Undergraduate/Graduate (Year-Round) Intern - UX Design

National Laboratory of the Rockies•Golden, CO

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Innovative Data Energy Applications (IDEA) Group in National Laboratories of the Rockies Strategic Energy Analysis Center is seeking a UX Design Intern. The IDEA Group is a multi-disciplinary team of UX Designers, UX Researchers, Product Managers, and Software Engineers. We build software and applications that help to answer some of the nation’s most pressing energy questions, and we care deeply about making complex data and workflows intuitive and usable. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced designers and researchers to apply user-centered design methods and contribute to real applications. This role is an opportunity to learn how UX is practiced in an applied research environment while building skills across the design process, from early concepts to implementation support. You will be supported through mentorship and collaboration, and encouraged to explore ideas, ask questions, and grow your design thinking.

Requirements

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.
Currently pursuing (or recently completed) a degree in Human-Computer Interaction, Design, Psychology, Cognitive Science, or a related field
Demonstrated interest in UX design through coursework, personal projects, or internships
Familiarity with UX research methods and how to apply UX research findings to design
Experience with design and prototyping tools such as Figma (or similar)
Strong curiosity and willingness to learn, iterate, and receive feedback
Ability to communicate ideas clearly and stay organized

Nice To Haves

Exposure to user-centered design methods (e.g., wireframing, usability testing, journey mapping)
Interest in data visualization, geospatial tools, or complex systems
Awareness of accessibility principles (e.g., Section 508 or WCAG)
Experience working on team-based projects (academic or otherwise)

Responsibilities

Support the creation of wireframes, mockups, and interactive prototypes
Contribute to defining user flows and identifying friction points in existing experiences
Assist in organizing and synthesizing user feedback from usability interviews or research activities to incorporate them into designs
Communicate design ideas and rationale through visuals and presentations
Collaborate with designers, researchers, and developers in a team environment
Maintain organized design files and document decisions clearly