Automation System Technology/EE Design Intern (Summer 2026)

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures, it's about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR's Building Engineering Services Group, you'll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience. We bring together mechanical, electrical, structural, and civil engineering experts to solve complex design challenges with precision, creativity, and collaboration. Whether you're optimizing energy efficiency, integrating resilient systems, or engineering the backbone of next-generation facilities, your contributions will help define the future of the built environment. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead innovation, engineer impact, and build a legacy of excellence.

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Primary Responsibilities

HDR is currently seeking to hire engineering students for an immersion program in Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Programmable Logic Controller (PLC) / Human Machine Interface (HMI) programming for the summer period. The programmers will work full time as an integral part of the Building Engineering Services (BES) team in our Denver office. The primary role of these Automation System Technologists will be to perform hands on PLC and HMI programming tasks to support large programming projects but may also include other I&C or Electrical Engineering tasks.

PLCs and HMIs are unique industrial automation equipment that are programmed to control factories, refineries, mining operations, water and wastewater facilities throughout the world. While some programming experience is desirable, this programming is unlike typical structured text programming language (C++, BASIC, Python...). HDR will teach the programmers in the proper programming techniques and style. This position requires a programmer who can take direction on how to program the automation equipment for proper and safe process control. The programmer must be detailed oriented. An understanding of industrial, mining, water or wastewater processes is desirable, but not required. This position will include hands on training in Operational Technology (OT) best practices, good engineering judgment, project management and other topics. This position will work under Senior I&C lead engineer / programmers. The programs will be tested on HDRs OT lab that includes PLCs, hypervisor server and other equipment. A demonstration of the program features will be performed by the programmers during this period to HDR process personnel and possibly the customer.

This position includes primarily programming of PLCs and HMIs but may also branch into other areas including preparation of electrical diagrams, system block diagrams, facility electrical plans, P&IDs, logic diagrams, elementary control diagrams, communications diagrams, control valve sizing and operation, instrumentation specifications, and control equipment specifications.

A self-sufficient programmer with good communication skills and the ability to take direction and guidance is required for this role. The programmer is expected to learn and progress in programming throughout the summer program. This is a team environment but will require the individual to work independently under direct supervision to adhere to strict programming standards of the project.

Check out more about the Instrumentation & Controls intern program here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZjLDIQ3WnQ

The location is in the downtown Denver area, and no field work is expected. Parking is not available at the office, but the office is close to the Civic Center for access to public transportation. Working from home or remotely is not practical due to the unique learning environment and lab system required to test the PLC code.

Preferred Qualifications

• Desire to learn industrial controls and programming techniques and practices
• Candidate must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
• The candidate must be able to work independently, as a member of a multi-discipline consulting team
• Programming knowledge is desired to better understand program structures, number systems, and Boolean logic.
• Must have good problem-solving skills.
• Color acuity is required (i.e. cannot be color blind).
• ACAD Proficiency is a plus.
• IT experience or knowledge is a plus.
• Ethernet networking understanding and experience is a plus.
• Junior Level or Higher