NREL Jobs

Posting Title

Undergraduate/Graduate (Spring) Intern – Marine Energy Converter Design and Development

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Location

CO - Boulder

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Position Type

Intern (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week

40

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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:

• https://labpartnering.org/technologies/4e8c2650-a71b-46a7-a103-c67bb7cabad8

• https://www.nrel.gov/news/program/2024/beneath-the-surface-nicole-mendoza.html

• https://ece.engin.umich.edu/stories/two-ug-students-win-national-energy-prize-with-their-plan-for-artificial-kelp-forests

• https://www.energy.gov/eere/water/articles/ripple-effect-tale-two-students-some-artificial-kelp-and-water-power-prize

• https://www.energy.gov/technologytransitions/articles/regional-bonus-prize-finalists-selected-energytech-university-prize

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.

This position will run from approximately January 6 to March 28, 2025 with some flexibility on start and end dates, as well as total number of weeks (depends on candidate level). The role is onsite at NREL's Flatirons Campus outside Boulder, CO.

Despite the sole option listed in this posting, this opportunity is open to both part-time and full-time candidates.

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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.



Please Note:


• Applicants are responsible for uploading official or unofficial school transcripts, as part of the application process.


• If selected for position, a letter of recommendation will be required as part of the hiring process.


• Must meet educational requirements prior to employment start date.

* 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.

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Job Application Submission Window

The anticipated closing window for application submission is up to 30 days and may be extended as needed.

Annual Salary Range (based on full-time 40 hours per week)

Job Profile: / Annual Salary Range: $34,000 - $54,400

NREL takes into consideration a candidate’s education, training, and experience, expected quality and quantity of work, required travel (if any), external market and internal value, including seniority and merit systems, and internal pay alignment when determining the salary level for potential new employees. In compliance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, a potential new employee’s salary history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits Summary

Benefits include medical, dental, and vision insurance; 403(b) Employee Savings Plan with employer match*; and sick leave (where required by law). NREL employees may be eligible for, but are not guaranteed, performance-, merit-, and achievement- based awards that include a monetary component. Some positions may be eligible for relocation expense reimbursement. Internships projected to be less than 20 hours per week are not eligible for medical, dental, or vision benefits.

* Based on eligibility rules

Badging Requirement

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Intern assignments extending beyond six months will be subject to this requirement.

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

Submission Guidelines

Please note that in order to be considered an applicant for any position at NREL you must submit an application form for each position for which you believe you are qualified. Applications are not kept on file for future positions. Please include a cover letter and resume with each position application.

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EEO Policy

NREL is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard basis of age (40 and over), color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, marital status, domestic partner status, military or veteran status, national origin/ancestry, race, religion, creed, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding), sexual orientation, and any other applicable status protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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E-Verify is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. This business uses E-Verify in its hiring practices to achieve a lawful workforce.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is a leader in the U.S. Department of Energy’s effort to secure an environmentally and economically sustainable energy future. With locations in Golden and Boulder, Colorado, and a satellite office in Washington, D.C., NREL is the primary laboratory for research, development, and deployment of renewable energy technologies in the United States.

NREL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All candidates must be authorized to access the facility per DOE rules and guidance within a reasonable time frame for the specified position in order to be considered for an interview and for hiring. DOE rules for site access during the interview process depend on whether the candidate is interviewed on-site, off-site, or via telephone or videoconference. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as required by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12), which includes a favorable background investigation. Additionally, DOE contractor employees are prohibited from participating in certain Foreign Government Talent Recruitment Programs (FGTRPs). If a candidate is currently participating in an FGTRP, they will be required to disclose their participation after receiving an offer of employment and may be required to disengage from participation in the FGTRP prior to commencing employment. Any offer of employment is conditional on the ability to obtain work authorization and to be granted access to NREL by the Department of Energy (DOE).

Drug Free Workplace

NREL is committed to maintaining a drug-free workplace in accordance with the federal Drug-Free Workplace Act and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs. Under federal law, marijuana remains an illegal drug.

If you are offered employment at NREL, you must pass a pre-employment drug test prior to commencing employment. Unless prohibited by state or local law, the pre-employment drug test will include marijuana. If you test positive on the pre-employment drug test, your offer of employment may be withdrawn.

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