Energy Efficiency Intern

Donaldson is committed to solving the world's most complex filtration challenges. Together, we make cool things. As an established technology and innovation leader, we are continuously evolving to meet the filtration needs of our changing world. Join a culture of collaboration and innovation that matters and a chance to learn, effect change, and make meaningful contributions at work and in communities.

The Donaldson internship program provides innovative students with meaningful, hands-on experience in a collaborative industry environment. Through real-world projects, mentorship, and development opportunities, we aim to support career growth and build a talent pipeline aligned with our values and goals. This internship takes place at our Bloomington, MN headquarters, during a 10-12-week period.

Donaldson is committed to achieving sustainability goals and reducing operational expenses through energy efficiency. This internship focuses on developing a low-cost, open-source data logger solution to enable sub-metering of production equipment across our global manufacturing facilities. The intern will design a system that monitors digital and analog signals, translates them into energy consumption values, and presents the data in an accessible format for non-technical users. This project supports the implementation of energy management systems such as ISO 50001 and 50001 Ready, while emphasizing cost reduction and operational efficiency.

The intern will work within the Manufacturing Excellence Sustainability Team and receive limited support from subject matter experts while being expected to work independently and conduct their own research.

Role Responsibilities

• Design and build a low-cost data logger setup using open-source controllers (e.g., Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black).
• Develop a bill of materials and detailed programming instructions for typical industrial monitoring scenarios:
  • Accessing temperature controllers (Omron, Honeywell, Allen Bradley, etc.)
  • Gas valves with pulse or analog inputs
  • Motor runtime monitoring
  • Temperature logging (32F to 600F)
  • Pressure (gas or liquid)
• Ensure compliance with IT security requirements for data storage and transmission. Connection to Ethernet for remote access as allowed by IT.
• Create a user-friendly interface for viewing data without programming skills.
• Incorporate energy and cost calculations to make data actionable for management.
• Potentially design and prototype a custom PCB for common manufacturing applications.

Travel: May include limited travel, up to 10% if applicable.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled undergraduate in an accredited program pursuing a bachelor's in electrical engineering, computer engineering, mechanical engineering (with controls experience), industrial engineering, computer science (with hardware experience) or a related field.
• Programming experience in Python, C/C++, or similar for microcontrollers.
• Hardware experience with Arduino, Raspberry Pi, BeagleBone Black or related.
• Electronics experience with soldering, circuit design and sensor integration.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Problem-Solving: Self-starter with strong research and troubleshooting skills.
• Data Visualization: Ability to present data in clear, intuitive formats.
• Networking & Security: Basic understanding of IT security for IoT devices.
• Experience with tools such as Node Red, MQTT, and/or SQL.
• Minimum 3.0 out of 4.0 cumulative GPA.

Relocation: This position is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Hourly Pay Range: $16.00-27.00, depending on projected undergraduate graduation date, educational degree in progress and major of study upon time of hire.

This position is overtime eligible as per state and federal regulations.

Employee benefits are part of the total rewards package that Donaldson Company, Inc. provides to you. Our benefits program includes retirement plan (401k), paid time away - sick and safe time (MN only), and the employee assistance program.

Immigration Sponsorship Not Available:

• Applicants for this position must be currently and legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future sponsorship (e.g., H-1B, J-1, F-1, CPT, OPT, etc.).

• Donaldson will not offer immigration sponsorship or assume sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

• International relocation or remote work arrangements outside of the U.S. will not be considered.

Keywords: controls engineering, electrical engineering, electronics

Equal Opportunity Employer, including Disability and Veterans

Employment opportunities for positions in the United States may require use of information which is subject to the export control regulations of the United States. Hiring decisions for such positions are required by law to be made in compliance with these regulations. Applicants for employment opportunities in other countries must be able to meet the comparable export control requirements of that country and of the United States.

Donaldson Company has been made aware that there are several recruiting scams that are targeting job seekers. These scams have attempted to solicit money for job applications and/or collect confidential information, Donaldson will never solicit money during the application or recruiting process. Donaldson only accepts online applications through our Careers | Donaldson Company, Inc. website and any communication from a Donaldson recruiter would be sent using a donaldson.com email address. If you have any questions about the legitimacy of an employment opportunity, please reach out to talentacquisition@donaldson.com to verify that the communication is from Donaldson.

Our policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified persons without regard to race, gender, color, disability, national origin, age, religion, union affiliation, sexual orientation, veteran status, citizenship, gender identity and/or expression, or other status protected by law.