Research Engineering Intern

Center for Energy and Environment • Minneapolis, MN

4d • $22 - $25

About The Position

The Research Engineering Intern will support a variety of research department projects, with an emphasis on ongoing research into air-to-water heat pump retrofits in Minnesota homes. The work includes field testing of existing residential buildings, modeling, and analysis. The intern will draw conclusions from collected data and literature, help write reports and document findings, and complete other tasks that build understanding of building science and energy-efficiency research. The intern will be supervised by a research analyst and research project managers and will contribute to ongoing projects while working toward the internship’s learning outcomes.

The internship is a part-time position of up to 20 hours per week, lasting 16 weeks and beginning in January 2027. Continuation during Summer 2027 may be possible depending on funding availability and fit. 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. Fieldwork is expected to take 25–50% of work time, equivalent to about two to three two-hour visits per week depending on project progress and scheduling. Work outside the field may be completed in an office, hybrid, or remotely at the supervisor’s discretion.

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a clean energy nonprofit with offices in Minneapolis and Roseville, Minnesota. It provides practical energy solutions for homes, businesses, and communities to reduce energy waste and harmful emissions, and emphasizes open communication, respect for diverse perspectives, and work-life balance.

Requirements

• Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in mechanical engineering, physics, or architecture, or have 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 and occasionally meet in person at the North Loop Minneapolis office.
• Ability to lift up to 35 pounds regularly and carry, push, pull, kneel, and squat; ability to handle equipment weighing 35–50 pounds as needed.
• Ability to work outside in all weather conditions and in residential and commercial settings during fieldwork.
• Ability to spend 25–50% of work time on fieldwork in the Twin Cities metro area.
• Ability to work indoors in an office environment and use 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