Intern -Substation Engineering

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.

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.

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

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

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