The frequently asked questions below are organized into the following topic areas: internships, housing, and travel.
Q: What is a Sandia internship?
A: A Sandia internship provides an intern with work experience under the direction of a Sandia mentor. Internships vary, depending on the mentor and the type of work involved.
Most of our internships are in technical areas. However, we do have some internships in business areas, as well as some clerical positions. Sandia offers a traditional internship experience, as well as the opportunity to participate in a technical “institute.”Q: What is an institute?
A: Institutes offer internships focused in the technical areas that support Sandia’s mission. Each institute is organized by one or more mentors who work with groups of interns in a specific discipline area on real-world, meaningful projects.
Q: How do I sign up for a specific institute?
A: Click on apply from the top of any page within our site, and you will reach Step 1 of our application process. In Step 1, you will confirm that you meet Sandia’s internship requirements and create an intern profile (IP) that will help us match your background and interests with available Sandia/California internships. From there, you will migrate to Sandia’s corporate employment website to finish the application process. Once we have your information, your profile will be routed to one of our project managers who will review your experience and forward your profile to mentors who may be a match for your interests and/or skills.
Q: Are all intern applicants offered an internship position?
A: Because we have a limited number of internships available during each academic time frame, we are not able to place all applicants. However, we will do our best to place those most closely qualified for the positions we have to offer.
Q: What is the role of a Sandia mentor?
A: A mentor is a Sandia employee who supervises the work of an intern, providing guidance and acting as a role model.
Q: Does Sandia offer a co-op program?
A: Yes, students who participate in a co-op take a semester or quarter off from school to work as an intern. Co-op interns must be full-time students receiving college credit and must meet all other internship requirements. Interns are responsible for making arrangements with their colleges or universities to take time off, but we will help if needed.
Q: Are there professional-development and social activities for interns?
A: Yes. Some professional-development activities are planned during the workday for interns. These activities may include speakers, tours, and some lunchtime social events. In addition, the Intern Island section of our website is available to interns to plan extracurricular social activities during lunchtime or during evening and weekend hours. On Intern Island, you will find both a work calendar and a bulletin board where you can view examples of activities being offered.
Q: How old must an intern be to participate in an internship?
A: 16 years old.
Q: When are internships offered?
A: Our internships are offered at the same time as most academic semesters/quarters.
For those who live within commuting distance, we offer internships that allow students to work year-round.
During the summer, we have our largest influx of student interns.
Q: When does a fall co-op at Sandia/California begin and end?
A: The length of a fall co-op at Sandia generally begins the last week in August and ends the second week in December. You will need to determine exact beginning and ending dates with your school so that you receive the proper credit. Otherwise, please discuss your particular situation with your mentor to arrive at times that best suit both of your needs.
Q: I am not a United States citizen. Can I participate in an internship or co-op?
A: No, at this time, only United States citizens can participate in our internship and co-op programs.
Q: I am interested in an internship; however, my major is not in a technical field. Do I qualify?
A: Yes, we do have some internships in business areas.
Q: I am a high school student. Can I participate in an internship?
A: Yes, we do have limited openings for local high school students (you must be 16 years old) in our CCD program, business areas, and a few miscellaneous areas.
Q: Will Sandia make arrangements for my housing?
A: Sandia does not assume responsibility for arranging housing for interns. However, if you check our website, you will see some options for housing assistance.
Q: Will Sandia provide a health insurance plan?
A: Summer students are not eligible for medical benefits. Year-round post secondary students who are not covered by another medical plan can enroll in the United Health Care Standard PPO plan.
Q: Are interns considered to be employees of the federal government or of Lockheed Martin?
A: Neither. Interns are considered employees of Sandia Corporation.
Q: How many hours does an intern work?
A: Co-op and summer interns work a 40-hour week.
If you work with a mentor who participates in Sandia’s 9/80 flexible scheduling, you may opt for that schedule with your mentor’s permission. In that circumstance, you will work four 9-hour days, Monday through Thursday, each week. One Friday you will work 8 hours, and the next Friday you will be off.
If you are a high school or undergraduate intern living in the area and working part-time while attending school, you may work up to 25 hours a week. Graduate students may work up to 30 hours a week. All part-time interns may work full-time during official school breaks under the supervision of their mentors.
Q: Is my college/university on Sandia’s college recruitment circuit?
A: Please check the recruiting events page of our website, where we list all campus visits and recruiting events.
Q: Is smoking allowed at Sandia?
A: No, smoking is not allowed anywhere on Sandia premises. Sandia is a smoke/tobacco-free facility.
Q: Are interns paid?
A: Yes, interns are paid a salary.
Q: What is the typical compensation for interns at Sandia?
A: Anywhere from $10.50 to $34.90/hr (high school through all graduate levels), depending on the work you are performing and your accumulated school credits.
Interns are responsible for submitting their latest transcripts in order to receive appropriate pay increases. Pay increases are not retroactive if transcripts are submitted late.
College/university interns may receive pay increases at the following stages of their academic credit status:
Q: Will Sandia pay travel expenses from my home to Sandia?
A: Yes. If you live more than 50 miles from Sandia, you can be reimbursed for one round-trip airfare via the most direct route between your home or university and Sandia. If driving, reimbursement is for one round trip on a per-mile basis. Information will be provided in your offer package about Sandia’s travel guidelines. You must adhere to these guidelines in order to be reimbursed.
Q: Are interns compensated for employee holidays?
A: Not at this time.
Q: Does Sandia/California manage the housing process for interns?
A: Sandia is not responsible for managing the housing process for interns. Please see the Intern Housing Resources page for information that will assist you in finding local resources.
Q: How far are the apartments from Sandia?
A: The apartment complexes listed on our site are all within a 5-mile radius of Sandia. However, there are many other options for apartments within a reasonable commute from Sandia. Use the links provided to search for other viable options.
Q: What are my transportation options for getting to Sandia from the apartment complexes and/or getting around the Bay Area?
A: You have several options—
Q: Will Sandia reimburse me for the cost of shipping my personal belongings to my apartment?
A: No, Sandia does not reimburse you for the cost of shipping your personal items. Interns are considered to be temporary employees and do not qualify for the reimbursement of relocation expenses.
Q: Will I be reimbursed for my travel expenses to Sandia?
A: Yes, you will be reimbursed for one round trip via the most direct route between your home or university and Sandia. This includes airfare, shuttle from airport to the apartment, and/or mileage for driving (the most direct route). Check the travel FAQs for reimbursement information.
Q: Who is eligible for travel reimbursement?
A: Travel expenses are reimbursed only for those interns whose school site and permanent address are more than 50 miles from Sandia.
Q: Which airport should I fly into?
A: We suggest flying into Oakland International Airport for the easiest commute to Livermore. The airport in San Jose is a little further, and the San Francisco airport is the farthest of the three Bay Area airports from Livermore.
Q: Whom do I contact to book my air travel?
A: You must use TBIZ for your ticket reservations by calling (866) SNL-TBIZ [(866) 765-8249]. You are not authorized to purchase your own ticket elsewhere; if you do so, you will not be reimbursed.
Q: What information will I need to provide to book my travel?
A: You will need a recruiter’s name and an applicant password. You will find this information in the Travel Guidelines mailed in your hiring package. If you need to make reservations before receiving the guidelines, contact Catherine Marasco at (925) 294-2475 for your recruiter’s name and applicant password. Provide the booking agent with your name, address, phone number, and your travel dates.
Q: What if I don’t know when I am returning home? Do I book a round-trip or a one-way ticket?
A: Book a round-trip ticket. Talk to your mentor ahead of time to agree on a start and end date for your internship so that you can book a round-trip flight. Once your round-trip ticket is issued, any changes will be at YOUR expense unless the change is made for a business purpose.
Q: What if I’m starting off with a personal business trip before coming to Sandia or returning home?
A: TBIZ will require Sandia authorization for travel that includes personal business. Please contact the Student Internship Program office before you start your trip to make those arrangements. Sandia will pay up to the maximum number of trip miles allowed. Anything over that, as a result of leisure/personal business, is the intern’s responsibility.
Q: Will Sandia pay for a shuttle or car rental to and from the airport on my way to Sandia?
A: Yes, Sandia will pay for a one-day Avis rental car, or you can use a shuttle service. Please see the Travel Guidelines for details on how to make these arrangements.
Q: Will Sandia pay for a shuttle or car rental to and from the airport on my way home from Sandia?
A: Yes. For a shuttle, see the list provided on the last page of the Travel Guidelines. For a rental car, call our on-site Avis car rental office at (925) 371-0326. Reservations must be made at least one week in advance. Cars can be picked up at Sandia during the week (M–F, 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.) or in the Pleasanton office on weekends. Avis will require YOUR personal credit card. Be sure to fill the rental car with gas prior to returning the car. Sandia will reimburse you for a one-day car rental only. Save your rental-car receipt. Gas for your rental car is NOT reimbursable.
Q: Will Sandia cover travel expenses if I drive from my home/school to Sandia? How about for my return home?
A: Yes to both. You will be reimbursed mileage for the most direct route to Livermore, Calif., at the corporate rate per mile for one auto, based on the Rand-McNally Travel Website Highway Mileage Guide (see Travel Guidelines for more information).
Q: How much will Sandia reimburse for meal expenses?
A: Sandia will reimburse meal expenses up to $30 per day. Receipts are not required for meal expenses.
Q: How much will Sandia reimburse for lodging expenses?
A: Sandia will reimburse reasonable (i.e., one night of lodging per city) and actual en-route lodging costs at a per diem rate only. For example, if you decide to spend two nights in the same city, you will NOT be reimbursed for the second night’s lodging costs. Check Travel Guidelines for specific information.
Q: How do I get reimbursed for my incoming travel expenses to Sandia?
A: Download the Incoming Travel Expense Voucher Form to receive reimbursement for travel expenses from your home or school to Sandia. Return the completed form to Jan Bachman at MS9904 or Building 911/Room 114H.
Q: How do I get reimbursed for my travel expenses going back home?
A: Download the Outgoing Travel Expense Voucher Form to receive reimbursement for travel expenses from Sandia to your home or school. Complete the form at the end of your trip, and mail it to the following address:
Attn: Jan Bachman
Sandia National Laboratories/California
P.O. Box 969, MS9904
Livermore, CA 94551-0969
Q: What is “per diem?”
A: “Per diem” is Latin for “by the day.” Within the context used above, it is a government-set standard allowance for the daily travel expenses of a government employee.
Q: How should I handle my travel expenses if I will be on business travel for my last day(s) of work?
A: Your office management assistant (OMA) and/or mentor will handle your business-travel expenses. Speak with your OMA for more details.
To receive reimbursement for approved business travel expenses (e.g., hotel) charged to your personal credit card, ask your OMA to complete and submit a Consultant and Other Non-Employee Expense Voucher Form (form SF-4601-C) at the conclusion of your trip. The Student Programs team at the Recruiting, Staffing, and University Partnerships Department (8524) will only cover expenses related to your trip back home. If you will be heading back home directly from your business trip, and your OMA needs a project/task number to complete your reimbursement voucher for your trip back home, please ask your OMA to contact Jan Bachman at (925) 294-4660 or Catherine Marasco at (925) 294-2475.