Internship Chemical Engineering Startup Jobs in California

About the company 

General Matter enriches uranium.

We are designing, building, and operating the world's lowest-cost enrichment services, here in the US.  

In the process, we are restoring America's ability to produce nuclear fuel to power AI, advanced manufacturing and critical industries our country relies on to remain competitive. 

Fuel drives the cost of advanced reactor electricity production, and enrichment drives the cost of the fuel that advanced reactors consume.  Reliable, low-cost enrichment is the catalyst for the nuclear Renaissance now under way.

Our mission is to make nuclear not only the cleanest and safest source of baseload power, but also the most affordable.  We believe abundant nuclear energy will lead to a post-scarcity society. 

We were incubated inside Founders Fund, like Anduril and Palantir before us, and are backed by over a dozen of the world's top venture capital firms.  

Our lean, world-class team of engineers and operators is applying a first-principles approach to solving the problem of nuclear fuel production. 

We are a mission-driven company with a culture of urgency, accountability, and transparency. 

Help us build a high-energy society by making the cleanest, safest form of baseload energy the most affordable. 

About This Role

As a General Matter Chemical Engineering Intern, you will help design, instrument, and build out advanced laboratory capabilities that support the development of a new generation of enrichment technology. You will work alongside experienced engineers and scientists while contributing to hands-on technical work across laboratory systems, analytical methods, specialized equipment, and experimental operations. This is an opportunity to build practical skills across chemistry, engineering, and instrumentation while helping bring new laboratory capabilities from concept through operation.

Responsibilities

• Assist with mass spectrometry analysis, including isotopic analysis and trace element detection using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Thermal Ionization Mass Spectrometry (TIMS), and Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS).
• Support chemical process monitoring by applying analytical chemistry techniques to help ensure the quality and safety of nuclear fuel cycle materials.
• Help develop and validate sample preparation, digestion, and separation techniques for nuclear material analysis.
• Assist in interpreting mass spectrometry results and collaborating with process engineers and operations support to help optimize facility operations.
• Maintain adherence to radiation protection, hazardous material handling, and chemical safety protocols.
• Support senior scientists and engineers on projects aimed at improving fuel cycle efficiency and waste minimization.

Basic Qualifications

• Current undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or a related field.
• Familiarity with mass spectrometry techniques (e.g., ICP-MS, TIMS, SIMS) and exposure to analytical instrumentation.
• Basic proficiency in wet chemistry techniques, including sample digestion, titration, and precipitation methods.
• Collaborative team member who thrives in fast-paced, multidisciplinary environments and is eager to learn.
• Strong understanding of engineering fundamentals.

Additional Requirements

• Ability to work extended hours and weekends as necessary.

Equal Opportunity Employer

General Matter is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with General Matter is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

Compensation and Benefits

The hourly pay range for this internship is $30-$40 per hour, depending on the candidate's current standing in school (i.e. sophomore, senior).

Interns will receive a monthly housing stipend, and are eligible for overtime pay. Please note that the stated hourly range is an estimate and may be adjusted based on market conditions, business needs, or other factors.