Mechanical Technician Intern Summer 2027

Koch; Duncombe (IA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Koch Fertilizer in Fort Dodge, Iowa is offering a Mechanical Technician Intern Summer 2027 for a 12-week program from late May to mid-August 2027. The internship emphasizes learning maintenance practices and hands-on work alongside seasoned technicians in an industrial setting.

You will gain experience maintaining rotating and fixed equipment, participate in preventive maintenance, and support reliability improvements while exploring welding and fabrication activities.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in or recently completed a relevant degree, certificate, or training program.
• Willing and able to meet physical requirements and safety standards.
• Eligible for full-time employment in the United States by May 2029.

Responsibilities

• Support safe and reliable operation by performing preventive maintenance and inspections.
• Assist with installation, maintenance, and repair of rotating equipment.
• Support repairs of fixed equipment such as vessels, exchangers, tanks, boilers.
• Collaborate with maintenance and operations to troubleshoot and improve uptime.

Skills

Mechanical aptitude

Preventive maintenance

Industrial environment experience

Education

Relevant degree/cert/training program

Job description

Koch Fertilizer in Fort Dodge, Iowa has a Mechanical Technician Intern Summer 2027 opportunity available. The internship opportunity will be a 12-week program running from late May to mid-August 2027.

At Koch, we believe that everyone should be an entrepreneur no matter what role they are in. As an intern, co-op, or new graduate there are countless opportunities for you to be challenged, have your voice heard and gain real experience within our companies. Sound exciting? Do you want to be a part of meaningful work?

What You Will Do

• Support the safe and reliable operation of a fertilizer facility by performing preventive maintenance activities and equipment inspections.
• Learn precision maintenance practices while working alongside experienced technicians in an industrial manufacturing environment.
• Assist with the installation, maintenance, and repair of rotating equipment, including pumps, compressors, and other critical plant assets.
• Support repairs and inspections of fixed equipment such as pressure vessels, heat exchangers, storage tanks, boilers, furnaces, and heaters.
• Partner with maintenance and operations teams to troubleshoot equipment issues, plan repairs, and improve plant reliability and uptime.
• Gain hands‑on experience using tools, equipment, and maintenance processes that are representative of the work performed by our full‑time mechanical technicians
• Gain exposure to a wide range of maintenance work, from general facility upkeep to complex equipment repairs, welding activities, and crane‑supported maintenance projects.
• Potential to assist with welding and fabrication activities, including basic repairs, equipment modifications, and maintenance projects.

Physical Requirements

• Climbing stairs, ladders, and working at heights
• Ability to sit, stand, kneel as necessary ability to lift and carry up to 75 pounds
• Ability to work both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Currently enrolled in, or a graduate of a relevant degree, certificate, or workforce training program.
• Willing and able to meet the physical requirements
• Eligible for full‑time employment before or by May 2029
• Legal authorization to work permanently in the United States for any employer without requiring a visa transfer or visa sponsorship.

What Will Put You Ahead

• Previous experience working in a manufacturing or heavy industrial environment.
• Previous armed forces experience as an aircraft mechanic, aircraft structural maintenance specialist, or other relevant military experience.
• Experience in automotive, hydraulic, small engines, precision maintenance/machinist or hands on training.
• Experience maintaining or repairing rotating or fixed equipment.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

As a Koch Ag & Energy Solutions company, Koch Fertilizer delivers a full line of fertilizers designed to boost crop performance and help growers reach their yields. Our team also brings logistical expertise and a wide range of invaluable services, from delivered freight and logistics capabilities to online shipment tracking. At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

• medical
• dental
• vision
• flexible spending and health savings accounts
• life insurance
• ADD
• disability
• retirement
• paid vacation/time off
• educational assistance
• infertility assistance
• paid parental leave
• adoption assistance

Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.