Research Engineering Intern

Center for Energy and Environment • Minneapolis, MN

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Research Engineering Intern will contribute to research department projects, with an emphasis on air-to-water heat pump retrofits in Minnesota homes. Work includes field testing existing residential buildings, modeling and analysis, interpreting collected data and literature, assisting with reports and documenting findings, and other tasks that build knowledge of building science and energy-efficiency research. The intern will be supervised by a research analyst and research project managers.

The internship is designed to provide broad exposure to building science research in Minnesota, experience with energy-efficiency testing and analysis procedures, and an ability to recognize common issues and opportunities related to building energy use. The intern must be able to travel to field sites in the Twin Cities metro area and is expected to occasionally meet in person at the North Loop Minneapolis office. Local applicants will be prioritized.

The internship lasts 16 weeks beginning in January 2027, with the possibility of continuing during Summer 2027 depending on funding availability and fit. Compensation is $21.50 per hour for undergraduates and $24.50 per hour for graduate students.

Requirements

• Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in mechanical engineering, physics, or architecture, or possessing a background in construction, HVAC, or a building science-related program.
• Previous coursework or job experience in a technical or analytical field.
• Experience addressing and documenting research and technical problems.
• Demonstrated communication skills or experience with stakeholder engagement and outreach.
• Attention to detail, a collaborative mindset, and curiosity about building energy systems.
• Ability to travel to field sites in the Twin Cities metro area.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds regularly and carry, push, pull, kneel, and squat.
• Ability to lift, carry, push, and pull equipment weighing 35–50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions and in a variety of residential and commercial settings during fieldwork.
• Ability to spend 25–50% of work time on fieldwork in the Twin Cities metro area, approximately two to three two-hour visits per week depending on project progress and scheduling.
• Ability to work indoors in an office environment and to view and operate a desktop or laptop computer for extended periods.

Nice To Haves

• Basic knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, or fluid mechanics.
• Experience in testing and instrumentation of mechanical systems, especially HVAC.
• Experience programming and coding large data sets, preferably related to energy systems.

Responsibilities

• Attend research meetings and review literature relevant to ongoing projects and interests.
• Attend site visits focused on testing and instrumentation of residential buildings in the Twin Cities.
• Conduct analysis and draft reports based on field measurements and existing literature.
• Report findings from field visits and analysis internally and to project stakeholders.
• Contribute to reports, proposals, and technology assessments related to ongoing projects.
• Complete other duties as assigned or apparent.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Part-time
• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: No Education Listed