Civil Engineering, Hydropower Intern - WI

Xcel Energy (NASDAQ: XEL) is a leading energy provider and Fortune 500 company, dedicated to serving millions of electricity and natural gas customers across eight states: Minnesota, Colorado, Wisconsin, Michigan, North Dakota, South Dakota, New Mexico and Texas. We make energy work better for our customers, helping them thrive every day. That means always raising the bar - delivering better service and providing more reliable, resilient, and sustainable energy. 

Xcel Energy is a place where you’ll have opportunities to grow, expand your skills, and help lead the clean energy transition. We offer meaningful rewards, recognition, and support to help you build your career and make an impact - both on the job and beyond. Most importantly, it means you’ll be joining a company that knows employees are the driving force behind its success and is committed to helping you be your best.

 

Xcel Energy supports a hybrid work model to enable collaboration and flexibility. Many roles are expected to work onsite three days per week (Tuesday–Thursday); however, work location expectations vary based on role, team, and business needs.

 

At Xcel Energy, our employees are the driving force behind our success. So we make sure that, here, you can be your best. Doing work that makes a difference for neighbors and communities. Working with a team you can count on to push you. Expanding skills, staying ready for change, and capturing opportunities to grow. All with the support, rewards and recognition you need to thrive – during your internship and beyond.

Xcel Energy has exciting opportunities to learn and grow in your knowledge of Renewable Generation. Work with engineering staff to support the reliable and efficient operations of Xcel Energy’s hydroelectric renewable generation assets. Work as an entry level engineering analyst performing various tasks primarily related to dam safety and hydro operations. Candidate will work with departments such as Hydro Operations and Energy Supply Projects. 

Duties will include construction observations, dam safety inspections, plans and specifications review, risk evaluation, emergency action planning, and technical report writing and review. The candidate will learn and gain knowledge about the history of the hydroelectric facilities, design features of hydroelectric dams, and federal requirements for the facilities. Through practical field experience and mentoring, successful candidate will gain significant professional and technical skills.  This position is located in Hydro Operations in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. 

Typical intern responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Attend annual dam safety inspections alongside Operations and regulatory agencies.

• Participate in risk evaluations and gain an understanding of how dam safety work is prioritized to maintain reliable facilities.

• Support construction observation activities and review plans and specifications for dam safety projects at hydro facilities.

• Assist in preparing technical reports and reviewing applicable federal regulatory requirements.

This position is for a May 24, 2027 start date. This position may have the possibility to extend beyond the internship’s initial term based on the candidate’s successful performance and Xcel Energy’s business needs.

Minimum Requirements:

• Current student, Sophomore or higher

• Enrolled in an ABET accredited college or university and pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering

• There will be travel to the hydroelectric facilities.  The candidate must have the able to travel to various hydroelectric facilities at least 25% of the time as the facilities are located throughout northwestern Wisconsin.

• Able to work full-time during the summer (up to 40 hours a week)/ part time during the school year (up to 20 hours a week) and commuting to the designated work location in-person, per our hybrid work policy.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Civil Engineering major with interest dam engineering and hydropower. 

• Course work in engineering statics, engineering mechanics, soil mechanics, hydraulics and hydrology, and structural analysis and design. 

• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in technical writing  

• Must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite

 

Our culture is grounded in shared values and employee commitments that guide how we work, support one another, and grow together.

Our Values

Connected, Committed, Trustworthy, Safe

Our Employee Commitments

• Work that makes a difference
• A team you can count of
• Opportunities to grow
• Rewards that help you thrive

 

Xcel Energy provides job applicants reasonable accommodations for disabilities throughout the application process. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. 

Non-Bargaining

 

The anticipated starting base pay for this position is: $21.20 to $24.60 per hour

 

This position is eligible for the following benefits: Pension, 401(k) plan, Paid time off (PTO), Holidays

 

Benefit plans are subject to change and Xcel Energy has the right to end, suspend, or amend any of its plans, at any time, in whole or in part.

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information including but not limited to dates of school attendance and graduation.  You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

 

Deadline to Apply: 11/08/26

 

EEO is the Law (PDF) | Equal Opportunity Statement (PDF) | Employee Rights (PDF)

 

All Xcel Energy employees and contractors share responsibility for protecting the company's information and systems by adhering to cybersecurity policies, standards, and best practices, recognizing that cybersecurity is everyone's responsibility.

 

Accessibility Statement

Xcel Energy endeavors to make https://www.xcelenergy.com and https://jobs.xcelenergy.com accessible to any and all users. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete the application process, now or at any time in the future, please complete the Applicant Accommodation Request Form. For any other application related questions, including application follow-ups or technical issues, please use our Recruiting Assistance, Electra, for assistance. Electra can be found in the lower right-hand corner of our Xcel Energy Careers site.