Inertia
Summer 2027 Internship
Livermore. Posted 4 days ago
The role
Interns work on real R&D projects with a dedicated mentor. You will own a scoped project and present results at an end-of-summer poster session.
What you will do
- Model target performance, laser–plasma interactions, and fusion chamber conditions.
- Design and model neutron, gamma-ray, and x-ray imaging diagnostics.
- Study laser damage in optics and coatings.
- Test and analyze failures in pump diodes.
- Build laser and optical design models.
- Develop processes for low-cost optics fabrication.
- Use model-based systems engineering to map fusion pilot plant functions.
- Build control, timing, data acquisition, and storage software.
- Build internal tools, ML and data pipelines, and AI agents.
- Design, prototype, and test precision hardware.
Required qualifications
- Current enrollment in a MS or PhD program in physics, applied physics, mechanical, electrical, nuclear, or optical engineering, materials science, chemistry, computer science, applied math, or a relat
- Experience programming or analyzing data in Python, MATLAB, C++, or a similar language.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Ability to explain results clearly.
- Curiosity about fusion, lasers, or energy.
- Willingness to learn unfamiliar physics and tools.
- Comfort working on a fast-moving, collaborative team.
Nice to have
- Coursework or experience in plasma physics, optics, radiation detection, numerical methods, or materials.
- CAD, machining, or hands-on lab experience.
- Linux, C++ or Fortran, high-performance computing, or machine learning.
- Experience with diagnostics, controls, data acquisition, or automation.
Before you apply
- Employment is conditioned on eligibility for, obtaining and maintaining appropriate government authorization to access technology or information, including security clearance, export license, or other
About the company
Inertia is commercializing fusion by leveraging the successful achievement of fusion ignition pioneered at the U.S. Department of Energy’s Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL).