Duke Energy

Engineering Intern and Co-op Summer 2026

Charlotte, NC

full time

On-site

Oil and Gas

About This Job

More than a career - a chance to make a difference in people's lives.

Build an exciting, rewarding career with us – help us make a difference for millions of people every day. Consider joining the Duke Energy team, where you'll find a friendly work environment, opportunities for growth and development, recognition for your work, and competitive pay and benefits.

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here

to learn about a day in the life of a Duke Energy Student Employee.

About Us:

Duke Energy, one of the largest electric powers holding company in the U.S., is a Fortune 150 company dedicated to driving the future of reliable, affordable and cleaner energy. Join us in our mission to build a smarter energy future and help drive our transition to net-zero methane emissions by 2030 and net-zero carbon emissions from electricity generation by 2050.

Why Duke Energy?

Here are the top 3 reasons why working at Duke Energy as a college student is the number one choice for you:

1. Career Development: Duke Energy provides extensive training programs, mentorship opportunities, and career development resources to help students grow professionally.

2. Growth and Reputation: As one of the largest energy companies in the U.S., Duke Energy offers job growth and a reputable name in the industry, which can be advantageous for future career prospects.

3. Work-Life Balance: The company supports a healthy work-life balance with flexible work schedules, remote work options, and employee wellness programs.

Basic/Required Qualifications

- Enrolled and pursuing an ABET-accredited Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Nuclear, Mechanical, Civil, Chemical, Electrical, Chemical, Computer, Industrial & Systems Engineering OR enrolled and pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering Technology or Construction Management.

- Must not graduate prior to August 2026

- Cumulative college GPA of 2.75 or higher

As an engineering intern, you will have the opportunity to work on real-world projects and learn from experienced engineers.

See below for more information on the types of programs that are offered. Take notes of what you are interested in, we’ll ask you about this later in the application questions!

Program Locations for 2026: Opportunities at locations across our footprint: North Carolina, South Carolina, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Florida. You will be able to provide your location preferences in the application questions.

Transmission - Transmission Engineering manages the design, assessment and analysis of substations and transmission facilities throughout the Duke Energy service area. This department is also responsible for any upgrades to these facilities to ensure safe and reliable operation of the assets. As an intern or co-op, you will work with staff engineers to manage equipment reliability and perform analysis and design of transmission lines and structures, protection and controls systems, and physical/electrical components within Duke Energy’s transmission system. Preferred Majors: Electrical, Civil, Engineering Technology, CAD

Distribution – Distribution Engineering manages the design, operation, and planning of the grid. Distribution is committed to delivering energy to our customers reliably and efficiently; while maintaining our focus on safety, sustainability, and a smarter, more flexible grid. As an intern or co-op, you will undertake short-term responsibilities in variety of groups including electric distribution design, distribution system planning, distribution system operations, distribution asset management or distribution project management. During your rotation(s), you will work with staff engineers to manage/maintain equipment, assist with grid planning and sectionalization, complete designs for equipment install/replacement, and provide oversight of the distribution system. Preferred Major: Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Industrial & Systems Engineering, or Construction Management

Regulated and Renewable Energy (RRE) - Duke Energy Regulated and Renewable Energy generates electricity with an ever-expanding diverse energy mix to meet current and future energy needs for our customers! Come and experience a collaborative working environment for the future of generation! As a student employee, this is an exciting time to work in the utility industry! You will have the opportunity to mentor with top ranked engineers in our regulated power plants – including hydro, solar, natural gas, and coal generation throughout the Midwest, Carolinas, and Florida. Students will gain experience working on projects for generation facility safety, efficiencies, system performance, reliability, cost and environmental compliance. Knowledge will be gained for plant systems engineering and maintenance and energy production to include pumps, motors, control systems, heat performance, motors, switch gears, turbines, generators, system inspections, calibrations and equipment performance. Preferred Major: Mechanical, Civil, Electrical, Chemical, Electrical Engineering Technology

Project Management & Construction (PMC) – PMC is responsible for building our new power generation assets and is in early stages of the largest buildout in the history of the company. As part of Duke Energy’s broader strategy to meet rising customer demand and decarbonize the grid, PMC is actively planning and building renewable solar and bulk energy storage, new simple and combined cycle turbines, as well as developing projects for advanced nuclear, pumped storage hydro, and other emerging technologies. Interns & co-ops would work with PMC engineers and projects managers to develop, design, construct and startup of all these technologies, with both office and field construction assignments available in the Carolinas, Midwest, and Florida. Come be part of the energy transformation! Preferred Majors: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Construction Management, Chemical, Industrial & Systems Engineering

Natural Gas – Distributes natural gas to more than 1.5 million customers in the Carolinas, Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Learn more about how Delivering Natural Gas

here

. Preferred Majors: Mechanical, Civil

Environmental Health and Safety - Waste & Groundwater Group supports staff professionals who manage the inspection and oversight of groundwater related environmental projects and components at Duke Energy’s generating stations. This group provides support of state and federal environmental regulations, permits siting, licensing/relicensing for groundwater and coal ash related work throughout the Carolinas. This co-op may also work on groundwater remediation projects and groundwater monitoring projects. Preferred Majors: Civil, Environmental, Chemical

Nuclear – Duke Energy operates 11 nuclear reactors across six plants throughout the Carolinas. The mission of Duke Energy Nuclear Generation is to generate clean, life-essential electricity around-the-clock to power the lives of our communities. Current projects are underway to uprate our existing fleet, move reactors to 24-month fuel cycles, and explore the possibilities of high enrichment and high burnup fuel. Safe, reliable operation of nuclear plants requires expertise from a variety of disciplines, including interns who are interested in supporting Duke Energy's clean energy plans. Learn more about the clean energy resource

here

. Preferred Majors: Electrical, Civil, Mechanical, Nuclear

Grid Strategy, Planning & Integration - Maintain distributed energy sites on the Distribution Grid (batteries and solar sites) while interfacing with Engineering, Controls, and Maintenance. Some example projects would be programming site RTACS to interface with our PII server, programming our RTACS to automate dispatch), analyzing performance data (this could be operations data from or maintenance data), or troubleshooting issues. This will provide the intern with real world experience in renewables, primarily energy storage. The Grid Planning Studies team focuses on transmission-level analysis of generator additions and modifications in Duke Energy Carolinas, Duke Energy Florida, and Duke Energy Progress. These generation resources include but are not limited to solar, battery, and natural gas sites that may range from several MW to in excess of 1 GW. In addition to developing foundational knowledge related to transmission planning activities, the intern position will provide hands-on experience with power flow tools such as PSS®E and TARA. Day-to-day activities will require cross-functional collaboration across various workgroups using a combination of in-person and virtual meetings. Preferred Majors: Electrical, Computer

Desired Qualifications

- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher

- Demonstrated technical proficiency in use of computers, software, and engineering applications (CAD tools, MFAD, STAAD Pro, MATLAB, PSS/E, Power World)

- Previous engineering work experience

- Demonstrated excellent written and oral communication skills.

- Demonstrated ability to provide the quantity and quality of work necessary to reach an accomplishment.

- Demonstrated leadership qualities through effective decision making.

- Works effectively with others from diverse backgrounds to achieve common goal.

- Ability to deliver superior results within allocated time through effective prioritization, scheduling, planning and execution of assigned work.

Working Conditions

- Hybrid, Field and onsite work environment opportunities

- Housing stipend available when applicable

- Some opportunities require a valid driver’s license.

- Depending on work location, exposure to mechanical, electrical, noisy and/or other hazards

- Depending on work location, may be required to meet requirements for unescorted access/security clearance.

- Required to wear personal protective equipment (hardhat, safety glasses, appropriate clothing, ear plugs, fall protection, etc.), as needed.

- Potential travel to project sites

- Many of our opportunities require a 40-hour work week.

- Internship/Co-op summer session length is 10-12 weeks

- Hybrid – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to the designated Duke Energy facility. Reliable, consistent transportation is required to ensure timely arrival at the applicable facility.

- Onsite Mobility Classification – Work will be performed at a company facility. Reliable, consistent transportation is required to ensure timely arrival at the applicable facility.

- Field Mobility Classification – Work will be performed in various field locations, as needed, after the onboarding period. However, field employees are required to live within a reasonable daily commute to their assigned work location. Reliable, consistent transportation is required to ensure timely arrival at the applicable facility.