Base Capital Project Engineer Intern- CO

Xcel Energy; Brush (CO); On-site; USD 29,000 - 32,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension

401(k) plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Holidays

Job summary

Xcel Energy is seeking a Project Engineering Intern to join the Base Capital Project Engineering team on-site at the Pawnee Powerplant in Brush, Colorado. The internship offers hands-on exposure to industrial systems, project management, and real-world engineering tasks geared toward improving safety, reliability, and performance.

Ideal candidates are ABET- accredited Mechanical, Chemical, or Civil Engineering students (Sophomore or higher) who can work full-time during the summer and part-time

Qualifications

• Currently a student, Sophomore or higher (as of Fall 2027).
• enrolled in ABET- accredited Mechanical/Chemical/Civil Engineering degree programs.
• Ability to work full-time during summer (up to 40 hours/week) and part-time during school year (up to 20 hours/week).

Responsibilities

• Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, and reliability initiatives.
• Conduct field inspections and collect equipment data for investigations.
• Analyze plant performance, emissions, and maintenance data to identify improvements.
• Use engineering drawings and specifications to identify hardware needs.
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, and engineering staff to complete projects.
• Present findings and recommendations to local leadership.

Skills

Data analysis

Field inspections

Report writing

Team collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited college/university

Mechanical Engineering

Chemical Engineering

Civil Engineering

Tools

Engineering drawings

Microsoft Excel

MATLAB/Simulink

Job description

Are you looking for an exciting job where you can put your skills and talents to work at a company you can feel proud to be a part of? Do you want a workplace that will challenge you and offer you opportunities to learn and grow? A position at Xcel Energy could be just what you’re looking for.

At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.

The Project Engineering Intern will join the Base Capital Project Engineering team on-site at Pawnee Powerplant in Brush, Colorado, supporting projects that improve plant safety, reliability, and performance. The intern will work alongside engineers, operators, and maintenance personnel on real-world assignments such as field investigations, data analysis, capital project identification, justification, development and execution. This role provides hands‑on exposure to industrial systems, project management, and engineering while offering opportunities to develop technical and soft skills, present results, and contribute to meaningful projects.

Typical intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Support capital projects, equipment upgrades, and reliability improvement initiatives.
• Conduct field inspections, collect equipment data, and assist with engineering investigations.
• Analyze plant performance, emissions and maintenance data to identify opportunities for improved safety, reliability, and efficiency.
• Leverage engineering drawings, technical specifications, and operating documentation to identify appropriate hardware
• Collaborate with operations, maintenance, contractors, and engineering staff to complete assigned projects and resolve technical challenges.
• Present project findings and recommendations to local leadership
• Be humble, get involved, find where you can contribute and boldly ask questions

This position is for a May 31, 2027 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.

Minimum Requirements:

• Current student, Sophomore or higher (as of Fall 2027)
• Enrolled in an ABET accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering
• Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week)/ part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates from the Colorado counties of Morgan, Logan, Washington, Yuma, Phillips, Sedgwick and surrounding areas are strongly encouraged to apply.

Non-Bargaining

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $21.20 to $23.20 per hour

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Deadline to Apply: 10/16/26

EEO is the Law (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) | EEO is the Law Supplement (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) | Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/ofccp/posters) | Equal Opportunity Policy (PDF) (https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe/Corporate/Corporate%20PDFs/Equal_Opportunity_Policy.pdf) | Employee Rights (PDF) (https://www.xcelenergy.com/staticfiles/xe-responsive/assets/images/Content/Careers/Xcel-Energy-Careers-Employee-Rights.pdf)

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

Individuals with a disability who need an accommodation to apply please contact us at [e-mail] .

ACCESSIBILITY STATEMENT

Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com/ accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact Xcel Energy Talent Acquisition at [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.