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Engineering Intern

interstates

Sioux Falls, SD
Uncategorized

Job Score

70 pts
On-site model (+70)

Take Charge of Your Career at Interstates

At Interstates, we don’t just show up to work, we show up for each other. From our headquarters in Iowa to job sites across the country, we’re doing award-winning electrical, controls, automation, and OT work that powers industrial facilities for clients here in the U.S. and around the world. Whether you’re bending conduit, wiring panels, writing code, supporting projects, or helping things run behind the scenes, you’ll be part of a crew that works hard, shares laughs, and takes pride in doing quality work. We believe in building strong teams, doing the right thing, and making a difference in the communities where we live. If you want to grow and do meaningful work, you’ll feel at home here. 


A Design Services intern will support Interstates with a variety of tasks and projects, gaining hands-on experience in industrial electrical design and construction. This role offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in a dynamic, hands-on learning environment, working alongside seasoned professionals, develop an electrical construction vocabulary. Individuals will be actively involved in real projects, engaging with our teams as they work on current initiatives moving through the pipeline. This is an excellent opportunity to get an in-depth education in a specific electrical discipline as well as business operations, project management, safety, and other valuable skills that will be instrumental in your future career.

Primary Duties:

  • Equipment Lists – Collect data and review received information that represent the scope of the project
  • Design – Record design decisions in software like InterTrak (internal equipment list software) to facilitate design drawings and equipment specifications
  • Drawings – Use 2D and 3D drafting software to develop electrical drawings used to communicate project scope to the contractors or fabricators
  • Professional Communication – Utilize various software to provide clear communication with team members and clients regarding project updates

Secondary Duties:

  • Travel to job-sites or shop and work alongside the craft or manufacturing team as tasks/projects are completed
  • Network within Interstates industries to promote the Interstates brand and further promote our position as a premier provider of engineering services
  • In all aspects of the position, this role will carry out his/her duties in compliance with organizational policy and applicable laws
  • Other duties as assigned

Discipline Emphases – Each internship will focus on one of the following:

  • Studies
    • Utilize SKM to complete power system models and execute Arc Flash, Coordination, and Short Circuit analysis
    • Write reports to communicate the electrical hazards present, precautionary measures, and remediation recommendations
  • Power
    • Develop the electrical distribution plan to bring power from the utility to the utilization equipment (motors, devices, lights, and receptacles)
    • Use AutoCAD and Revit to develop electrical drawings communicating the scope of the project
  • PDP (Planning Design & Prefab)
    • Develop a constructible plan that facilitates successful off-site prefabrication and on-site installation of electrical systems
    • Use Revit to develop 3D BIM models and produce installation or manufacturing documents 
  • Controls
    • Design Automation Control Panels including PLC, and Remote I/O Panels and Low Voltage (480VAC) Motor Control Panels
    • Design electrical schematics and wiring diagrams for connections to field instrumentation
  • Instrumentation
    • Evaluate P&IDs (Process and Instrumentation Diagrams) to understand the process and validate device requirements
    • Size and select industrial measurement and control devices (Temp Transmitters, Flowmeters, Pressure Gauges, Hazard Monitoring, etc.) 
  • Field
    • Deliver elements of the above disciplines while working on-site alongside construction personnel
    • Aid in the design/build process by gathering field information and validating project design

Education and/or Experience:

  • 0-4 years of electrical experience/education, be working towards an engineering degree. Additionally, candidates pursuing a drafting degree from a technical college will be considered.

Preferred Skills:

  • Good communication (verbal, written, listening) and teamwork skills
  • Knowledge of, or interest in, manufacturing, industrial, and electrical systems
  • Ability to work with superintendents, engineers, estimators, and customers

Travel: Travel may be required and will vary according to business requirements and internship.

 

 

Interstates. Let's Build Logo

What You Should Know Before You Apply

Interstates may collect personal information as part of your job application, such as your contact details, work history, education, and any information you provide. This information is used only for recruitment, to evaluate your candidacy, and to meet legal requirements. For details about our privacy practices and your rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), please see our Privacy Policy. By applying, you acknowledge that you have reviewed this notice.

Interstates is an EEO provider and offers a drug-free workplace.  Employment at Interstates is at-will and may be terminated at any time with or without notice or cause, except as otherwise provided by law.

Discover Other Areas

Understand the scope of work, key skills, and tools used in different career areas.

About Web Designer

The Web Designer is the professional responsible for creating visual interfaces for websites, web applications, and landing pages, combining aesthetics, usability, and user experience. They transform business needs into functional and responsive layouts that communicate brand identity.

Key skills include UI design, responsive design, prototyping (Figma, Sketch, Adobe XD), wireframing, design systems, accessibility (WCAG), information architecture, and basic HTML/CSS knowledge. Knowledge of UX design, motion design, and front-end is a differentiator.

Web Designers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master design systems, design tokens, and can create interfaces that convert and engage. The field offers opportunities from junior web designer to product designer and design lead.

About People Analyst

The People Analyst is the professional responsible for transforming people data into strategic insights for HR decision-making. They combine data analysis knowledge with people management vision to help organizations understand workforce metrics, turnover, engagement, and diversity.

Key skills include people analytics, workforce analytics, turnover and retention analysis, HR metrics (time-to-hire, cost-per-hire, e-NPS), data visualization (Power BI, Tableau, Visier), workforce planning, and compensation analysis. Knowledge of statistics, SQL, and people analytics tools is a differentiator.

People Analysts in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who can translate complex people data into actionable insights for retention, diversity, and growth strategies. The field offers opportunities from HR analyst to head of people analytics, with a focus on data-driven people management.

About Content Writer

The Content Writer is the professional responsible for creating quality written content for websites, blogs, social media, and other digital platforms. They combine writing skills with content strategy and SEO to attract, engage, and convert audiences.

Key skills include blog content creation, landing pages, newsletters, social media content, keyword research, content strategy, editorial calendar, and SEO writing. Knowledge of WordPress, Surfer SEO, Ahrefs, and analytics tools is a differentiator.

Content Writers in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who can create accessible technical content, evergreen content, and content that generates organic traffic. The field offers opportunities from junior content writer to head of content, with a focus on quality, strategy, and content performance.

About Marketing

The Marketing area is strategic for the growth and positioning of any company. It encompasses traditional marketing, brand management, market research, trade marketing, product marketing, and market intelligence. Marketing professionals are responsible for planning and executing strategies that connect brands to their target audience.

Key skills include brand management, market research, competitive analysis, product marketing, trade marketing, pricing, relationship marketing, and channel development. Knowledge of research tools (Nielsen, Kantar, Ipsos), BI, and advanced spreadsheets is a differentiator.

Marketing professionals in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who master product marketing, go-to-market strategy, and data-driven marketing. The field offers opportunities from analyst to CMO, with a focus on growth, brand positioning, and return on investment.

About Ecommerce Analyst

The Ecommerce Analyst is the professional responsible for analyzing online sales data, buyer behavior, and virtual store performance to guide strategic decisions. They combine data analysis with ecommerce knowledge to optimize conversion, average order value, and return on investment.

Key skills include Google Analytics (GA4), Hotjar, conversion funnel analysis, cohort analysis, customer segmentation, pricing analysis, and ecommerce metrics (CAC, CLV, AOV, conversion rate). Knowledge of SQL, Power BI, Google Tag Manager, and platforms like Shopify and VTEX is a differentiator.

Ecommerce Analysts in technology companies are highly valued, especially those who can turn buyer behavior data into actionable insights to increase revenue and reduce cart abandonment. The field offers opportunities from junior analyst to ecommerce analytics manager.

Career Guides

Technology Career Guide

Planning, skills, interviews, and professional growth in IT, Data Science, DevOps, and Product.

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Design Career Guide

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Marketing Career Guide

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Finance Career Guide

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Communication Career Guide

Journalism, PR, Corporate Communication, Content Marketing, and Multimedia Production.

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Administration Career Guide

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Data Career Guide

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Product Career Guide

Product Management, Product Ownership, Agile, Scrum, and OKRs. From strategy to execution.

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Tech & Remote Glossary

Stop getting lost in interviews and job descriptions

The job market, especially within tech and global companies, has developed its own dialect. Not understanding these acronyms can make you lose valuable opportunities or poorly negotiate your contract. To end this problem, we created the Definitive Glossary for the Remote Professional.

🏢 Work Models & Routine

Async (Asynchronous Work)
A communication model where responses don't need to be immediate. Instead of back-to-back meetings, the team relies on well-structured documents, threads, and messages. It's the gold standard for global companies spanning multiple time zones.
Sync (Synchronous Work)
The opposite of Async. It requires the team to be online and available at the same time for meetings, live chats, and real-time collaboration.
Daily / Stand-up
A quick daily meeting (usually 15 minutes) common in Agile (Scrum) methodologies. The team answers three questions: What did I do yesterday? What will I do today? Are there any blockers?
All-Hands / Town Hall
A company-wide meeting involving all employees. Usually led by the founders (C-Levels) to present results, new goals, and answer team questions.
1:1 (One-on-One)
A recurring individual meeting between a professional and their direct manager. It is used for career alignment, feedback, and problem-solving, not just for project status updates.

💰 Contracts, Benefits & Compensation

PTO (Paid Time Off)
Instead of strict, categorized leave policies, modern US companies usually offer a flexible pool of days (e.g., 20 days of PTO, or even "Unlimited PTO") that you can use for vacations, sick days, or personal matters, while receiving your regular compensation.
Equity / Stock Options
Company ownership. The startup offers you the right to buy shares at a heavily discounted strike price in the future. If the company grows, goes public, or is acquired, these shares can be highly lucrative.
Vesting (Vesting Schedule)
The rule that controls your Equity. It usually lasts 4 years. You don't get all the shares on day one; you "earn" them gradually as you stay with the company. A "1-year Cliff" means you must stay for at least one year to receive your first batch of shares.
RSUs (Restricted Stock Units)
Unlike Stock Options (where you have the right to buy the stock), RSUs are actual shares the company grants you as a bonus or part of your compensation package, following a strict Vesting schedule.
Independent Contractor (1099 / B2B)
The most common international hiring model for global talent working for US companies. You act as a service provider (business-to-business), receiving the gross salary (often six-figure compensation) without standard local payroll tax deductions at the source.

🤖 Recruitment & Hiring Process

ATS (Applicant Tracking System)
The "robot" that reads your resume. Software like Greenhouse, Ashby, and Workday are used to filter candidates by keywords before a human even looks at the document. (Pro tip: this is why your resume must be clean, semantic, and have the right keywords).
JD (Job Description)
The document that lists the responsibilities, technical requirements, and benefits of the open position.
Cultural Fit
The interview stage that evaluates if your core values, communication style, and worldview align with the company's culture. This is the ultimate test of your Soft Skills.
Onboarding
The integration process. It's the period of your first few weeks at the company, where you get your access credentials, learn about the culture, study the internal documentation, and understand how the product works.

🚀 How to use this to your advantage?

The secret isn't just knowing what these acronyms mean, but using them actively. If during an interview for a premium tech role you ask, "How does your PTO policy and Vesting schedule work?", the recruiter will immediately perceive you as a high-level professional, familiar with the global market standards.

The remote job market requires preparation. And having the right vocabulary is the first big step to securing six-figure proposals and standing out among thousands of applicants.

Expert Tip

The Evolution of Support and Customer Success

The Evolution of Support and Customer Success: Opportunities, Tools, and the New Professional Profile

Discover how customer service evolved from a cost center into the ultimate growth and retention engine for the world's leading tech and SaaS companies.

The Current Landscape: From Cost Center to Revenue Engine

Historically, customer support was viewed by companies merely as a reactive department, focused on troubleshooting technical issues and closing tickets. However, with the consolidation of the SaaS (Software as a Service) business model and the subscription economy, the game has drastically changed.

Today, Customer Experience (CX) and Customer Success (CS) are the pillars of a company's financial sustainability. The logic is simple: in a highly competitive market, the Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC) is incredibly high. Losing a customer (Churn) means bleeding money. The modern support professional is, in reality, a strategist focused on retention, account expansion (Upsell/Cross-sell), and ensuring that the client achieves their desired outcomes using the product.

"Acquiring a new customer is anywhere from five to 25 times more expensive than retaining an existing one." — Harvard Business Review

Customer Support vs. Customer Success: Understanding the Difference

Although both areas walk hand-in-hand, their roles and success metrics in the job market are distinct. Understanding this difference is crucial for anyone looking to enter or advance in this career:

  • Customer Support: Predominantly reactive and transactional. The focus is on the speed and efficiency of issue resolution. Common metrics include First Response Time (FRT), Mean Time to Resolution (MTTR), and Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT).
  • Customer Success: A proactive and long-term function. The goal is to ensure the customer extracts maximum value from the product. CS professionals analyze the Health Score, conduct Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs), and directly target Net Retention Revenue (NRR) while combating Churn.

Market Opportunities and Global Remote Work

The global market for B2B Support and CS professionals is hotter than ever. Startups and major international corporations are massively hiring talent worldwide to provide 24/7 coverage across different time zones.

Opportunities range from entry-level roles, such as Customer Support Representative (CSR), to high-level executive positions like Key Account Manager, Implementation Specialist, Customer Success Manager (CSM), and Head of CX. For professionals with native or fluent English, "Global Remote" and "US Remote" positions offer highly competitive six-figure compensation packages, equity, and aggressive benefits.

Tech Stack: The Tools You Must Master

To pass through the rigorous ATS (Applicant Tracking Systems, like Greenhouse or Ashby) used by top-tier tech companies, your resume must showcase familiarity with the platforms that orchestrate the customer journey. The most demanded tools include:

  • Zendesk and Intercom: The global leaders in ticket management, asynchronous chat, and omnichannel support automation.
  • Salesforce and HubSpot: Essential CRMs (Customer Relationship Management) to maintain data history and alignment between Sales and Support teams.
  • Jira and Confluence: Atlassian tools crucial for escalating frontline bugs directly to the Engineering and Product teams.
  • Gainsight and Totango: Enterprise-grade platforms specifically built for Customer Success, used to monitor portfolio health predictively.

The Profile of the Modern CX Professional

The stereotype of the agent reading from a rigid script is a thing of the past. Tech recruiters are looking for a profile that blends emotional intelligence with analytical (data-driven) capabilities. The most valued competencies today are:

  1. Empathy and Resilience: The ability to de-escalate frustrated clients and turn crises into loyalty-building opportunities.
  2. Flawless Asynchronous Communication: Especially in remote work environments, clarity in writing emails, documentation, and chat threads is non-negotiable.
  3. Data Literacy: Knowing how to read dashboards, spot where users are getting stuck in the product, and suggest improvements based on hard data.
  4. Product Vision: Modern support acts as the primary feedback loop between the end-user and the Engineering and UX Design teams.