15 STEM Internships for Undergraduates in New Mexico
Internships are one of the most effective ways to translate what you learn in the classroom into career-ready skills. By working on projects, collaborating with professionals, and navigating workplace expectations, you strengthen your resume and build a track record that graduate schools and employers value. An internship allows you to test your interest in a specific field, refine your technical abilities, and develop soft skills such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. For STEM majors, experience in research labs, engineering teams, data sets, or fieldwork can build your professional profile and clarify your long-term goals.
Why should I do a STEM internship in college?
A STEM internship gives you experience that goes beyond coursework, allowing you to work with advanced tools, methodologies, and research frameworks used in industry and academia. You gain exposure to professional standards, including documentation practices, lab safety protocols, coding workflows, data analysis pipelines, and engineering design processes. This experience not only strengthens your technical competency but also makes you more competitive for full-time roles, research assistantships, and graduate programs. Employers prioritize candidates who can demonstrate practical impact, whether that means contributing to a research publication, supporting a product prototype, or analyzing data.
To help you navigate your options, we’ve narrowed down a list of the 15 best STEM internships for undergraduates in New Mexico, focusing on programs that offer substantive work, mentorship, and skill development.
1. Onsite STEM Intern — Build & Analyze Real Tools
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: Typically 10–12 weeks, starting approximately June 1 through mid-August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a STEM degree program with strong communication and teamwork skills; (16+ or 18+, depending on lab hazards); GPA: Minimum 3.0–3.2 cumulative
The Onsite STEM Intern position at Los Alamos National Laboratory places you within one of the nation’s leading research institutions, where you support high-impact engineering and scientific projects. As an intern, you work alongside multidisciplinary teams across various research divisions, contributing to initiatives that address complex national and technological challenges. Depending on your placement, you may assist with building and testing experimental systems, analyzing technical data, supporting engineering design processes, or refining research tools and methodologies. The internship emphasizes applied problem-solving, technical rigor, and collaboration in a professional laboratory setting.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote (accessible worldwide)
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap-year students able to commit 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a competitive, fully virtual internship that places you with startups and nonprofit organizations addressing active operational and technical challenges. Rather than shadowing professionals or completing hypothetical case studies, you take ownership of a defined project aligned with your host organization’s real objectives. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to engineering development, product research, data analysis, software implementation, or operations strategy. You work under the guidance of a designated supervisor who provides structured mentorship, regular performance feedback, and milestone-based accountability. The program emphasizes independent problem-solving, professional communication, and the delivery of measurable outcomes within a remote work environment. Apply now!
3. Supercomputer Institute Internship
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Stipend: Paid hourly based on academic progress; $22.57/hour (<60 credits) to $35.11/hour (60+ credits)
Dates: May 26 – August 7
Application Deadline: First Tuesday in January
Eligibility: Undergraduate students (typically rising juniors or seniors), master’s students
The Supercomputer Institute is an 11-week paid internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory, where you learn high-performance computing (HPC) system administration. You will cover topics like Linux operating systems, high-speed networking, and parallel filesystems. Your main activities include completing a three-week boot camp where your team builds a working mini-supercomputer from scratch using raw cables and hardware, followed by working on research projects with staff mentors. You will also design a technical poster and give a public presentation on your findings. The program requires absolutely no prior HPC experience, making it highly accessible.
4. Engineering Undergraduate Internship Program
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, New Mexico
Stipend: Paid hourly, rates are tiered by credit hours
Dates: Summer: 10 weeks (May – August); Fall: 16 weeks (August – December); Spring: 16 weeks (January – May)
Application Deadline: Summer: February 13; Fall Term: May; Spring Term: October
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in an engineering or related STEM program; Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 or 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (depending on specific project)
The Engineering Undergraduate Internship Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory offers you the opportunity to contribute to hands-on experimental research in a national laboratory setting. In this role, you support engineering projects, gaining exposure to applied research that addresses complex scientific and technical challenges. Your responsibilities may include setting up and operating molten salt experiments, conducting controlled laboratory procedures, and assisting with the handling, casting, and drying of specialized materials. You may also support electrochemical research efforts by helping design and assemble experimental systems, preparing test setups, and assisting with data collection and analysis.
5. AFRL Scholars Program
Location: Albuquerque, NM
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by academic level and appointment type; check here
Dates: Summer, Fall, and Spring cohorts available
Application Deadline: Varies based on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduate students with good academic standing, U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old; more information here
The AFRL Scholars Program at Kirtland Air Force Base places you inside one of the Department of the Air Force’s premier research environments. As an undergraduate scholar, you will work with AFRL scientists and engineers on research projects in areas such as directed energy, space vehicles, aerospace systems, materials science, cybersecurity, and advanced electronics. Rather than observing from the sidelines, you contribute to defined research objectives by conducting experimental testing, modeling and simulation, data analysis, or prototype development. You are paired with a technical mentor who guides your project scope, provides structured feedback, and supports your professional development throughout the program.
6. SomosSTEM
Location: New Mexico Highlands University and local community partner sites
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Dates: Academic-year programming; 9-week summer internship for sophomores
Application Deadline: Typically early spring (late February to March)
Eligibility: NMHU undergraduate sophomores (internships) and students in life sciences
SomosSTEM (“We are STEM”) is a National Science Foundation–funded initiative at New Mexico Highlands University designed to engage you in community-based life science research early in your undergraduate career. The program integrates Course-based Undergraduate Research Experiences (CUREs) into introductory biology courses, allowing you to conduct research as part of your regular lab curriculum. Beyond the classroom, SomosSTEM Fellows activities provide experiential learning opportunities throughout the academic year, connecting you with faculty and local STEM partners through place-based research and service projects. Sophomores can apply for the nine-week summer internship program, where they are paired with a mentor from a local nonprofit, business, or government agency.
7. NM-INBRE Summer Internship Program
Location: Participating home institutions across New Mexico, University of New Mexico (UNM), or New Mexico State University (NMSU)
Stipend: $18/hour
Dates: June 3 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Continuing undergraduate students enrolled at eligible New Mexico or RAIN institutions; must be enrolled in the fall semester following the internship; 18 years old by May 1; eligible to work in the U.S.
The NM-INBRE Summer Internship Program offers you a full-time, paid research experience under the guidance of a faculty mentor. You will work on a defined research project either at your home institution (if eligible) or at UNM or NMSU, depending on your application pathway. Throughout the summer, you participate in NM-INBRE–organized professional development programming, which may include workshops, seminars, and skill-building sessions delivered in person or remotely. In addition to conducting mentored research, you prepare and present your findings at the NM-INBRE symposium at the end of the program, gaining experience in scientific communication and formal research dissemination. If you are placed at UNM or NMSU, housing is provided as needed.
8. DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internships (SULI)
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory (Los Alamos, NM) and Sandia National Laboratories (Albuquerque, NM)
Stipend: $650/week
Dates: Summer (10 weeks), Fall (16 weeks), and Spring (16 weeks)
Application Deadline: Spring: October 1; Fall: May 20; Summer: January 7
Eligibility: Current full-time undergraduate student at an accredited 2-year or 4-year institution (or recent graduate within 2 years of degree); U.S. Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents; 18 years of age or older; completed at least one college semester and a minimum of 6 credit hours in STEM courses; minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale
In this internship, you will work directly at premier facilities like Los Alamos or Sandia National Laboratories, where you can expect to explore a broad range of STEM topics, including clean energy, environmental science, computational modeling, materials research, engineering, and physics. During your internship, you will conduct guided experiments, operate advanced laboratory equipment, attend specialized scientific seminars, and present your final research findings. The program gives you direct access to world-class national laboratory infrastructure and one-on-one mentorship from leading government scientists. Through this hands-on experience, you will build advanced data analysis, experimental design, and technical scientific communication skills.
9. NMSU Cooperative Extension Summer Internships
Location: Various communities throughout New Mexico
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed + travel allowance
Dates: May 26 – August 14
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate (and graduate) students who are currently enrolled at New Mexico State University
The NMSU Cooperative Extension Summer Internship is a paid, 12-week program where you work full-time alongside county experts in local New Mexico communities. You will explore diverse topics, including agriculture, animal, plant, water, and forestry sciences, as well as ecology, horticulture, community development, health, nutrition, IT, digital media, and 4-H youth programs. In this role, you will work on tagging livestock for local fairs, teaching classes to residents, and creating digital media series. The internship takes you out of the lab and places you directly into real-world, county-level environments.
10. Intern – R&D Undergraduate Summer, Metallurgy & Welding Engineering
Location: Albuquerque, NM (onsite)
Stipend: ≤60 completed college units: $21.90 – $25.93; ≥ 61 completed college units: $27.88 – $33.01
Dates: Summer term (full-time, up to 40 hours per week)
Application Deadline: Open for a minimum of 7 days from posting date; may be extended
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in accredited STEM programs; minimum GPA 3.0/4.0; must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE security clearance; U.S. citizenship required
The R&D Undergraduate Summer Internship in Metallurgy & Welding Engineering at Sandia National Laboratories places you within the principal organization for metallurgy research and development across the lab. You will support projects that apply both fundamental and applied physical metallurgy principles to national security challenges, with exposure to areas such as laser welding, failure analysis, mechanical testing, and materials performance evaluation. In this role, you apply core materials science concepts to real-world engineering problems. You may help develop process parameters, conduct laboratory experiments, prepare and analyze metallographic samples, and interpret microscopy images.
11. Undergraduate Hypersonics Summer Internship Program
Location: Los Alamos, NM (onsite)
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by academic level and appointment
Dates: Summer term (typically 10–12 weeks between late May/early June and August)
Application Deadline: Mid-February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing a degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, or Materials Engineering, Physics, or Applied Math; U.S. citizenship typically required for lab access; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; pass a pre-employment drug test
The Undergraduate Hypersonics Summer Internship Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory immerses you in research focused on high-speed aerodynamics, extreme materials performance, and advanced computational modeling. As an intern, you will join technical teams working on hypersonic systems, where vehicles travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5, requiring expertise in fluid dynamics, thermal protection systems, materials science, and high-performance computing. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to wind tunnel data analysis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, materials testing under extreme thermal and mechanical loads, or experimental diagnostics development.
12. ESH&Q Undergraduate Student Internship
Location: Los Alamos, NM (onsite)
Stipend: Paid; compensation varies by academic level and appointment
Dates: Summer: Typically 10 weeks (May – August); Year-Round: Flexible start dates for local or continuing students
Application Deadline: Summer: Typically early February (Rolling reviews begin in December/January)
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in accredited STEM programs; U.S. citizenship may be required depending on assignment; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
The ESHQ (Environment, Safety, Health, and Quality) Undergraduate Student Internship at Los Alamos National Laboratory gives you hands-on experience supporting laboratory safety, environmental compliance, and quality assurance initiatives within a national research environment. In this role, you will work alongside ESHQ professionals to help ensure that scientific and engineering operations meet federal, state, and institutional standards. Depending on your assignment, you may assist with safety assessments, data collection, and analysis related to environmental monitoring, review procedural documentation, support hazard evaluations, or contribute to quality improvement processes.
13. Undergraduate Student (ST 1/2) Internship
Location: Los Alamos, NM (onsite; specific division varies)
Stipend: Paid; compensation based on academic standing and credit hours
Dates: Summer: Typically 10–12 weeks starting mid-May to early June; Year-round appointments are also available
Application Deadline: Mid-April
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in accredited STEM degree programs; minimum 3.0 cumulative on a 4.0 scale; Credits: ST.1 (< 60 credits); ST.2 (60+ credits); must be a full-time student (12+ credits per semester); must pass a pre-employment drug test
The Undergraduate Student (UGS) Internship Program at Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) in New Mexico is often categorized by job codes ST.1 (Freshman/Sophomore) and ST.2 (Junior/Senior). It provides you with hands-on research or technical experience within a nationally recognized scientific institution. As an intern, you are placed within a laboratory division aligned with your academic background, ranging from engineering and computational sciences to physics, materials science, environmental research, or applied mathematics. In this role, you may assist with experimental setup and testing, computational modeling, data analysis, software development, or technical documentation.
14. Intern – R&D Undergraduate Year–round – Monitoring Systems Technology Intern Center (MSTIC)
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico (Onsite at Kirtland Air Force Base)
Stipend: ≤60 completed college units: $21.90 – $25.93; ≥ 61 completed college units: $27.88 – $33.01
Dates: Year-round (Flexible start and end dates)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in accredited STEM programs; minimum GPA 3.0/4.0; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, U.S. asylees, or refugees
In the MSTIC year-round internship at Sandia National Laboratories, you will dive into critical topics like remote sensing, nuclear nonproliferation, treaty verification, and space missions. Throughout the program, you will design advanced data processing software, test complex analysis systems, and support multi-disciplinary satellite engineering projects. A uniquely practical feature of this role is its year-round format, allowing you to seamlessly maintain part-time work during your school year and transition to full-time hours during the summer. By collaborating in these high-caliber security teams, you will quickly develop foundational skills in project management, technical research, and effective workplace communication.
15. Center for Cyber Defenders (CCD) Internship
Location: Albuquerque, New Mexico (Sandia National Laboratories)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not disclosed
Dates: Summer (typically 10–12 weeks from May to August) or Year-Round (part-time during the academic term)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related fields; minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative GPA; full-time enrollment status at an accredited college or university; U.S. citizenship required (to obtain a DOE security clearance); at least 16 years of age
The Center for Cyber Defenders (CCD) internship at Sandia National Laboratories is an immersive program that places you on the front lines of national security research. You will explore critical topics ranging from enterprise security and industrial control systems to data science, cloud applications, and hardware reverse engineering. Throughout the program, you will work on conducting network traffic analysis, writing scripts to automate malware reverse-engineering, and exposing vulnerabilities in widely used software systems. A genuinely unique feature of the CCD is its collaborative structure, which allows you to solve unclassified pieces of real-world national security puzzles alongside world-recognized experts.
Image source - Los Alamos National Laboratory logo