Automation Engineering Intern — Hands-on Projects & Travel

Van Meter Inc.; Cedar Rapids, Northern (IA, KY); Hybrid; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

Van Meter Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA is offering an Automation Engineering Intern position to gain hands-on experience in industrial automation, solution design, and system implementation.

You will work under experienced Automation Solutions Engineers and contribute to defined project assignments while learning Van Meter’s engineering standards and safety requirements. The role involves collaboration with sales, technical, and engineering teams, participation in customer-site activities, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED.
• College status: sophomore, junior, or senior.
• Pursuing a degree in a technical field listed.
• Familiar with AI tools to support learning and projects.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Organizational skills with ability to manage priorities.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Attention to detail and process orientation.

Responsibilities

• Complete an Electrical Distribution Orientation to understand Van Meter’s business, departments, supplier relationships, and customer solutions.
• Work under the guidance of technical experts on defined engineering and project assignments.
• Assist with application research, product selection, technical scoping, project estimation, BOM development, and preliminary solution documentation.
• Prepare draft technical deliverables such as BOMs, drawings, configuration records, test documentation, and application notes for engineer review.
• Support defined configuration, programming, testing, integration, startup, commissioning, and validation activities based on experience and assignment needs.
• Participate in troubleshooting and technical-support activities, document findings, and elevate questions or risks to the assigned engineer.
• Observe and assist with customer training, knowledge-transfer sessions, demonstrations, and technical presentations.
• Collaborate with customers, suppliers, sales, project teams, and delivery partners while maintaining professional communication and confidentiality.
• Follow engineering standards, documentation requirements, safety practices, and project processes.
• Contribute to an engineering standard, reusable technical asset, documentation improvement, or process-improvement assignment.
• Build foundational knowledge in selected automation technologies through project work, mentoring, product training, and independent learning.
• Summarize internship learning and technical contributions.

Skills

AI tools usage

Microsoft Office

Written & verbal communication

Analytical & problem solving

Independent & team work

Detail oriented

Project organization

Learning quickly

Education

High school diploma or GED

Pursuing degree in CS/IE/ME/EE/SE/CE/Automation/Robotics or related

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Van Meter Inc. in Cedar Rapids, IA is offering an Automation Engineering Intern position to gain hands-on experience in industrial automation, solution design, and system implementation.

You will work under experienced Automation Solutions Engineers and contribute to defined project assignments while learning Van Meter’s engineering standards and safety requirements. The role involves collaboration with sales, technical, and engineering teams, participation in customer-site activities, and