Water Systems Engineer - Full Time Internship

LotusWorks•Hillsboro, OR

10h

About The Position

LotusWorks is an Engineering Services provider specializing in managing Commissioning, Construction Services, Calibration, Operations & Maintenance scopes of work within global manufacturing facilities. LotusWorks operates globally across EMEA and North America partnering with the world's leading manufacturers across the Semiconductor, Pharmaceutical & Biologics, Medical Device and Data Centre sectors. Our team of Engineering and Technical professionals is immersed in cutting-edge technologies and innovations. LotusWorks is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace, integral to our people-first approach. As an Intern at LotusWorks, you will have the opportunity to work closely with our experienced team and gain practical knowledge. This internship is a fantastic opportunity for soon-to-be graduates and recent graduates to kickstart their careers.

Requirements

Strong academic foundation in fluid mechanics, mass balance, biological treatment, or environmental systems.
Basic understanding of wastewater treatment principles or water reuse systems.
Willingness to work in an industrial wastewater treatment environment.
Ability to follow strict safety protocols and environmental compliance standards.
Strong attention to detail and technical curiosity.
Effective communication and teamwork skills.
Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Environmental Engineering (required).
Proof of education, licenses, or certifications required where applicable.

Nice To Haves

Technical Certificate, associate’s degree, or training in Mechanical, HVAC, or Industrial Maintenance preferred.

Responsibilities

Support operation and maintenance of wastewater and reuse treatment systems, including equalization tanks, lift stations, clarifiers, membrane bioreactors (MBR), ultrafiltration (UF), reverse osmosis (RO), pumps, blowers, and chemical dosing systems under senior supervision.
Participate in daily system rounds, recording operational data such as flow rates, pressures, tank levels, pH, turbidity, ORP, dissolved oxygen (DO), conductivity, and temperature while identifying leaks, vibration issues, odor concerns, foam formation, and alarm conditions.
Assist with preventive and corrective maintenance (PM/CM) activities in accordance with approved job plans, environmental regulations, and safety procedures.
Support troubleshooting efforts related to flow imbalances, aeration performance, membrane fouling, pump cavitation, chemical feed inconsistencies, and system alarms under technician guidance.
Participate in system startup and shutdown procedures, learning treatment train sequencing between biological processes, filtration systems, and reuse polishing technologies.
Assist with membrane system maintenance, including UF backwash verification, MBR inspections, cartridge filter replacement, and monitoring differential pressures.
Learn and support monitoring of critical water quality parameters including BOD, COD, TSS, ammonia, nitrate, phosphorus, and turbidity to understand compliance limits and discharge requirements.
Assist with documentation of operational readings, maintenance activities, and inspection records within the CMMS (e.g., Maximo) to ensure regulatory traceability.
Support maintenance of piping networks, valves, actuators, and instrumentation within reclaimed water distribution systems.
Observe and assist with sludge handling operations, including centrifuges, belt presses, and sludge pumps, gaining exposure to solids management and disposal procedures.
Participate in chemical handling activities, including coagulant, polymer, chlorine, acid, and caustic dosing, strictly adhering to PPE and chemical safety requirements.
Learn proper pump and blower alignment, torqueing procedures, and mechanical assembly/disassembly techniques under supervision.
Assist with system performance verification testing, sampling events, and operational data collection to support environmental reporting and process optimization.
Support spare parts inventory management for pumps, seals, membranes, probes, and other critical components.
Learn to interpret PFDs, P&IDs, control narratives, and valve matrices to understand process design intent and redundancy strategies.
Participate in safety meetings, toolbox talks, and job hazard analyses (JHAs), with focus on confined space entry, LOTO, chemical safety, biosolids exposure precautions, and environmental compliance.
Observe senior engineers during permit compliance reviews, water quality excursions, and root cause investigations to understand structured corrective action processes.
Support development and updates of SOPs, job plans, and sampling procedures under supervision.
Maintain clean and organized work areas to prevent cross-contamination and ensure regulatory compliance.
Demonstrate initiative and technical curiosity by actively learning biological treatment principles, nutrient removal processes, and reuse system design concepts.
Follow all Environmental, Health, and Safety (EHS) requirements and immediately report unsafe conditions, spills, or process upsets.
Participate in structured intern training and mentorship sessions focused on wastewater treatment fundamentals and sustainable water reuse practices.
Exhibit professionalism, attention to detail, and teamwork aligned with LotusWorks’ culture of Safety, Quality, and Reliability.
Any other duties or responsibilities that may be assigned to you in your role.