Electrical Engineering Intern

Headquartered in Boulder Colorado the National Solar Observatory (NSO) is an NSF national research and development center dedicated to advancing our understanding of the Sun and its influence on Earth and the solar system. NSO operates and supports worldâclass solar telescopes enabling cuttingâedge research in solar physics and heliophysics. The observatory is and facilities managed by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) a consortium of 49 U.S. institutions and three international affiliates that operates premier astronomical observatories worldwide.

One of NSOs flagship programs is the NSF Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) the worlds largest and most advanced solar telescope. Located on the summit of HaleakalÄ in Maui HawaiÊi DKIST completed construction and began operations in November 2021. Designed to address fundamental questions about the Sun and its complex magnetic fields DKIST represents a major scientific investment and a cornerstone of NSOs mission.

We are seeking an Electrical Engineering Intern to play a vital role in developing building and testing instruments and components that ensure the reliability of mission-critical systems and help drive discoveries that deepen our understanding of the Sun.

This position is located in Boulder on the University of Colorados east campus. This is a summer semester internship working 30-40 hours a week with the possibility of part-time work during the school year.

The Electrical Engineering Intern will work closely with the Daniel K Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) scientists engineers and technicians to support the design development installation troubleshooting and maintenance of instrumentation systems and components that are crucial for observational and data collection capabilities. A hands-on learning experience for students in a unique setting contributing directly to solar research and technology development.

The Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) is a consortium of over 40 US institutions and four international affiliates that operates world-class astronomical observatories. AURAs role is to establish nurture and promote public observatories and facilities that advance innovative astronomical research. AURAs National Solar Observatory (NSO) Daniel K. Inouye Solar Telescope (DKIST) completed construction and started operations on November 2021 on the summit of Haleakala in Hawaii. DKIST is the worlds largest and most advanced solar telescope.

Essential Functions

• Support the design development installation troubleshooting and maintenance of instrument electrical electronics and motion control hardware and systems.
• Perform fabrication assembly and installation of instrumentation cabling power distribution electronics printed circuit boards (PCBs) and motion control hardware. Create and update instrument system documentation and schematic drawings.
• Procurement of parts and equipment.
• Maintain laboratory bench stock consumables spares tools and test equipment.
• Summer/Fall semester internship: 30-40 hours/week
• All AURA employees are responsible for the proper management and control of all AURA property within their work area whether assigned to them or someone else. This responsibility includes reporting any known missing stolen or non-working property in their work area to their supervisor or the AURA Property
• Responsible for ensuring compliance with government award terms and conditions assigned to this position or subordinates of this position.

Other Functions

• Other duties as

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger handle or feel and talk or hear.
• The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; reach with hands and arms and stoop; kneel; crouch; or crawl.
• The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Must possess - sufficient mobility strength or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) reach upward sideways downward to work with paper files; b) sufficient mobility and dexterity to utilize computer systems fax machines copiers and other office machines.
• Must possess 1) ability to read and understand instructions drawings safety guides and other written materials necessary to perform job; 2) sufficient visual capacity to perform the applicable functions without assistance of visual aids other than eye contacts or eye glasses; 3) sufficient spoken aural capacity to hear and understand instructions warning bells fire alarms or shouted instructions without assistance of auditory aids other than a hearing aid; and 4) ability to impart information orally so that others understand and can respond appropriately
• Must possess sufficient mobility strength or dexterity in both arms and hands and both legs to a) grasp push pull turn or otherwise manipulate tools and mechanisms; b) push shove pull or otherwise safely and efficiently manipulate tools or mechanisms; c) lift hold maneuver objects of 50 lbs or more; d) maintain balance while performing work; e) remove parts systems tools of 50 lbs or more.
• There will be occasional working at height utilizing appropriate PPE.
• The position will be based at the Haleakala (DKIST) facility and ability to work at 10000 elevation sometimes during inclement weather is required.

Salary Range

$20.00- $25.00 per hour. The final salary will depend on skills qualifications and experience.

AURA offers an excellent benefits package including paid time off and retirement plan contributions competitive salary commensurate with experience and very attractive work environment. Details on benefits can be found atBenefits by Location - Aura Human Resources.

How to Apply

Apply by May 18 2026for priority consideration. This position will remain open until it is filled. Please submit a cover letter and a CV or resume PDF files preferred. Please name any attachments with the following format: LastName DocName.

Individuals needing assistance with the employment process can request assistancehere.

Required Experience:

Intern