Returning Engineer Intern and Co-op Summer 2026 (Clarke)

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us - help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

Click here to learn about a day in the life of a Duke Energy Student Employee.

Duke Energy Offers Students:

• On-the-job experience: Working independently as well as part of a high-performing team while having an end-to-end ownership of a distinct deliverable that has a direct impact on the business. You will begin to build a robust set of career-impacting interpersonal communication skills by actively participating in your team's day-to-day activities.

• A speaker series (virtual and/or in-person): Duke Energy's top leaders share their career paths, tips and advice, while also sharing insights on the business organizations they serve.

• Engagement and social activities with other interns: We promote community involvement and networking with other summer interns and full-time employees. You will have the opportunity to create lasting professional relationships, build your network, and take advantage of a diverse and rapidly growing workforce.

• Competitive Hourly Pay & 401K contributions

• Meaningful work assignments that impact sustainability within the energy industry

• Mentorships and networking opportunities with Duke Energy Leaders

• Opportunity for full-time employment upon graduation

• Opportunity to present to leadership and your peers your impactful contribution towards our path to net zero

Required Qualifications

• Enrolled and pursuing an ABET-accredited bachelor's or master's degree in engineering OR enrolled and pursuing an associate or bachelor's degree in engineering technology

• Cumulative college GPA of 2.75 or higher

• Must not graduate prior to August 2026

• Only previous Duke Energy interns/co-ops may be considered

More information about desired qualifications and working conditions at the bottom. See below for more information on the types of programs that are offered. Take notes of what you are interested in, we'll ask you about this later in the application questions!

Regulated and Renewable Energy (RRE) - RRE generates electricity with a diverse mix of regulated power plants - including hydro, solar, natural gas, and coal generation throughout the Midwest, Carolinas, and Florida. As a student employee, your project work will consist of engineering work related to your engineering major and may include designing engineering work or implementing engineering work at generation facilities. Check out a day in the life of our Manager of Hydro projects!Preferred Major: Engineering

Transmission - Transmission Engineering manages the design, assessment, and analysis of substations and transmission facilities throughout the Duke Energy service area. This department is also responsible for any upgrades to these facilities to ensure safe and reliable operation of the assets. As a student employee, you will work with staff engineers to manage equipment reliability and perform analysis and design of structures, systems, and components within Duke Energy's transmission system. Preferred Majors: Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology

Distribution - Distribution Engineering manages the design, operation, and planning of the grid. Customer Delivery is committed to delivering energy to our customers reliably and efficiently; while maintaining our focus on safety, sustainability, and a smarter, more flexible grid. As an intern, you will undertake short-term responsibilities in variety of groups including electric distribution design, distribution system planning, distribution system operations, distribution asset management or distribution project management. During your rotation(s), you will work with staff engineers to manage/maintain equipment, assist with grid planning and sectionalization, complete designs for equipment install/replacement, and provide oversight of the distribution system. Preferred Major: Engineering

Natural Gas - Natural gas distributes to more than 1.5 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Learn more about how Delivering Natural Gas here. Our Natural Gas Engineering Co-op position will offer a variety of work to maximize exposure to Natural Gas Engineering concepts such as Mechanical and Civil design review, System Hydraulic Review, and site visits. Preferred Major: Mechanical Engineering

Desired Qualifications

• Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

• For Co-op positions, ability to work a minimum of two non-contiguous sessions

• Demonstrated technical proficiency in use of computers, software, and engineering applications (CAD tools, MFAD, STAAD Pro, MatLab, PSS/E, PowerWorld)

• Previous engineering work experience

• Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills

• Demonstrates ability to provide the quantity and quality of work necessary to reach an accomplishment

• Demonstrated leadership qualities through effective decision making

• Works effectively with others from diverse backgrounds to achieve common goal

• Ability to deliver superior results within allocated time through effective prioritization, scheduling, planning and execution of assigned work

Working Conditions

• Must be able to work full-time (40 hours/week) throughout the duration of thesummer.

• Hybrid and onsite work environment opportunities

  • Candidates who are hired for anon-site or hybrid role and reside outside of 50 miles from their assigned work location may be eligible for a housing stipend. This is a one-time payment to help offset housing & relocation expenses and will be determined at time of offer.

• Some opportunities require a valid driver's license

• Depending on work location, exposure to mechanical, electrical, noisy and/or other hazards

• Depending on work location, may be required to meet requirements for unescorted access/security clearance

• Required to wear personal protective equipment (hardhat, safety glasses, appropriate clothing, ear plugs, fall protection, etc.), as needed

• Potential for travel to project locations

Why Duke Energy?

Duke Energy is one of America's largest utilities, serving more than 9 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Duke Energy is executing an aggressive clean energy transition to achieve our goal of net-zero methane emissions from our natural gas business by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050. Click here to learn more.

• Forbes names Duke Energy as a World's Best Employer

• Duke Energy donates over $70 million to communities in need

• Click here for Duke Energy's Social Media

Don't miss out on this incredible chance to jumpstart your engineering career with us. Apply now and be part of a company that's shaping the future of energy.

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