Power Systems Engineering Internships
Power systems engineering internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Tesla, Vertiv, and Cirrus Logic among the employers posting roles now.
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North Carolina Advanced Energy Corporation (Advanced Energy) is a nonprofit energy consulting firm headquartered in Raleigh, NC. We strive to ensure that energy is clean, affordable, reliable, efficient, and safe for all people. We work with electric utilities; state, federal and local governments; manufacturers and a variety of public and private partners in five markets: residential, commercial, and industrial, motors and drives, renewables, and electric transportation.
At Advanced Energy, we know that our organization thrives only when our employees are valued and supported. You will be aided in your career goals and be put in a position to excel. You’ll work on teams that promote idea sharing and challenge you to learn and expand your expertise. You’ll also be encouraged to seek work-life balance, with flexible hybrid schedules and an array of leave options so you can spend time with family and pursue personal interests.
We are also committed to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of community and belonging. Our staff is the most valuable resource we have, and we appreciate that our employees come from varied backgrounds, cultures, and experiences. By providing a supportive and respectful environment that promotes creativity and collaboration, Advanced Energy makes a lasting, positive difference in all of the work we do.
Benefits – Visit our website for more information and a full list of employee benefits – www.advancedenergy.org/careers.
Position Overview
Works with an internal team of engineers and project managers to provide consulting services for commissioning and integration of inverter-based resources (IBRs) into the grid. The Power Systems Transmission Cooperative Education rotational program is entry level and requires basic skills in areas that use engineering judgement. Work products or processes will always have oversight from an engineer.
Essential Functions
Engineering Support
- Assist with facility reviews and site assessments to locate opportunities for improvements in performance, quality and adherence to defined standards.
- Assist in assessing aspects of the quality of design, construction, and operation of energy technologies according to a defined standard.
- Assist in performing quality control, recommending solutions, defining and interpreting the importance of the implementation of corrective measures.
- Assist in troubleshooting specific problems at IBR facilities to improve performance, productivity and customer satisfaction.
- Assist in performing engineering analysis and presenting concise results to customers as appropriate to proven abilities with oversight from more senior engineer.
- Provide hands-on assistance in deploying new technologies in the field.
- Help establish measurement tools and techniques.
- Assist in preparing reports and documentation delineating process, analysis, test results, and corrective actions.
- Assist in acquiring data from field instruments and process into useful information.
Technical Expertise
- Recommend improved procedures such as workflow, data collection and analysis techniques, etc.
- Develop expertise through targeted development activities and new job experiences.
- Exercise problem solving skills and take on new learning while collaborating with colleagues and other industry professionals.
Project Management
- Participate on project teams.
- Adhere to project scope, timeline and budget.
- Coordinate projects or tasks, making detailed plans to accomplish goals and coordinating the integration of technical activities.
- Working toward bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics engineering or relevant technical field is required.
- Fulfillment of three (3) rotations is required.
- Problem solving and data interpretation skills; strong oral communication skills; ability to work in teams as well as independently; organization, time management and attention to detail; ability to adhere to project budget; commitment to excellent customer service.
- Proficient level of Microsoft Office Products is preferred.
Physical Demands/Work Conditions
In this role, the person will hold a valid driver’s license and is expected to travel to IBR facilities and customer meetings. Some positions or projects could require occasional travel for periods up to a week. Site visits will require working outdoors in the elements, which could include hot or cold temperatures. The individual must wear personal protective equipment and follow company and/or customer safety protocols.
Employment Type
This is an hourly non-exempt position and you will receive separate or additional remuneration for work in excess of 40 hours per week. This job description is not meant to be all-inclusive and is subject to change. It is not an implied contract of employment.
To apply click HERE or copy and paste address into browser - https://recruiting.paylocity.com/recruiting/jobs/Details/4585432/North-Carolina-Advanced-Energy-Corporation/Engineering-Co-op-Student-Power-Systems. Cover letter and resume preferred.
North Carolina Advanced Energy Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer providing fair and equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants. All employment decisions are based on job-related requirements.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website, you may request a reasonable accommodation to express interest in a specific opening. You can request reasonable accommodation by sending an email to recruiting@advancedenergy.org.
Power Systems Engineering Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Power Systems Engineering Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large utilities, independent system operators, and engineering firms open summer intern cohorts as early as August and often close them before December. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Checking listings in early fall rather than January puts you ahead of most applicants for the structured programs.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Power systems hiring teams expect limited work history from intern candidates. What gives you an edge is documented project work: a load flow analysis, a protection coordination study, a simulation built in PSCAD or PowerWorld, or a Python script for grid data. Name every tool you used and make the work accessible via a GitHub repository or PDF.
Use campus resources and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside your campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never come through the university's recruiting events.
Practice the technical screen out loud before interviewing
Power systems engineering intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering circuit analysis, power flow concepts, protection fundamentals, or control systems, depending on the team. Practice solving problems out loud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you approach a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Several large utilities and grid operators run cohort-based rotational internship programs specifically designed to train people new to power systems. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often close months before the internship starts. Identify the ones that fit your interests and apply in the first wave of their recruiting cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 33% of the power systems engineering internships listed here, reflecting how much of the work involves labs, substations, and physical infrastructure. Decide what you can commit to before you start sorting through listings, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you only see roles you can actually take.
Power Systems Engineering Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a power systems engineering internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A documented project portfolio, such as a simulation model, protection relay design, or grid analysis write-up with the tools named, gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Apply directly to companies and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a power systems engineering internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for power systems engineering interns is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and understanding when return-offer decisions are made so you can ask the right questions early. Position yourself for one without counting on it by treating every deliverable as a job application.
When should I apply for power systems engineering internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large utility companies, grid operators, and engineering firms recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before the new year. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single recruiting season is the most reliable approach.
Are power systems engineering internships paid?
Most professional power systems engineering internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, it appears directly in the listing. Unpaid internships exist but are uncommon in engineering disciplines at established companies.
What should a power systems engineering internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used, such as MATLAB, PSCAD, PowerWorld, or Python, and link or reference where the work can be seen, whether that is a GitHub repository, a published analysis, or a design file. Add relevant coursework in power systems, circuits, or controls, and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote power systems engineering internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 67% of the power systems engineering internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Power systems work often involves lab equipment, substation visits, or hardware that requires physical presence, so the remote share tends to be smaller than in purely software-driven fields. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see available options.
What is a rotational engineering internship program in power systems?
Several large utilities and grid operators run structured rotational internship programs that place students across multiple teams, such as protection, transmission planning, and distribution operations, within a single summer. These programs are designed for people new to the field and offer broader exposure than a single-team placement. They recruit early, spots are competitive, and applications typically open in the fall semester, so apply in the first wave.
Can international students get power systems engineering internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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