Undergraduate/Post-Undergraduate (Summer) Quality Management Intern

Posting TitleUndergraduate/Post-Undergraduate (Summer) Quality Management Intern

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LocationCO - Golden

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Position TypeIntern (Fixed Term)

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Hours Per Week40

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Working at NRELThe National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), located at the foothills of the Rocky Mountains in Golden, Colorado is the nation's primary laboratory for energy systems research and development.

Join the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL), where world-class scientists, engineers, and experts are accelerating energy innovation through breakthrough research and systems integration. From our mission to our collaborative culture, NREL stands out in the research community for its commitment to an affordable and secure energy future. Spanning foundational science to applied systems engineering and analysis, we focus on solving complex challenges to deliver advanced, secure, reliable, and cost-effective energy solutions. Our work helps strengthen U.S. industries, support job creation, and promote national economic growth.

At NREL, you’ll find a mission-driven environment supported by state-of-the-art facilities, multidisciplinary research teams, and strong collaborations with industry, academia, and other national laboratories. We offer robust professional development opportunities, and a competitive benefits package designed to support your career and well-being.

Learn about NREL’s critical objectives: NREL's Mission and Vision.

Job Description

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Quality Management Intern to join our Quality Assurance team. This internship provides a hands-on opportunity to learn and contribute to core aspects of a quality management system (QMS) within a professional laboratory environment. The ideal candidate will support ongoing initiatives related to equipment calibration, document control, internal audits, and corrective actions.

In this capacity, the intern will play a crucial supporting role without direct responsibility for specific tasks. The intern will provide support for efforts including:

• Calibration Inventory Support:
  Assist with the maintenance and tracking of measurement and test equipment (M&TE) calibration inventory. Learn how to verify calibration status and support data accuracy across tracking systems.
• Document and Record Control Assistance:
  Help maintain organized and compliant documentation and records in accordance with quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025). Support audits and updates of controlled documents.
• Shadow Quality Assessments:
  Observe internal and external assessments and audits to understand compliance requirements, audit preparation, and follow-up procedures.
• Exposure to Nonconformance Reporting:
  Learn about the process for identifying, documenting, and addressing nonconformances. Support data entry or tracking of nonconformance reports (NCRs).
• Corrective Action and Root Cause Analysis Observation:
  Shadow team members conducting root cause analysis and developing corrective actions. Gain insights into problem-solving methodologies such as 5 Whys, Fishbone diagrams, or FMEA.
• Participate in Lab Inspections:
  Shadow quarterly laboratory inspections to understand how environmental and procedural factors are assessed for compliance and continuous improvement.

To learn more about NREL’s ESHQ program, click here: https://www2.nrel.gov/about/ehs.

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Basic QualificationsMinimum 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

• Current enrollment or recent completion of an undergraduate degree in Quality Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field
• Demonstrated Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, SharePoint etc.)
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills
• Effective written and verbal communication
• Interest in quality systems and continuous improvement

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with ISO 9001 or ISO/IEC 17025 standards is a plus.
• Experience working with document control systems or calibration tracking software is beneficial but not required.
• Experience with multiple Quality Management Systems is preferred (e.g., ISO-9001, ISO-14001, ISO-17025, ISO 45001, ANSI-Z1.13, DOE O 414.1, CMMI, etc.).
• Adaptability to new and challenging situations.
• Certifications in quality management (e.g., Certified Manager of Quality/Organizational Excellence, Certified Quality Auditor, Certified Quality Engineer, Lead Auditor Certification, etc.).
• Experience and knowledge of DOE policies and regulations.
• Experience with formal work planning and control, conduct of research practices, and Integrated Safety Management (ISM) best practices.
• Collaborative experience with a diverse science and engineering research staff.
• This internship offers a unique opportunity to provide valuable support within the Quality Assurance/Quality Control domain at NREL, contributing to cutting-edge projects in the renewable energy sector.

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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: $34,800 - $55,700

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 SummaryBenefits 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 RequirementNREL 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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Equal Opportunity 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.

Reasonable Accommodations

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