NSIP Masters Internship - Emerging Threats & Technologies Division - Remote Eligible

Internship Opportunities

At PNNL, our core capabilities are divided among major departments that we refer to as Directorates within the Lab, focused on a specific area of scientific research or other function, with its own leadership team and dedicated budget.

Our Science & Technology directorates include National Security, Earth and Biological Sciences, Physical and Computational Sciences, and Energy and Environment. In addition, we have an Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, a Department of Energy, Office of Science user facility housed on the PNNL campus.

The Emerging Threats and Technologies Division, part of the National Security Directorate, consists of over 400 scientists, engineers, and analysts with backgrounds in cyber, nuclear, intelligence, policy, data science, and other fields. We work in interdisciplinary project teams to provide innovative concepts that integrate policy, analytics, science, and technology into unique solutions.

Protecting U.S. residents and visitors is among our nation’s highest priorities. As adversaries gain access to sophisticated technologies and materials, the threats grow more dynamic and complex—from cyber and nuclear to chemical and biological weapons of mass effect and other forms of terrorism. The PNNL national security mission employs our researchers, tools, and technologies to play a key role in advancing the ability to identify and secure nuclear materials, detect weapons of mass effect, manage nonproliferation treaties, secure our nation's borders, and protect critical infrastructures. PNNL’s scientific discovery and capabilities—rooted in innovative theory, methods, algorithms, and tools—are enabling stronger, more resilient technologies and systems to safeguard national security. Coupled with decades of radiological and nuclear materials expertise, advanced computing and threat analysis capabilities, and a broad fundamental science base, we are identifying and countering emerging threats that have significant impact at home and around the globe.

PNNL is seeking interns for assignments within the National Security Internship Program (NSIP). The Emerging Threats & Technologies Division is looking for individuals who have a passion for solving critical national challenges using advanced techniques. The intern will be given an opportunity to be presented with complex problems in national security, energy, and science; apply cutting-edge research and analysis to make our nation safer and stronger.

Your internship can be in one of several technical groups:

• Cyber Resilience Foundations: The Cyber Resilience Foundations group works with government and private sector stakeholders to quickly adapt to new technology spaces, understand how their introduction into specialized domains affects system security postures, and create solutions to improve their resilience to new technologies.
• Cyber Risk Reduction: The Cyber Risk Reduction group performs applied research leveraging PNNL capabilities in hardware, software, and firmware security to benefit sectors critical to national security by figuring out how to deconstruct, evaluate, and improve complex systems and develop tools, practices, and skills to meet these challenges.
• Innovative Security Solutions: The evolving technology landscape is transforming the realm of physical protection and incident response, presenting new challenges such as the convergence of physical and cybersecurity threats. These interconnected domains require innovative methods to safeguard IT systems, materials, and vital infrastructure from increasingly complex risks. The Innovative Security Solutions group addresses these challenges by providing critical solutions and support for securing key assets through conventional countermeasures, while also advancing techniques to navigate the complexities of blended security environments. By leveraging operational expertise in asset protection, the group tackles the intricacies of converged security by integrating cyber and physical threat assessments and developing mitigations that enhance the protection of nuclear material and critical infrastructure.
• Global Research Analysis: The Global Research Analysis group leverages national laboratory expertise in mission threats, science and technology, and cultural context to identify emerging and monitor existing technologies and provide decision makers the context and understanding critical to national security.
• Strategic Threat Analysis: The Strategic Threat Analysis (STA) group leverages partnerships around the world and expertise spanning multiple domains to address complex domestic and international security challenges. STA equips decision makers with nuanced insights and mitigation strategies in a rapidly evolving threat landscape shaped by emergent adversaries and technologies. Our experts bring a deep understanding of technical analysis, nonproliferation, risk and resilience, strategic trade controls, and regional affairs, delivering solutions that address gaps in legal frameworks, outdated approaches, and vulnerabilities within international systems and institutions.
• Mission Alignment: Bringing together senior technical and strategic advisors as a division-level advisory body to help tune and execute strategy through dedicated leadership. Working across the division’s capability areas to capture emerging programmatic opportunities, coach and mentor staff on strategy and business development, support the development and execution of division strategy, and develop strategic new sponsor relationships.

Positions are available in Richland, WA and Seattle, WA, based on business need. Positions may also be performed remotely or on campus at PNNL based on business need.

****HOW TO APPLY****

To have a complete application package, the (2) listed items below are required and must be uploaded correctly per the steps below for consideration:

Step 1: Upload Resume or CV in “Resume” section only (note: If applying to multiple positions, the most recent resume uploaded will be used for all positions an applicant applies to).

Step 2: Upload a Cover Letter separately in “Additional Documents” section of the application titled “ET&T - Summer 2026 NSIP Cover Letter”.

• Cover letter should include: Statement of interest, reference relevant college courses, and relevant experience that may include extracurricular activities that have prepared you for this career.

If any of the components (resume and cover letter) are not uploaded per the instructions above, applications will be rejected and will no longer be considered. Electronic applications will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. (PST) on the posting close date.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Candidates must be matriculated/enrolled in a Master's program at an accredited college or university.
• Minimum GPA of 3.3 is required.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Disciplines of Interest: Cybersecurity, Cyber Security Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, Information Systems, Network Engineering, Network Architecture, Network Security, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Information Assurance, Industrial Control Systems (ICS), Cyber-Physical Systems, Physical Security, Security Engineering, Risk Management, Homeland Security, Nuclear Engineering, Physics, Engineering Physics, Applied Science, Data Analytics, Data Science, Economics, Finance, International Relations, International Affairs, Security Studies, Public Policy, Law and Policy, Nonproliferation and International Security.

This position involves access to sensitive systems and information. U.S. Citizenship is required. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory is subject to the Department of Energy Unclassified Foreign Visits & Assignments Program site, information, technologies, and equipment access requirements.

This is not a Testing Designated Position (TDP).

About PNNL

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is a world-class research institution powered by a highly educated, diverse workforce committed to the values of Integrity, Creativity, Collaboration, Impact, and Courage. Every year, scores of dynamic, driven people come to PNNL to work with renowned researchers on meaningful science, innovations and outcomes for the U.S. Department of Energy and other sponsors; here is your chance to be one of them!

At PNNL, you will find an exciting research environment and excellent benefits including health insurance, and flexible work schedules. PNNL is located in eastern Washington State—the dry side of Washington known for its stellar outdoor recreation and affordable cost of living. The Lab’s campus is only a 45-minute flight (or ~3 hour drive) from Seattle or Portland, and is serviced by the convenient PSC airport, connected to 8 major hubs.

Our laboratory is committed to fostering a work environment where all individuals are treated with fairness and respect while solving critical challenges in fundamental sciences, national security, and energy resiliency. We are an Equal Employment Opportunity employer.

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. PNNL considers all applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetic information (including family medical history), protected veteran status, and any other status or characteristic protected by federal, state, and/or local laws.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures and in employment. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, contact us at careers@pnnl.gov.

PNNL is committed to a drug-free workplace supported by Workplace Substance Abuse Program (WSAP) and complies with federal laws prohibiting the possession and use of illegal drugs.

As a national laboratory, PNNL is responsible for adhering to the Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which require new employees to obtain and maintain a HSPD-12 Personal Identify Verification (PIV) Credential. To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete the applicable tier of federal background investigation post hire and receive a favorable federal adjudication. The tier of federal background investigation will