Job Description

What Your Job Will Be Like:

We are seeking interns with research interest in Human-AI systems to join our Human Factors team. As an intern, you will play a crucial role in designing and optimizing the collaboration between humans and systems. Your primary focus will be on enhancing the usability, safety, and overall performance of systems across various domains.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct research and analysis to understand human-AI interaction dynamics and identify areas for improvement.
• Design user-centered interfaces and interaction protocols for effective human-AI collaboration.
• Collaborate with stakeholders from cross-functional teams, including engineers, designers, and data scientists, to understand user needs and requirements and create actionable design recommendations grounded in human factors principles.
• Conduct usability testing and user studies to evaluate technologies, including human-AI systems.
• Identify potential risks and challenges associated with human systems interaction, propose mitigation strategies, and help develop guidelines, standards, and best practices with these in mind.
• Provide guidance and support to project teams in implementing human factors principles throughout the development lifecycle.
• Stay current with advancements in human factors, AI technologies, and industry best practices.

Salary Range:

At Sandia, we value the important work done by our interns and its contribution to National Security. Because of this, our interns earn competitive pay rates. Our pay structure is based on earned credit hours, classification, and degree level. Your pay rate will be determined during the hire process and included in your offer package. You can view the Intern Pay Rate chart here (https://www.sandia.gov/app/uploads/sites/51/2024/01/Student-Rate-Sheet\_2024.pdf) .

Qualifications We Require:

You bring the confidence and skills to be eligible for the job by meeting these minimum requirements:

• Earned bachelor's degree
• Currently attending and enrolled full time in the spring term immediately preceding the internship (or scheduled to graduate in the spring) in an accredited science, engineering, or math graduate program
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0
• Ability to work up to 40 hours per week during the summer
• Ability to secure and maintatin a U.S. security clearance which requires U.S. citizenship

Note: If you have not yet started your graduate program, please apply to an undergraduate intern position.

Qualifications We Desire:

• Experience in human factors research and design, with a focus on human-AI interaction.
• Understanding of human cognition, decision-making, and behavior related to AI systems.
• Proficiency in applying human factors principles and methodologies, including usability testing, user-centered design, and user research, to improve user experience and system performance.
• Familiarity with AI technologies, including machine learning, natural language processing, and large language models (LLMs). Programming experience is a plus.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to think critically and propose innovative solutions.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in cross-functional teams.
• Ability to adapt to a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Knowledge of relevant industry standards and regulations related to human-AI interaction is a plus.

Posting Duration:

This posting will be open for application submissions for a minimum of seven (7) calendar days, including the ‘posting date’. Sandia reserves the right to extend the posting date at any time.

About Our Team:

The Human Factors department is a laboratory-wide capability that provides technical expertise to Sandia projects. The team supports a broad range of projects related to national security with major objectives of better understanding the role of people in complex systems, enhancing the effectiveness of human-machine systems, and identifying and mitigating the impact of potential human error.

About Sandia:

Sandia National Laboratories is the nation’s premier science and engineering lab for national security and technology innovation, with teams of specialists focused on cutting-edge work in a broad array of areas. Some of the main reasons we love our jobs:

• Challenging work with amazing impact that contributes to security, peace, and freedom worldwide
• Extraordinary co-workers
• Some of the best tools, equipment, and research facilities in the world
• Career advancement and enrichment opportunities
• Flexible work arrangements for many positions include 9/80 (work 80 hours every two weeks, with every other Friday off) and 4/10 (work 4 ten-hour days each week) compressed workweeks, part-time work, and telecommuting (a mix of onsite work and working from home)
• Generous vacations, strong medical and other benefits, competitive 401k, learning opportunities, relocation assistance and amenities aimed at creating a solid work/life balance*

World-changing technologies. Life-changing careers. Learn more about Sandia at: http://www.sandia.gov*These benefits vary by job classification.

Security Clearance:

Sandia is required by DOE to conduct a pre-employment drug test and background review that includes checks of personal references, credit, law enforcement records, and employment/education verifications. Applicants for employment need to be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q-level security clearance, which requires U.S. citizenship. If you hold more than one citizenship (i.e., of the U.S. and another country), your ability to obtain a security clearance may be impacted.

Applicants offered employment with Sandia are subject to a federal background investigation to meet the requirements for access to classified information or matter if the duties of the position require a DOE security clearance. Substance abuse or illegal drug use, falsification of information, criminal activity, serious misconduct or other indicators of untrustworthiness can cause a clearance to be denied or terminated by DOE, resulting in the inability to perform the duties assigned and subsequent termination of employment.

EEO:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or veteran status and any other protected class under state or federal law.

NNSA Requirements for MedPEDs:

If you have a Medical Portable Electronic Device (MedPED), such as a pacemaker, defibrillator, drug-releasing pump, hearing aids, or diagnostic equipment and other equipment for measuring, monitoring, and recording body functions such as heartbeat and brain waves, if employed by Sandia National Laboratories you may be required to comply with NNSA security requirements for MedPEDs.

If you have a MedPED and you are selected for an on-site interview at Sandia National Laboratories, there may be additional steps necessary to ensure compliance with NNSA security requirements prior to the interview date.

Job ID: 694362

Job Family: 91

Regular/Temporary Position: T

Full/Part-Time Status:

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or veteran status.