Corrosion Summer Intern

Company Overview

Luna Labs USA, LLC is a leading defense contractor in Central Virginia, and a high throughput innovation engine for the aerospace, defense, and healthcare industries. Our diverse capabilities in materials, biotech, and engineered systems allow us to collaborate to address unique and complex problems faced by our customers. We partner with universities, government labs, and the best companies in the world to explore technological feasibility of new ideas; align technologies with customer needs; and generate solutions. Working with a robust global network of manufacturers, suppliers, licensees, and distributors, Luna Labs develops everything from small-scale prototypes to market-ready products. One of the ways we accomplish this is through our internship opportunities that allow us to engage with new age thinkers and innovators who pursue solutions that enhance, save, and/or restore life.

Job Summary

The Corrosion Team welcomes interns into its seasonal (semester supported) opportunities to help us solve material reliability problems for our customers in the defense, aerospace, and automotive industries. As an intern, the successful candidate will apply their classroom training and technical knowledge as part of a multidisciplinary research and development team focused on advancing sensor technology and predictive modeling for real-time monitoring of coating degradation, corrosion, and environment-assisted cracking. Selected interns are expected to be available for a minimum of 90-days, Monday thru Friday, and during core business hours of 9AM – 5PM beginning May 15th thru August 15th. The primary objectives for the Luna Labs Summer Internship program are to provide students

• Exposure to professional work and lab environment
• An opportunity to develop and present relevant research as a final project
• Expand job specific knowledge through training, on-the-job learning, and scientific study. 
  
  

Primary Responsibilities

• Support experimental efforts in the fields of materials science and corrosion science through testing (setup, monitoring, etc.) of environment-assisted cracking, coating evaluations, and electrochemical properties. 
• Analyze experimental data using programing languages (i.e., python, R, MATLAB) to improve the understanding of corrosion and material degradation processes. 
• Promote a clean and safe lab environment. 
• Work independently and maintain detailed lab research documentation (i.e. notebook, OneNote, etc.)
• Prepare and present a final research summary.
• Accurately log and allocate time in time tracking system.
• Effectively support multiple research projects.
• Demonstrate independence within 30-days of internship
  

Requirements – Education/Experience/Skills

• Rising Junior with STEM focus in materials science and engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, chemistry, or data science.
• Experience programing in one of the following languages (or equivalent): R, python, MATLAB.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and in a team setting.
• Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Must be local to Charlottesville, VA during the summer of 2025.
  
  

Preferred Skills

• Knowledge of one or more of the following areas: corrosion, electrochemistry, environmentally assisted cracking, fractography, mechanical engineering design, or data science. 
• Research experience preferred.
• Laboratory experience with electrochemical testing (material or coating degradation) or mechanical behavior/fracture testing for metals.
• Data analysis experience. 
• Ability to prototype and/or improvise solutions (making, DIY, tinkering, etc.). 
  
  

Work Environment

• Duties are primarily completed onsite from the Luna Labs Charlottesville location.
• This role involves working in a laboratory environment and interacting with technical staff, requiring personal protective equipment (PPE) as day-to-day attire (closed-toed shoes, long pants, etc.).
• Ability to lift and carry up to 50lbs may be required.