Engineering Intern
Cx Associates is seeking an engineering student for a summer internship. The person in this position would primarily perform work under a single contract to conduct desk reviews of technical information related to energy efficiency projects. Candidates must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate engineering program and available to work 15-30 hours per week, Monday through Friday. Hours may fluctuate from week to week. The minimum weekly hours for the position is 15.
Cx Associates is headquartered in Burlington, VT. We are open to a fully remote candidate for this position, but proximity to Burlington is a plus.
About Cx Associates
Who We're Looking For
You’re a college student entering your junior or senior year in fall 2022 (or you have demonstrated experience with at least one previous internship), pursuing a degree in mechanical, electrical, environmental, or architectural engineering. You have an interest in buildings and how they are designed, operated and their impact on the environment as well as energy efficiency, data analysis, and process improvement.
You’re curious. You are an intellectually curious individual who is committed to continuous learning and staying abreast of developments in the field. You’re not afraid to look for and learn new solutions that you think could benefit the organization and share them with the team.
You’re process-oriented. You can follow a detailed communication and documentation process to the letter. You can digest a 40-page process document and apply what you’ve learned to problems. For example, you discover a discrepancy between what an inspector found at a site visit and what an applicant said was there. Where do you document this discrepancy? Who do you tell? How do you resolve it? You are able to use the reference materials available to you to find the answers, and you know when to check with a supervisor if you aren’t sure.
You lean toward precision. It’s good to know when good enough is just that: good enough. However, a tendency toward precision will help you find success with this work.
You know your way around software. You’re proficient in Excel – you’re savvy with most kinds of formulas and could figure out how to create pivot tables and macros if you haven’t done so before. Apart from Excel, you’re proficient with MS Office and Google Suite. You can learn and apply new software necessary for the task.
You’re honing your communication skills. You have some experience with different styles of writing for different audiences, and you’re comfortable communicating with clients and coworkers via multiple channels (client portal, email, phone, G-chat, etc.) to keep them updated on your work progress and ask questions as needed.
You’re self-motivated. You’re the kind of person who takes initiative and you try to tackle things yourself, constructively seeking input when needed.
You have a sense of humor. We take our work very seriously, but we also like to have fun. You’re someone who can get along with a lot of different types of personalities and people with different backgrounds, and you enjoy the occasional viral cat video.
You’re eco-conscious (or at least eco-curious). We try to walk the sustainability talk at Cx Associates. If you’re taking any steps to make your life “greener,” we’d love to hear about it. This may take the form of opting for public transit or your bike when possible, composting, being an activist for environmental causes, or taking other steps to lessen your environmental footprint.
You’re trustworthy. We can count on you to get your work done without too much oversight, ask questions when you need to, and you have stellar references from past employers or professors. As you may be working remotely for most of the time, you will need to exhibit a high level of personal accountability and self-management.
Things You Might Do
Cx Associates is seeking an intern to primarily help with one large project. However, we want to provide as valuable and well-rounded an internship experience as possible. So, while you will be primarily performing desk reviews for one project, you also may have the opportunity for more hands-on work on various other building commissioning or efficiency projects. Here are some examples of things you might do:
- Perform desk reviews of technical information related to energy efficiency projects in commercial and industrial (C&I) buildings. Upgrades include LED lighting, air compressor installation, efficient motor upgrades, elevator modernization, boiler tune-up, and much more.
- Perform equipment and system energy analysis and calculations. (Training will be available from senior engineers.)
- Interact with C&I customers to collect customer data to enable successful project reviews.
- Write technical reports with discrepancy findings regarding efficiency projects.
- Track projects in client portal.
- Write a commissioning plan, report, and other commissioning process documentation.
- Draft prefunctional check out (PFC) and functional performance test (FPT) documents for commissioning projects.
- Upload projects to commissioning project tracking software.
- Quantify energy efficiency and other benefits using data from recently completed projects.
- Assist with the project close out process to help keep our company qualifications up to date.
Other Information and Requirements
- This is a paid internship. The pay rate is $20 per hour.
- We require a minimum of 15 hours per week.
- Hours scattered across each day of the week is ideal (e.g., 3-4 hours/day for 5 days rather than 5 hours per day 4 days a week)
- Ability to satisfy a criminal background check, as required by our client, is a must.
- We are open to fully remote candidates, however, a proximity to Burlington, VT is a plus.
Cx Associates is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, gender, gender identity, sex, ancestry, mental or physical disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military status.
Job Summary
This position requires familiarity with HVAC and/or electrical systems, energy efficiency, and spreadsheet analysis. Candidates should have a four-year college degree and at least 1-3 years of HVAC or electrical systems experience. We’re looking for someone who is self-directed; highly skilled in Word and Excel; outgoing and efficient; a strong verbal and written communicator; excellent at multi-tasking; and collaborative and committed to sustainability.
This person has strong communication and interpersonal skills. The engineer will work closely with other engineers on our staff.
This position requires occasional field work and travel within a two to four-hour radius from Burlington, Vermont. Occasional overnight travel within New England and New York State may also be required. This position is for the unique individual who enjoys both desk work and fieldwork.
The ideal candidate is a strong writer and editor and is committed to Cx Associates’ mission. They should have a demonstrated personal belief in sustainability and eco-friendliness and is an evangelist for others in the firm to ensure the firm walks the talk.
Job Responsibilities
- Provide building commissioning, measurement and verification services for mechanical systems in new and existing buildings. Tasks include:
- Plan review
- Energy analysis
- Development and administration of construction checklists and functional performance tests
- Operator training verification
- Metering measurement, verification and analysis of HVAC, electrical and other systems
- Building modeling and spreadsheet analysis
- Preparation of systems manuals
- Report preparation
- Project management and other duties as assigned.
Key Knowledge Requirements
- Familiarity with commercial building energy using systems
- Mechanical/HVAC background and familiarity with all building energy systems including electrical and domestic hot water
- Familiarity/comfort with DDC controls
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to organize, analyze, and draw significant conclusions from disparate sources
- Strong technical writing and presentation skills including: reports, factsheets, and guides
- Experience with managing and analyzing large data sets
- Excellent Excel and spreadsheet management and analysis skills
- Develop, understand and meet project objectives, scope, budget, and schedule
- Familiarity/comfort with electric test instruments a plus
- Knowledge of HVAC sizing tools a plus
- Experience with eQUEST/Open Studio modeling software a plus
Key Skill & Ability Requirements
- Technical writing and presentation skills including: reports, factsheets, guides, white papers
- Anticipating and identifying complex problems, finding and reviewing relevant information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions
- Analyzing energy efficiency that results from optimization of systems and equipment
- Analyzing and synthesizing information from disparate sources and drawing conclusions
- Organizing, planning, and prioritizing work tasks
- Updating and using relevant knowledge (keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to the job)
- Teamwork, interpersonal communication, and creative/innovative thinking
- Personal initiative/motivation
- Attention to detail
- Critical thinking and intellectual curiosity
- Client/business development
- Computer skills, including MS Word and Excel; experience with eQUEST/Open Studio modeling software an asset
- Ability to lift 50 pounds and climb ladders to building roofs
Preferred Education & Experience
Candidates should possess:
- A four-year college degree, preferably in mechanical or electrical engineering and 1-3 years’ experience in HVAC mechanical engineering, building systems design, building commissioning, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience in one or more of the following areas strongly preferred:
- HVAC design
- Energy efficiency analysis
- Building commissioning
- Energy program measurement and verification
- Building energy management
To Apply
including an attachment for your cover letter and resume. Alternatively, you may email your resume and cover letter to eric[at]cx-assoc[dot]com.
Submissions without cover letters will not be considered.