Manufacturing & Process EngineeringProcess Engineering
About the job
Requirements
Interest in and some exposure to vacuum systems, lasers, optics, or experimental hardware through coursework, labs, or projects.
Basic familiarity with instrumentation and data acquisition, such as using sensors, lab equipment, or simple control/data acquisition systems in a laboratory environment.
Willingness to learn and assist with troubleshooting experimental setups while working with senior team members.
Strong attention to detail in data recording, equipment handling, and following written procedures and checklists.
Awareness of laboratory safety principles, including chemical handling, basic radiation safety, and personal protective equipment usage.
Ability to work collaboratively in a laboratory team, take direction and guidance from senior experimentalists, and ask clarifying questions when needed.
Basic proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools such as Excel; familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
Willingness to work in a fast-paced research and development environment with evolving priorities, experimental schedules, and hands-on laboratory tasks.
Currently pursuing a B.S., M.S., or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or another relevant technical discipline.
Responsibilities
Assist with the design, control, and instrumentation architectures for laser-based isotope enrichment experiments, including defining measurement requirements, selecting sensors and gauges, and planning integration of vacuum, thermal, and laser subsystems.
Contribute to defining the experimental design space by helping specify key parameters, including pressure, temperature, laser power, and flow conditions, and their allowable ranges for subsequent modeling, virtual experiments, and limited physical tests.
Help develop and refine predictive models and analysis tools, such as parameter maps, response surfaces, and simple surrogate models, describing how experimental outputs depend on operating conditions and informing test planning and optimization.
Support planning laser enrichment test campaigns, including drafting run matrices, defining parameter scan strategies, identifying critical measurements, and determining minimal validation experiments needed to test model predictions.
Plan and structure data collection workflows by defining which experimental parameters will be monitored, how they will be logged, and how they will be organized for later model calibration and analysis.
Maintain accurate technical documentation for system designs and models, including instrumentation layouts, vacuum and laser configuration drawings, calibration plans, maintenance schedules, and test matrices in accordance with company procedures.
Desired Qualifications
Prior hands-on experience with vacuum equipment or laser systems is a plus.
Deeper experience with instrumentation and data acquisition is a plus.
Completion of at least sophomore year before the internship starts is preferred.
Prior experience in experimental design and operations, such as a university research laboratory, hands-on course laboratory, or personal or team engineering projects, is a plus but not required.
This is a hands-on internship designed to provide practical experience supporting the design and execution of laser-based quantum enrichment experiments. The intern will work closely with mid-career and lead experimentalists, contributing to experimental setup, operation, and data collection while developing foundational skills in experimental laser systems, vacuum hardware, and instrumentation. The role focuses on learning through supervised, real world laboratory work, including assisting with equipment assembly, calibration, troubleshooting, and experimental runs. The internship offers exposure to isotope separation technologies in a fast-paced R&D environment and is well suited for students or early career individuals seeking to build technical laboratory experience. Role is based in Austin, TX.
Legal & Compliance Notice Regulatory & Export Control Notice Quantum Leap Energy (QLE) conducts business in the nuclear technology and advanced materials sectors, which are subject to strict export control, non-proliferation, and national security regulations.
Employment with QLE may require compliance with one or more of the following regulatory frameworks, depending on work location and role scope:
United States: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) under the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS).
United Kingdom: Office for Nuclear Regulation (ONR), Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), and UK Strategic Export Control regulations administered by the Export Control Joint Unit (ECJU).
South Africa: National Nuclear Regulator (NNR), Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE), and Non-Proliferation Council regulations under the Non-Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction Act.
Certain positions may require “U.S. person” status (as defined by 10 CFR Part 810 or EAR Part 772) and/or the ability to obtain and maintain applicable export control authorizations or security clearances. QLE complies with all relevant national and international export control, non-proliferation, and security requirements in every jurisdiction in which it operates.
Equal Opportunity Statement Quantum Leap Energy (QLE) is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. All employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Responsibilities
Assist with the design, control and instrumentation architectures for laser-based isotope enrichment experiments, including defining measurement requirements, selecting sensors and gauges, and planning integration of vacuum, thermal, and laser subsystems.
Contribute to the upfront definition of the experimental design space by helping specify key parameters (e.g., pressure, temperature, laser power, flow conditions) and their allowable ranges for subsequent modeling, virtual experiments, and limited physical tests.
Help develop and refine predictive models and analysis tools (e.g., parameter maps, response surfaces, simple surrogate models) that describe how experimental outputs depend on operating conditions, informing test planning and optimization.
Support the experimental team in planning laser enrichment test campaigns, including drafting run matrices, defining parameter scan strategies, identifying critical measurements, and determining minimal validation experiments needed to test model predictions.
Plan and structure data collection workflows by defining which experimental parameters will be monitored, how they will be logged, and how they will be organized for later model calibration and analysis.
Maintain clear and accurate technical documentation for system designs and models, including instrumentation layouts, vacuum and laser configuration drawings, calibration plans, maintenance schedules, and test matrices in accordance with company procedures.
Requirements
Interest in and some exposure to vacuum systems, lasers, optics, or experimental hardware through coursework, labs, or projects; prior hands-on experience with vacuum equipment or laser systems is a plus.
Basic familiarity with instrumentation and data acquisition (e.g., using sensors, lab equipment, or simple control/DAQ systems in a lab environment); deeper experience is a plus.
Willingness to learn and assist with troubleshooting experimental setups, working with senior team members · Strong attention to detail particularly in data recording, equipment handling, and following written procedures and checklists.
Awareness of laboratory safety principles (chemical handling, radiation safety basics, PPE usage) from university labs or equivalent; additional safety training will be provided on the job.
Effective communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a lab team, take direction and guidance from senior experimentalists, and ask clarifying questions when clarifications needed.
Basic proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools such as Excel; familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools.
Willingness to work in a fast-paced R&D environment with evolving priorities, experimental schedules, and hands-on lab tasks.
Currently pursuing a B.S., M.S., or PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or another relevant technical discipline.
Completion of at least sophomore year prior to the start of the internship is preferred.
Prior experience in experimental design and operations (e.g., university research lab, hands-on course lab, personal or team engineering projects) is a plus but not required.