Working at NREL
NREL’s 305-acre Flatirons Campus is the nation’s premier wind energy, water power, and grid integration research facility. Nestled south of Boulder, Colorado, and north of NREL’s main South Table Mountain campus, Flatirons sits adjacent to the Rocky Flats National Wildlife Refuge and countless acres of open space and parks with stunning views of the Flatirons rock formations.
From day one at NREL, you’ll connect with coworkers driven by the same mission to save the planet. By joining an organization that values a supportive, inclusive, and flexible work environment, you’ll have the opportunity to engage through our ten employee resource groups, numerous employee-driven clubs, and learning and professional development classes.
NREL supports inclusive, diverse, and unbiased hiring practices that promote creativity and innovation. By collaborating with organizations that focus on diverse talent pools, reaching out to underrepresented demographics, and providing an inclusive application and interview process, our Talent Acquisition team aims to hear all voices equally. We strive to attract a highly diverse workforce and create a culture where every employee feels welcomed and respected and they can be their authentic selves.
Our planet needs us! Learn about NREL’s critical objectives, and see how NREL is focused on saving the planet.
We invite all interested candidates to apply for this opportunity. While we recognize that job seekers may hesitate if they don’t meet every requirement, we encourage dedicated individuals who meet all the basic and additional required qualifications of the role to submit an application. We value the opportunity to consider those who believe they have the necessary skills and ambition to succeed at NREL.
Job Description
NREL is seeking an undergraduate or graduate intern to design, analyze, and optimize the Novel Kelp-Inspired Marine Energy Converter (PKelp™). The intern will design and manufacture PKelp fronds and relevant tooling, validate the performance of the PKelp, support wave tank testing, and analyze wave tank test data. The intern will work in a multi-disciplinary team environment and work collaboratively with industry partners.
To learn more about the PKelp project and other work conducted by this team, please visit:
This opportunity is open to both traditional and non-traditional students. No prior work experience is necessary. The intern is expected to be generally familiar with engineering principles, theories, and concepts.
Multiple interns have previously worked on the PKelp project, and other students have used data generated from this project to win funding and competitions. The hiring team for this intern places special emphasis on professional development, mentoring, networking, and providing opportunities within and beyond the PKelp project.
Basic Qualifications
Minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
Undergraduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a bachelor’s degree program from an accredited institution.
Post Undergraduate: Earned a bachelor’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
Graduate: Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a master’s degree program from an accredited institution.
Post Graduate: Earned a master’s degree within the past 12 months. Eligible for an internship period of up to one year.
Graduate + PhD: Completed master’s degree and enrolled as PhD student from an accredited institution.
* Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.
Additional Required Qualifications
To be considered for this position, the intern candidate must be enrolled in—or graduated in the past 12 months from—an undergraduate or graduate degree program in Mechanical, Aerospace, Ocean, and/or Electrical Engineering. Similar majors are acceptable.
The successful candidate will have excellent writing, interpersonal, and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
It’s a bonus, but not a requirement, if the intern candidate has:
- Experience with wave energy converter design, analysis, and/or optimization;
- Experience in soldering;
- Experience in Matlab programming and/or CAD software (SolidWorks or other);
- An interest in a career in renewable energy and sustainability.
Job Application Submission Window
The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.
