Innovation Intern

Mortenson Construction; Minnesota; On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hourly wage: $18/hr

Job summary

Mortenson Construction is offering an Innovation Intern role to gain hands-on experience with the i4 Innovation Team, contributing to a range of opportunities from concept to scalable applications. You will help develop evaluation tools, schedules, and estimates for proposed innovations in construction processes and technology.

The program emphasizes collaboration, cross-team communication, and learning from failures, with a focus on building practical skills in a fast-paced internship

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate, four-year degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design & Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Product Design, Automation & Robotics, Computer Coding & AI, Architecture, Data Analytics, Software Development or other related degree

Responsibilities

• Support the i4 Innovation Team from concept to full-scale applications.
• Develop preliminary evaluation tools including research presentations, schedules, and estimates for construction process changes, technology development, process automation, and custom tools.
• Create execution plans with internal customers and external vendors and assist in quantifying results.
• Assist in developing schedules and estimates to evaluate investment necessary for implementation.
• Openly communicate and celebrate failures as a learning mechanism for the group

Skills

Internship experience

Undergraduate year: junior

Construction knowledge

Coding

Robotics

Data analytics

Collaboration

Communication

Problem solving

Customer service

Attention to detail

Education

Undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design & Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Product Design, Automation & Robotics, Computer Coding & AI, Architecture, Data Analytics, Software Development or related field

Job description

Innovation Intern

Join a team that's passionate about building inspiring spaces and pushing the industry forward in smarter, more innovative ways. As a top builder, developer, and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction), our expertise spans markets like sports, renewable energy, data centers, healthcare, and more. At Mortenson, we're grounded in offering meaningful work, real career growth, and a collaborative culture where your ideas and contributions matter.

We're looking for motivated, adaptable individuals who thrive in fast-paced environments and enjoy working with a diverse range of people. If you're proactive, curious, and ready to make an impact while growing your career, check out our opportunities!

As an intern, you'll get hands‑on experience right away, working alongside project teams and partners to keep things moving. You'll help solve real problems, stay organized, communicate across teams, and make an impact from day one while building the foundation for your career.

Responsibilities

Mortenson is seeking an Innovation Internto work closely with the i4 Innovation Team on a range of exciting opportunities. In this role, you will be key in supporting the advancement of innovative initiatives from concept to full scale application within our business. You will be responsible for the development of preliminary evaluation tools including research presentations, schedules, and estimates for construction process changes, technology development, process automation, and custom tools. Key result areas of your work will include:

• Partnering with internal and external agents to help design, manufacture and test assigned innovative product, process or systems
• Creating detailed research presentations comparing the current process, technology and tools against potential innovative solutions for various assigned topics
• Developing schedules and estimates to iteratively evaluate the investment necessary for implementation
• Partnering with internal customers and external vendors to help create accurate execution plans
• Assisting in quantifying and communicating results
• Openly communicating and celebrating failures as a learning mechanism for the group

Program Overview

Our summer intern program (May - August 2027) is designed to give you real, hands‑on experience from day one, working on meaningful projects that directly impact the business. You'll gain exposure to innovative work, build professional skills through development opportunities, and be supported by a team that values your growth. Your ideas matter here, and you'll have the chance to contribute, learn, and make a difference while exploring your career path.

Required Qualifications

Cultivate your skills in your chosen field of study and build your career with Mortenson. We look forward to hearing from you if you:

• Currently pursuing an undergraduate, four-year degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Design & Engineering, Systems Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Product Design, Automation & Robotics, Computer Coding & AI, Architecture, Data Analytics Material Science, Software Development or other related degree

Preferred Qualifications

• Have previous related internship experience
• Are currently enrolled as an undergraduate junior
• Have a basic understanding of construction and generally accepted business practices
• Have experience (by studies or work experience) in Computer Coding, Construction Materials, Robotics and Automation, Industrial Manufacturing or Data Analytics
• Demonstrate strong collaboration, communication, and problem‑solving skills and show initiative and leadership
• Showcase a positive and professional attitude and solid customer service skills
• Are detail‑oriented, organized, and can effectively handle multiple competing priorities

The hourly wage for college Interns starts at $18. Students may be paid higher wages based on their year in school.

Please make note:

• Visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.
• Our postings are typically open a minimum of 5 days and an average of 44 days.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Your uniqueness brings new and creative perspectives to the team. Mortenson is committed to providing equal opportunities of employment (EOE) to all individuals, regardless of your race, religion, gender, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, marital status or any other legally protected category.

Other Items to Note

• Mortenson reserves the right to hire any individual without legal or financial obligation on unwanted solicitations.No agency emails, calls, or solicitations are accepted without a valid agreement.
• Must be currently legally authorized to work in the U.S. without sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g., H1B status, 0-1, TN, CPT, OPT, etc.). We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.