Job Description
MidAmerican Energy Company is seeking highly motivated students pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering to join our Substation Engineering team. This internship provides an opportunity to apply engineering principles in a utility environment while supporting projects that help deliver safe, reliable and affordable electric service to our customers.
As a Substation Engineering Intern, you will gain hands-on experience supporting the planning, design, construction and commissioning of electric substations and related facilities. Interns work alongside experienced engineers and project teams on real-world projects while developing technical, analytical and professional skills.
This is a temporary, full-time, nonexempt hourly position for Summer 2027, based in Davenport, Iowa. No remote work is offered for this role.
Primary Job Duties
- Support engineers in the design, modification and expansion of electrical substations and associated facilities
- Assist with preparation and review of engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, schematics, bills of material and construction packages
- Develop an understanding of substation equipment including power transformers, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, protective relays, instrument transformers, capacitor banks and station service equipment
- Assist with project scoping, equipment replacement projects and capital improvement initiatives
- Participate in cost estimating, material procurement activities, project tracking and schedule development
- Review engineering standards, specifications and construction documents used for substation projects
- Support construction and commissioning activities through field visits, documentation reviews and coordination with internal and external stakeholders
- Develop an understanding of SCADA, RTU, communications equipment and substation automation systems
- Attend project meetings and collaborate with engineering, operations, construction, protection and control and planning personnel
- Assist with data analysis, technical studies and engineering evaluations as assigned
- Learn and apply company safety practices, OSHA requirements and electrical utility industry standards such as NESC, IEEE, ANSI, NEC (where applicable) for electrical substation design
- Participate in internship development, networking and leadership engagement activities
Skills for Success
- Strong analytical, problem-solving and critical thinking skills
- Effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills
- Ability to manage multiple assignments while adapting to changing priorities
- Strong organizational and time management skills
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word and PowerPoint
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings and technical documentation
- Desire to learn utility power systems and substation engineering practices
- Prior internship, construction, utility or engineering-related experience is beneficial but not required
Performance Expectations
- Deliver assigned work accurately and within established schedules
- Demonstrate initiative, curiosity and a willingness to learn new technical concepts
- Build effective working relationships with employees, contractors and project stakeholders
- Maintain a strong commitment to workplace safety and human performance principles
- Communicate technical information clearly in both written and verbal formats
- Take ownership of professional development and continuous learning opportunities
- Maintain confidentiality of company information and business activities
- Ensure compliance with all applicable company policies, procedures, standards and regulatory requirements
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in an accredited bachelor's degree program in Electrical Engineering
- Sophomore, junior or senior standing preferred
- Expected graduation date after the conclusion of the internship period
- Ability to work full-time during the summer 2027 internship period
- Coursework in power systems, protection and controls or related electrical engineering disciplines preferred
- Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation, Bluebeam or similar engineering software is a plus
MidAmerican Energy Company, a Midwest utility, provides regulated electric and natural gas service to more than 1.6 million customers in Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska and South Dakota. The company owns and operates a portfolio of power-generating assets, approximately 61% of which is wind generation.