Post-Undergraduate/Graduate (Year-Round) Data Engineering Intern

Nrel • Golden, CO

38d

About The Position

NREL's Grid Planning and Analysis team is seeking a curious, sharp, and technically skilled Data Engineering Intern to help build the largest grid datasets in the world. We are looking for a candidate passionate about building trusted, validated databases from the ground up using messy, heterogeneous datasets that fuel real-world energy research and national policy decisions. You'll be instrumental in transforming unstructured or semi-structured data into high-integrity, queryable databases that support machine learning models, visual analytics, and advanced simulations.

Requirements

• Must be enrolled as a full-time student in a Bachelor's, Master's or PhD degree program, or graduated in the past 12 months from an accredited institution. Candidates who have earned a degree may work for a period not to exceed 12 months. Must have a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative grade point average.
• Please Note: You will need to upload 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.
• Completed a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Software Engineering, or a related field, or currently enrolled in a masters or PhD program in these fields
• Must provide a GitHub profile or portfolio showcasing relevant projects as part of application, please include a link in your resume/CV
• Strong programming skills in Julia and python with experience with Pandas, NumPy, or similar libraries a plus
• Demonstrated experience working with datasets and databases
• Ability to communicate technical details clearly and collaborate in a team-oriented environment
• Data requests through APIs

Nice To Haves

• Proficiency in SQL and experience with relational databases (PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, etc.)
• Machine learning experience

Responsibilities

• Ingest, clean, and validate diverse datasets from internal and external sources (e.g., CSVs, spreadsheets, Text Files and SQL dumps)
• Design and assemble structured, high-quality relational databases
• Collaborate with domain scientists and software engineers to understand data contexts and ensure correct integration into the Sienna Platform
• Document data provenance, validation logic, and database design decisions
• Write reusable scripts for data transformation and validation (preferably in Python or similar languages)
• Contribute to internal Git repositories and maintain clean, reproducible codebases

Benefits

• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Industry: Administrative and Support Services
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees