Job Description

Apply by Date: 07/17/2026
Hourly Minimum Pay Rate: $23.63 / hour
Hourly Maximum Pay Rate: $28.80 / hour

SMUD’s Distributed Energy Solutions team seeks a STEM student assistant to work closely with its supervisor, primarily in person, to support with the strategic advance of building electrification and energy efficiency. Are you passionate about sustainability and interested in shaping the future of energy? Join us at SMUD as a Year-Round Student Intern with our Distributed Energy Strategy team! This exciting opportunity is designed for college students eager to immerse themselves in the dynamic world of building decarbonization, supporting SMUD’s industry-leading programs in California’s capital.

As an intern, you will play a crucial role in evaluating the policy landscape, program data, and adoption trends to support the development of innovative program offerings. You’ll examine emerging industry research to help the team respond to evolving technologies and market trends. This hands-on experience will allow you to work directly with the planning and delivery teams responsible for SMUD’s building electrification and energy efficiency portfolios —all while gaining valuable skills in a supportive, collaborative environment.

If you’re ready to make an impact and explore the cutting-edge of energy solutions, we encourage you to apply!

***Cover Letter Requirement***
Please respond to the following prompt in your cover letter to be considered for this internship. Failure to include a cover letter with your response may preclude you from moving forward in the selection process.

Tell us what qualifications and skills you bring for the role. What experience you hope to obtain from the internship.

This internship is primarly in person.

About SMUD's College Internship Program

SMUD's College Internship Program provides college interns with an opportunity to contribute their skills and knowledge to SMUD while gaining valuable work experience. Workshops and activities will also be part of the program where interns will have the opportunity to be immersed in SMUD's culture and learn leadership skills as well as develop their professional skills.

SMUD was also recognized by Interns 2 Pros for the 2020 Internship Program of The Year Award in recognition of excellence in internship strategy, implementation, and impact and was one of five finalists for the 2023 Internship Program of the Year from Interns 2 Pros along with Paramount, Fox Corporation, Intuit, and Toyota.

Application Deadline: It is guaranteed that the online system will accept applications until 5 PM on the apply by date. It is highly encouraged that applications are submitted well before the due date and time mentioned to make sure that it is submitted successfully.

Official SMUD Title: STEM Student Assistant

Internship Program Requirements:

• Students must be able to commute to the SMUD Offices in Sacramento, CA when requested to come in.
• To have a student position at SMUD, you must not have any relatives working at SMUD.
• Students must be enrolled and maintain enrollment as a full-time student, complete and pass at least 12 undergraduate units OR 8 graduate units, and receive at least a 2.0 GPA the semester/quarter prior to employment and for the duration of the internship. SMUD does not look at cumulative GPAs.
• During the summer, students can work up to 130 hours per month.
• Currently, SMUD is not hiring candidates for its student internship positions who require sponsorship from an employer either now or in the future. Such sponsorship is not needed for citizens, a U.S. National, a permanent resident, or one granted refuge or asylum status by the U.S. government. Visa holders typically require sponsorship in one form or another at some point in time.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are a part of who we are and how we do things. Supporting efforts that promote pay equality is part of that. Salary placement for the selected candidate will be determined in alignment with the California Equal Pay Act or the applicable MOU. Determination for salary placement of internal candidates will be made without respect to current classification or compensation and will be based upon the candidate's qualifications as compared to those performing substantially similar work. In the event there is a guaranteed pay progression outlined in an applicable MOU, the MOU takes precedence.