Nuclear Fuel Development Intern - Summer 2027

Idaho National Laboratory•Idaho Falls, ID

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to a Senior Manager within the Fuel Fabrication & Nuclear Materials Management Division, you will support hands-on research and engineering activities associated with nuclear fuel development, materials characterization, and irradiation experiment assembly at Idaho National Laboratory's Materials and Fuels Complex (MFC). You will work alongside engineers, scientists, technicians, and other interns while contributing to projects that support the development and testing of advanced nuclear fuels and materials. Responsibilities may include conducting research, supporting laboratory and fabrication activities, analyzing technical data, preparing engineering documentation, and communicating results to project teams. Specific assignments will be based on your education, experience, interests, and current program needs. Potential projects may include: Alloying, casting, heat treating, and other metallurgical processing of uranium alloys and advanced nuclear materials. Applying advanced manufacturing methods—including spark plasma sintering/electric field-assisted sintering (SPS/EFAS) and additive manufacturing—to nuclear fuel and materials development. Developing powder metallurgy processes for ceramic, metallic, and composite nuclear fuels. Performing materials testing, sample preparation, and characterization using furnaces, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface-area analysis (BET), and other laboratory techniques. Supporting the assembly and qualification of irradiation experiments for testing in nuclear research reactors. Activities may include welding and joining process development, test-rig assembly, nondestructive examinations, and preparation of quality documentation. Designing equipment, tooling, fixtures, or experiment hardware using computer-aided design software and preparing associated engineering drawings and documentation. Researching materials, manufacturing methods, technical standards, and inspection requirements to support engineering decisions. Analyzing experimental or process data and documenting results through presentations, technical reports, procedures, and other formal project deliverables. This internship provides an opportunity to gain practical experience working on multidisciplinary projects spanning engineering, science, advanced materials, manufacturing, quality assurance, and project execution. You will be expected to work collaboratively, communicate clearly, take ownership of assigned tasks, and perform work in accordance with established safety, quality, and conduct-of-operations requirements.

Requirements

Enrolled full time in an Undergraduate or Graduate degree program at an accredited college/university studying Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Aerospace Engineering, Chemistry, Physics, or a closely related field
A minimum overall 3.0 GPA
Must be either a US Citizen or a US Green Card holder
Current Resume or CV
Unofficial Transcripts (include current and completed degree programs)
Current class schedule and number of credits

Nice To Haves

Coursework or project experience in materials science, metallurgy, thermodynamics, or solid mechanics
Exposure to materials characterization techniques (e.g., optical microscopy, SEM, XRD) through lab coursework, senior design, or undergraduate/graduate research
Familiarity with manufacturing or fabrication processes such as casting, heat treatment, powder metallurgy, additive manufacturing, or welding/joining, gained through coursework or project work
Experience with computer-aided design (CAD) software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Inventor)
Understanding of nuclear reactor concepts, radiation effects on materials, or nuclear fuel cycles
Prior internship, co-op, or research experience in a laboratory, manufacturing, or engineering setting

Responsibilities

Conducting research
Supporting laboratory and fabrication activities
Analyzing technical data
Preparing engineering documentation
Communicating results to project teams
Alloying, casting, heat treating, and other metallurgical processing of uranium alloys and advanced nuclear materials
Applying advanced manufacturing methods—including spark plasma sintering/electric field-assisted sintering (SPS/EFAS) and additive manufacturing—to nuclear fuel and materials development
Developing powder metallurgy processes for ceramic, metallic, and composite nuclear fuels
Performing materials testing, sample preparation, and characterization using furnaces, optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface-area analysis (BET), and other laboratory techniques
Supporting the assembly and qualification of irradiation experiments for testing in nuclear research reactors
Designing equipment, tooling, fixtures, or experiment hardware using computer-aided design software and preparing associated engineering drawings and documentation
Researching materials, manufacturing methods, technical standards, and inspection requirements to support engineering decisions
Analyzing experimental or process data and documenting results through presentations, technical reports, procedures, and other formal project deliverables