Automation/Controls Engineering Internship

Steel Dynamics•Columbus, MS

17h•Onsite

About The Position

Steel Dynamics' electrical engineering internships offer a unique blend of office-based engineering work and hands-on industrial experience. Interns actively collaborate with operators and maintenance teams on the production floor, applying engineering principles directly to equipment, systems, and processes. This immersive approach allows interns to design solutions, test them in real-world conditions, and witness the immediate impact of their contributions. This specific internship is located at the Steel Dynamics Columbus Flat Roll Division in Columbus, MS, and will run part-time throughout the 2026-2027 school year, with a potential for full-time hours in Summer 2027. Ideal candidates will be located in the Great Columbus, MS area and ideally enrolled at Mississippi State University.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Automation/Controls Engineering, or a related field.
Basic understanding of programming principles and troubleshooting methodologies.
Strong interest in industrial automation, controls engineering, and manufacturing technology.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented industrial environment.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to programming through coursework, projects, or personal experience.
Exposure to electrical, computer, embedded, or control system concepts through coursework or projects.
Interest in hands-on troubleshooting and applying engineering concepts in an industrial environment.
Previous technical project, laboratory, internship, co-op, or other hands-on experience.

Responsibilities

Follow all safety policies, participate in risk assessments, and support lockout/tagout (LOTO) verification under supervision.
Assist with PLC and HMI programming, testing, troubleshooting, and documentation for industrial automation systems.
Support automation projects through programming, software development, and control system modifications under the guidance of engineering mentors.
Develop and maintain control system documentation, including electrical schematics, network diagrams, operating procedures, and technical reports.
Assist with automation hardware selection, specification, and implementation for equipment upgrades and new projects.
Support troubleshooting efforts involving PLCs, HMIs, industrial networks, instrumentation, drives, and control system hardware.
Work with Siemens automation platforms, including STEP 7 and TIA Portal.
Support HMI and visualization updates and develop dashboards or reports.
Assist with industrial networking activities and device communications troubleshooting.
Participate in planned outages, equipment upgrades, start-ups, and commissioning activities by executing test plans and verifying system functionality.
Create and maintain software, database, and configuration backups while following change management procedures.
Collaborate with operators, electricians, mechanics, maintenance personnel, IT, and production teams to implement automation improvements.
Document troubleshooting activities, standard work procedures, and project outcomes to support knowledge transfer and long-term system reliability.