Veterans to Engineers Intern

What You'll Do

The Veterans to Engineers (VTE) program is designed to work with each participant’s unique situation and help veterans find part-time to full-time employment. Selected military members/veterans relocate to the Oak Ridge/Knoxville, TN area.

Veterans to Engineers participants are placed in a rotational work program with different groups throughout CNS with the intention of moving into a permanent employment position in Mission Engineering once their degree is complete.

VTE program participants attend an ABET accredited college/university to attain their engineering degree. Students may complete initial educational requirements at a two-year institution. Once associate degree or minimum credits for transfer are attained, students must transfer to a four-year ABET accredited college or university to complete the remainder of their engineering degree. Students are expected to use their Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits or other scholarship opportunities as applicable. Upon graduation, VTE Interns may be offered a full-time engineering position with Consolidated Nuclear Security.

VTE program participants will work with technical personnel (in engineering, maintenance, operations, productions, R&D activities, and other related functions) in analyzing and evaluating technical/engineering problems, in developing experimental outlines, in scheduling procedural steps, and in establishing priorities. Independently conducts test, experiments, and analyses. Operates and troubleshoots equipment and gathers, reduces, evaluates and interprets data. Prepares analyses, reports and procedures.

Work involves routine and some unique non-routine technical support activities following standard procedures within discipline. Performs routine tests and experiments and assists in the operation of more complex equipment and/or operations. Uses some creativity to generate new ideas. May recommend improvements in methods and procedures.

Compiles with proscribed routines, methods, and/or practices. Applies some independent judgment with respect to matters of a routine and occasional non-routine nature. Contacts are primarily within the organization, but may occasionally work across organizational lines. Usually assist experienced engineers with basic tasks. May lead new personnel in routine functions. Works cooperatively to accomplish common goals.

Eligible Degree Fields

• Mechanical engineer


• Chemical engineer


• Electrical engineer


• Nuclear engineer


• Civil engineer


• Structural engineer


• Architectural engineer


• Industrial engineer


• Material science


• Metallurgical engineer


• Aeronautical engineer


• Software engineer


• Computer Science


• 3D CAD Design Technology degrees

What You Can Expect

Minimum Job Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent


• Must be a Veteran of any branch of the United States Military


• Active pursuit of an engineering degree from an Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited institution, program and discipline.


• Must be able to obtain and maintain a DOE Q clearance

Preferred Job Requirements

• Pursue a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in an Engineering Accreditation Commission (EAC) Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) accredited program in the United States or designated equivalents from Canada or Mexico, the Washington Accord, or the list of substantially equivalent as documented by ABET.


• Must adhere to requirements specified in the Veterans to Engineers program.


• Must maintain academic “in good standing” status while employed and must be making satisfactory progress toward Engineering degree requirements.


• Specialized knowledge and/or experience with nuclear materials, processing, design, and/or systems is highly desired.

Why Y-12?

Notes