The length should be no longer than one-page front and back. Focus on experience that is relevant to the RASS internship position. Class projects and personal projects can be included if they highlight your skillset. Call out specific software, programming languages, and equipment you used in each project/experience description.
Your cover letter can be addressed to “To whom it may concern” or “RASS Hiring Committee.”
Use the cover letter to provide details on how you meet the desired qualifications listed in the job ad. Describe your interest in RASS and multi-disciplinary autonomous and robotic systems. Address you near term academic and professional goals.
Interviews occur in December and January, with final decisions being made by February 5, 2026. Interviews will occur remotely via video conference. Interviews are scheduled for one hour. They start with introductions, an overview of LANL and RASS, behavioral and technical questions, and then the student can ask questions.
Interviews are conducted via video conference. Make sure you are prepared with a good internet connection, speaker, microphone, and camera. The interview will cover both behavior and technical questions. The technical questions will cover a wide range of topics related to robotics and automation; we do not expect students to be able to answer all the questions.
An unofficial transcript is acceptable for application submission.
Information on the student salaries can be found at the Salary Information page.
Students do not receive relocation but will receive travel reimbursement. Direct travel from the student’s university to LANL will be reimbursed. Additional information can be found here at the travel reimbursement page.
There is no housing stipend. Interns receive a salary based on the number of credit hours completed, consult this chart from the Student Programs office for more information.
Summer 2026 RASS internships will start May 26, 2026 and end August 7, 2026.
RASS can accommodate start dates as late as June 15, 2026. If possible, we may have late start dates onboard remotely earlier. Quarter system students may be able to stay until August 14, 2026.
Leaving early from the internship is possible, but you will miss out on presenting your system at the end of the summer.
Applications close January 11, 2026. Applications will not be accepted after this date.
No. RASS internships require the ability to obtain a Q clearance which requires US Citizenship except in extremely rare circumstances. Authorization to access nuclear weapons information may be required which is only available to US or dual citizens except in extremely rare circumstances.
Reach out to applyhelp@lanl.gov or call (505)665-4444, option 1.
