Chemical Engineer Intern - Summer 2027

Sargent Lundy; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

Sargent Lundy is seeking a Chemical Engineer Intern for a Summer 2027 start in Chicago, IL. You will join a project team and assist engineers on air and water quality control and carbon capture initiatives for energy and industrial markets.

Under supervision, you will expand knowledge of industry standards, control system design, and new technology, while contributing to project reports and data tracking.

Qualifications

• Must have an expected graduation date in Winter 2027 or Spring 2028 toward a BS in Chemical Engineering.
• Solid understanding of basic chemical engineering processes including mass balances.
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Self-starter, proactive, able to work independently with minimal direction.
• Ability to quickly identify and prioritize issues, create solutions and meet deadlines.
• Good verbal and written communication skills along with strong PC skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Assist the engineering team on projects involving air and water quality control systems and carbon capture.
• Support project reporting, track progress and data.

Skills

Mass balances

Chemical Engineering

Organizational skills

Self-starter

Communication skills

Education

BS in Chemical Engineering

Tools

ASPEN or similar process modeling software

Microsoft Office

Job description

Responsibilities

This position has a targeted start date for Summer 2027.

• As a Chemical Engineer Intern, you will be assigned to work on a project team and assist the engineering team members in the execution of their project work. These projects may involve the evaluation of new and/or modifications and upgrades to existing air and water quality control systems and carbon capture systems for the energy and industrial markets.
• Working under the direction of senior engineers, this position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your academic background in Chemical Engineering in one or more of the following areas:
• Maintaining and enhancing your knowledge and understanding of industry standards and specifications, control system design, and new technology developments.
• Work on a variety of tasks associated with project reporting, such as tracking and evaluating project activities, project progress, and associated data.

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential skills and experience:

• Must have an expected graduation date in Winter 2027 or Spring 2028 toward a BS in Chemical Engineering.
• Solid understanding of basic chemical engineering processes including mass balances.
• Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
• Self-starter, proactive, able to work independently with minimal direction.
• Ability to quickly identify and prioritize issues, create solutions and meet deadlines.
• Good verbal and written communication skills along with strong PC skills are required.

Valued but not required skills and experience:

• Enrollment in an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
• Prior, related internship or co-op experience is preferred.
• An understanding of the practical application of chemical engineering and technology, including applying systems, principles, techniques, and procedures to a project design.
• Knowledge of any of the following programs: ASPEN or similar process modeling software, Microsoft applications.

Technology & Innovation

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to solve problems using modern tools:

• You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
• Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
• Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
• We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.

About Sargent & Lundy

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA

• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus

• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$18.00 - $30.00

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

About This Business Unit

The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.