Water/Wastewater/Water Resources Intern/Co-Op

HDR, Inc.; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 31,000 - 43,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. seeks a Water/Wastewater/Water Resources Intern/Co-Op in its North Carolina Water Business Group. The role is based in Charlotte, Raleigh, Winston-Salem, or Asheville, offering hands-on experience in water infrastructure projects.

You will assist with planning through construction, review plans, create diagrams, and use analytical tools like Excel and hydrologic modeling software. An emphasis on teamwork and learning under licensed professionals is evident.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate Engineering program.
• Coursework in water/wastewater topics and hydraulics is preferred.
• Familiarity with modeling software and Microsoft Office is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support projects through all phases from planning to construction.
• Prepare reports and technical memoranda for water projects.
• Coordinate with subconsultants and maintain schedules and budgets.
• Produce design calculations and project documentation per HDR standards.
• Engage in periodic client interaction and field observation when needed.

Skills

Attention to detail

Strong communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Undergraduate or graduate Engineering program

Tools

GIS

HEC-RAS/HEC-HMS/SWMM

PowerBI

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story' Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you'll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people's lives. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

HDR is currently seeking aWater/Wastewater/Water Resources Intern/Co-Opto join our North Carolina Water Business Group. This position may be based in one of the following offices: Charlotte, NC; Raleigh, NC; Winston-Salem, NC; Asheville, NC. This internship/Co-Op offers a unique opportunity to gain hands‑on experience in a dynamic consulting environment, working alongside industry‑leading professionals on impactful water infrastructure projects.

The ideal candidate will have a strong technical interest in areas such as water and wastewater treatment, pump stations and pipelines, water resources, and utility management. Interns will support projects through all phases-planning, design, and construction-across a variety of project types. Project types may include gravity sanitary sewers and force mains, water distribution and transmission pipelines, water and wastewater pump stations and treatment, stormwater drainage infrastructure, and associated planning studies, including hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, master planning, and flood studies.

The Water/Wastewater/Water Resources Intern/Co-Opwill support and collaborate with civil engineers, utility management staff, and technical professionals across disciplines to perform technical analyses, prepare reports and technical memoranda, coordinate with subconsultants, assist senior staff in maintaining project schedules and budgets, and produce documentation in accordance with project scopes and HDR's quality standards. Opportunities may include periodic client interaction and occasional field construction inspection and observation.

Additional Responsibilities:

• Gain real‑world experience on exciting and meaningful projects
• Connect with recent graduates and our company leaders through mentoring and young professionals programs
• Apply standard engineering techniques and procedures
• Perform assignments under the direct supervision of a licensed professional or Project Manager
• Participate in project tours with Professional Engineers
• Review water/wastewater project plans and specifications
• Review and create overall project designs and process diagrams for treatment and conveyance systems
• Use Excel and other analytical tools to produce or verify design calculations
• Draft and review technical memorandums and reports
• Perform other duties as assigned

Preferred Qualifications

• Enrolled in a undergraduate or graduate degree program in Civil, Environmental, or a related Engineering discipline
• Coursework in Water and Wastewater Treatment Processes, Water Distribution and Wastewater Collection Systems, Hydrology and Hydraulics, Stormwater Management and Design, or other topics focused on water/wastewater/water resources
• Familiarity with modeling and software tools, including GIS, Hydrologic/Hydraulic Modeling Software (HEC-RAS/HEC-HMS/SWMM), PowerBI, or other similar applications
• Strong communication skills and ability to thrive in a collaborative team environment
• Prior water/wastewater/water resources project experience
• Experience using Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD preferred
• Preference will be given to local candidates

Required Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate Engineering program
• Attention to detail
• Possess strong problem-solving and communication skills
• Basic Microsoft Office skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must

What We Believe HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve. Our Commitment As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States-North Carolina-Charlotte

Other Locations: United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-North Carolina-Asheville

Industry: Water

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Temporary

BusinessClass: Water Treatment

Job Posting: Sep 30, 2026