Job Description Summary: The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) Earth Observing Laboratory (EOL) seeks UNDERGRADUATE Engineering students to participate as interns in the Summer Undergraduate Program for Engineering Research (SUPER).
The 2026 SUPER internship will run for 11 weeks, from May 18 - July 31, 2026.
Interns work hands-on with NCAR/EOL engineers on developing atmospheric observing systems such as radar, lidar, and sounding systems, and associated software developments involving data analysis, visualization, and management. Each intern is matched with a unique engineering research project involving an EOL observational platform, promoting learning, contributing to their field of study, and gaining exposure to atmospheric science applications.
Web link: https://www.eol.ucar.edu/who-we-are/career-and-internships/internships/summer-undergraduate-program-engineering-research
Position Details:
Visa Sponsored Job:
Relocation Assistance Eligible:
Job Location:
Boulder, Colorado
Position Type & Term:
Full time, Term - Casual (Fixed Term)
Compensation Min - Mid Range:
Hourly Rate: $23.41
Application Notes
Job Location: Boulder, CO
Job Type: In Person - Interns are required to be on site and available for the entire duration of the internship (11 weeks)
Porition Term: The 2026 SUPER internship will run for 11 weeks, from May 18 - July 31, 2026. Interns are expected to work full-time (40 hours per week) during the 11-week summer program
Visa sponsorship is NOT available for this position.
Application Deadline: This position will receive applications until January 19, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Mountain Time.
Required application materials:
Resume + GPA - Applicants must submit a resume that includes their GPA
Questionnaire - Applicants must complete a questionnaire as part of the application process. Please note that questionnaires with incomplete answers will not be considered.
Background Checks: Conducted for candidates selected for hire. Learn more (https://www.ucar.edu/opportunities/careers/faqs) .
What You Will Do
Here is a brief summary of what one would expect to be generally responsible for in this role.
Research: Interns will be chosen to work on selected projects based on their skills and academic background. They will collaborate closely with EOL engineers to contribute to real-world research and development. Engineering projects at NCAR are unique each year.
Reports and Presentations: At the conclusion of the summer program, each intern prepares a poster presentation of their work.
Community and Professional Behavior: SUPER interns work, reside together, and are part of a larger UCAR and NCAR summer interns community. SUPER interns are expected to contribute positively to the UCAR/NCAR community, conduct themselves appropriately and professionally, and adhere to UCAR's Code of Conduct. Interns are expected to participate fully during regular office hours, SUPER functions, and while traveling for the internship.
Each intern will be assigned a mentor and will interact with other summer interns.
Previous SUPER interns have made significant contributions to a variety of projects: Designed object-oriented software for controlling particle analysis instruments Developed wind profiling radar receivers and characterized their performance Upgraded software for processing and quality control of atmospheric-sounding data Evaluated amplifier components for ground-based LIDAR platforms* Designed and characterized multilayer aircraft radomes for atmospheric radar applications
Who We'd Love To Join Our Team
Successful candidates will ensure their application materials speak to the following criteria:
Education and Experience (Required):
MUST be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student in sophomore year or above (no Freshman) in an accredited US university or college with a major/concentration in any of the following disciplines:
Computer Science or Software Engineering
Electrical Engineering
Optical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Other engineering or mixed engineering disciplines
The majority of projects require skills typically found in computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering .
However, limited opportunities may exist for interns with specialized knowledge in optical or mechanical engineering.
Education and Experience Desired but not Required:
Have completed two or three years of relevant college courses, have some basic research and programming experience, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher (on a 5.0 scale).
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities REQUIRED:
Ability to work full-time (40 hours per week) during the 11-week summer program
Basic knowledge, through coursework, of engineering concepts.
Good problem-solving skills.
Ability and willingness to learn and use scientific and engineering computing tools and programs.
Ability to work as part of the team.
Good oral and written communication skills.
Ability to interact with mentors and peers in a manner that supports collaboration and inquiry.
Knowledge of basic office and communication software (e.g., G Suite, email clients).
Ability and willingness to work within the organization's guidelines and policies, and within the assigned work groups.
Housing Information:
SUPER interns will reside together in EOL-paid apartments in Boulder, CO, within biking distance of the NCAR Foothills Campus.
Projects at EOL's Research Aviation Facility(RAF) at the Rocky Mountain Metropolitan Airport (RMMA) will require the intern to have their own car or use public transportation.
SUPER interns receive an hourly wage and travel support, if applicable.
SUPER interns who are local to the Boulder area and lease their housing may receive a predetermined stipend to help cover leasing costs. Note that housing benefits are considered taxable income.
For additional info about housing, please contact Kelly at kjackson@ucar.edu
Commitment to Job Application Fairness
Applicants are not required to provide age or age-related information and may redact information related to age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution from any submissions during the initial application process.
Some Final Considerations
At NSF NCAR| UCAR | UCP, you will work alongside a dedicated team of professionals conducting critical research and community outreach to solve complex Earth system science problems including climate change, air pollution, extreme weather, floods, drought, wildfires, and space weather, all with the goal of improving human life and reducing economic loss. Each of us, from scientists to the professionals who support their work, serves the public and a collaborative community of scientists in our mission to understand the complex processes that make up the Earth system, from the ocean floor to the Sun's core.
Flexible Work
At UCAR, we are committed to supporting our mission by giving staff the flexibility to find the schedule and location that works best to maintain their own work-life circumstances and reach their full potential as professionals. Many positions within our organization are eligible for fully on-site, hybrid (three days per week) and/or flexible work hours.
Equal Opportunity Employer
UCAR is committed to providing equal opportunity for all employees and applicants for employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, creed, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex, gender, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or pregnancy. Whatever your intersection of identities, you are welcome at UCAR.
Export Control
All positions are required to comply with U.S. export compliance regulations and work location requirements regarding access to facilities and research systems.
Work Location
UCAR requires ALL positions to be performed within the U.S., excluding U.S. Territories.
AI Software
ChatGPT and similar AI software are powerful tools that are changing the way society receives, processes, and leverages information promptly. While we acknowledge its benefits and do not restrict leveraging it with job applications, we highly encourage a majority of the applicant material to be original work.
