet started your undergraduate program, please apply to a high school intern position.
Qualifications We Desire
- Strong academic credentials with an undergraduate GPA of 3.5/4.0 or better and a graduate GPA 3.7/4.0 or higher
- Prior lab experience working in optoelectronics, optics, photonics, or compound semiconductors
- Currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science or Physics/Applied Physics with an interest in optical devices
- Self-motivation to work effectively as an independent contributor
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to work effectively in a team environment
- Previous experience using laboratory instruments.
- Experience with software programming and instrument control in languages such as MATLAB, LabVIEW, C/C++, C#, python, and visual basic.
- Preliminary circuit analysis course.
- Completed at least three academic years of undergraduate study by the summer of 2020
About Our Team
The III-V Optoelectronics Department develops compound semiconductor, photonics, and microsystems for national security applications including high-performance computing, communications, renewable energy, sensing and imaging. As part of Sandia’s Microsystems Engineering, Science, and Applications (MESA) Center, we research, design, fabricate, prototype, test and deliver novel lasers, photonic integrated circuits, photonic microsystems, and sensors. We focus on R&D of high performance technology platforms and customized microsystems.
We use state-of-the-art materials and fabrication capabilities within Sandia’s MESA cleanroom complex to serve a broad mix of internal and external clients. Core capabilities include:
- Optical, optoelectronic and electronic modeling and simulation
- Epitaxial design, materials growth (MOCVD/MBE) and materials characterization
- Design, microfabrication and testing of III-V photonic devices and infrared detectors
- Heterogeneous microsystem integration and prototyping
- High-speed and harsh-environment optoelectronics, including device reliability assessments
Visit our website for more information: www.sandia.gov/mstc/nspc/index.html
About Sandia
Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:
- Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
- Extraordinary co-workers
- Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
- Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
- Flexible schedules, generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*
World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov
*These benefits vary by job classification.
Security Clearance
This position does not currently require a Department of Energy (DOE) security clearance.
Sandia will conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Furthermore, employees in New Mexico need to pass a U.S. Air Force background screen for access to Kirtland Air Force Base. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause access to be denied or terminated, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.
If hired without a clearance and it subsequently becomes necessary to obtain and maintain one for the position, or you bid on positions that require a clearance, a pre-processing background review may be conducted prior to a required federal background investigation. Applicants for a DOE security clearance need to be U.S. citizens. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.
Members of the workforce (MOWs) hired at Sandia who require uncleared access for greater than 179 days during their employment, are required to go through the Uncleared Personal Identity Verification (UPIV) process. Access includes physical and/or cyber (logical) access, as well as remote access to any NNSA information technology (IT) systems. UPIV requirements are not applicable to individuals who require a DOE personnel security clearance for the performance of their SNL employment or to foreign nationals. The UPIV process will include the completion of a USAccess Enrollment, SF-85 (Questionnaire for Non-Sensitive Positions) and OF-306 (Declaration of for Federal Employment). An unfavorable UPIV determination will result in immediate retrieval of the SNL issued badge, removal of cyber (logical) access and/or removal from SNL subcontract. All MOWs may appeal the unfavorable UPIV determination to DOE/NNSA immediately. If the appeal is unsuccessful, the MOW may try to go through the UPIV process one year after the decision date.
EEO
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.