Research Engineering Intern

About the role

The research intern will be involved in a variety of research department projects, with an emphasis on ongoing work related to air-to-water heat pump retrofits in Minnesota homes. Their work will include fieldwork related to testing existing residential buildings, modeling, and analysis. The research intern will draw conclusions from collected data and literature, assist in writing reports and documenting findings, and complete other tasks that build an understanding of building science and energy efficiency research. The research intern will be supervised by a research analyst and research project managers to contribute to ongoing projects and make progress on these learning outcomes. The right candidate will have experience in engineering, construction, and/or building science; demonstrated analytical and communication skills; and a sense of curiosity and excitement around energy efficiency in Minnesota.

Learning outcomes

• A broad understanding of and experience with ongoing building science research in Minnesota.
• Experience in several specific testing and analysis procedures related to energy efficiency.
• An intuition for identifying common issues and opportunities related to building energy use.

About the organization

Center for Energy and Environment (CEE) is a clean energy nonprofit with offices in the North Loop of Minneapolis and Roseville, MN. We provide practical energy solutions for homes, businesses, and communities to cut energy waste and harmful emissions. We collaborate regularly with field peers and partners, and we employ curious people who enjoy learning and contributing to the Midwest’s quality of life and economy. Recognized as one of Minnesota's top 200 workplaces by the Star Tribune, CEE is known for its open communication, respect for diverse perspectives, and commitment to work-life balance.

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 on findings from field visits and analysis internally and to project stakeholders.
• Contribute to reports, proposals, and technology assessments related to ongoing projects.
• Other duties as assigned or apparent.

Qualifications

• Pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in mechanical engineering, physics, or architecture; or possessing 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, collaborative mindset, and a curiosity about building energy systems.

Preferred qualifications

• Basic knowledge of heat transfer, thermodynamics, or fluid mechanics.
• Experience in testing and instrumentation of mechanical systems, especially HVAC.
• Experience in programming and coding of large data sets, preferably related to energy systems.

Working conditions

• Must be able to lift to 35 pounds regularly as well as carry, push, pull, kneel, and squat.
• Some equipment may occasionally weigh 35–50 pounds; must be able to lift, carry, push, and pull this equipment as needed.
• Must be able to work outside in all weather conditions and in a variety of residential and commercial settings during field work.
• Ability to spend 25–50% of time on field work in the Twin Cities metro area, equivalent to about two to three 2-hour visits per week pending project progress and scheduling.
• Ability to perform work indoors in an office environment, regardless of whether cubicle, open office, or private office.
• Work not in the field may be completed hybrid or remotely at the supervisor's discretion.
• Ability to view and operate a computer, either desktop or laptop, for extended periods of time.

Pay

The internship will pay undergraduates $21.50/hr. and graduates $24.50/hr.