Simulation & Optimization Analyst Intern

GIA (Gemological Institute of America)•Carlsbad, CA

2d•$22 - $28•Onsite

About The Position

This position supports the transition of our simulation and optimization model—developed through the UC San Diego Capstone project—toward operational integration within GIA’s Global Lab Operations. The analyst will collaborate closely with our technical team to refine code, integrate new data sources, and ensure that outputs and dashboards are aligned for business use.

Requirements

Currently pursuing or recently completed a Master’s degree in Business Analytics, Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Engineering, or a related STEM field
Strong academic performance with coursework in areas such as: Machine Learning / AI, Statistical Modeling, Data Engineering (SQL, ETL), Optimization, Simulation, or Operations Research
Bachelor’s degree in a quantitative or analytical discipline preferred
Hands-on experience (through academic projects, internships, or research) in one or more of the following areas: Machine learning and predictive modeling, Statistical analysis and data exploration, Optimization and simulation modeling, Data visualization and dashboard development
Demonstrated ability to: Work with large and complex datasets, Build and validate analytical models, Translate analytical outputs into business insights
Prior internship or project experience applying analytics in real-world or client-facing settings is preferred
Experience working on end-to-end data science workflows (data preparation → modeling → evaluation → communication)
Proficiency in: Python (required), SQL (required)
Knowledge of common machine learning techniques (e.g., regression, tree-based models, classification)
Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills
Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to non-technical stakeholders
Comfortable working in a collaborative, cross-functional environment
Interest in applying data science to operational, supply chain, or lab/network optimization problems

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with tools such as R, Tableau, or other visualization platforms is a plus
Exposure to advanced topics such as: NLP / LLMs, Time-series or risk modeling, Explainability methods (e.g., SHAP), Optimization or simulation approaches

Responsibilities

Collaborating with GIA technical advisors and subject matter experts to refine and validate the simulation engine and data pipeline
Enhancing and optimizing code for efficiency, reliability, and scalability
Integrating new data sources and ensuring seamless data flow for model accuracy
Aligning simulation outputs and dashboard formats with operational requirements and stakeholder needs
Conducting sanity checks, troubleshooting issues, and documenting technical processes throughout the project
Providing support for knowledge transfer and handover documentation at project completion