Power Electronics Intern

Location: Staunton, VA 24402

Join the world's largest HVAC company!

Position Summary

The Electrical Engineering Intern will support the design, development, testing, and manufacturing power & control systems for industrial chiller and related refrigeration equipment. This position provides hands-on experience working with electrical power distribution, electric drives, PLC-based controls, instrumentation, and system integration within a new product development and manufacturing environment. The intern will collaborate with chiller system engineers, controls engineers, and quality personnel to improve engineering designs for enhancing product performance, reliability, and manufacturability.

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Key Responsibilities

Electrical Design & Development

• Assist in the design and modification of power & control systems including electrical schematics, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts for air-cooled and water-cooled products.
• Support the development of electrical bills of materials (BOMs) and component specifications.
• Create and maintain design analysis for power & control components and systems, including power electronic components.
• Review drawings for compliance with applicable industry standards and design guidelines.

Controls Integration and Optimization

• Support the development and testing of power electronic components including variable frequency drives (VFDs), sensors, motors, and various control devices.
• Assist with troubleshooting power and control system issues during prototyping, manufacturing, commissioning, and testing.
• Participate in control sequence verification, point-to-point checks, and functional testing of chiller systems.
• Help collect and analyze operational data to support controls optimization efforts.

Product Validation and Verification

• Assist engineers in conducting product performance testing and validation and verification of power and controls components and systems in chiller products.
• Collect and analyze test data including voltage, current, power consumption, efficiency, temperature, and various motor and VFD performance factors.
• Support root cause investigations related to electrical and control failures and manufacturing issues.
• Prepare and present technical reports summarizing testing results, analysis outcomes and engineering recommendations.

Manufacturing Support

• Provide technical/engineering support to power and control system manufacturing teams in the factory.
• Assist with resolving wiring discrepancies, component substitutions, and production-related engineering inquiries.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on quality, safety, productivity, and cost reduction.
• Support implementation of engineering changes and design updates.

Compliance & Standards

• Assist with compliance efforts related to UL, NEC, NFPA 70, UL508A, and other applicable electrical standards.
• Support verification of electrical safety requirements for industrial refrigeration and HVAC equipment.
• Help maintain engineering records and documentation for regulatory audits and customer requirements.

Required Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (Junior level preferred).
• Basic understanding of electrical and electronic schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to read and interpret technical/engineering documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Self-motivated work style.

Completed coursework in

o Electrical and Electronic Circuit Analysis

o Power Systems

o Motor Controls (preferred)

o Industrial Automation

o Electrical Machines and Drives (preferred)

o Control Systems

o Power Electronics (preferred)

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of pre-employment requirements, including verification of employment history, education, background screening, and drug testing where permitted by law. Safety-sensitive positions may require cannabis (marijuana) testing. All testing and employment decisions will comply with applicable federal, state, and local laws.

If you're looking for an engaging career with growth opportunities in a supportive environment, you'll love a career at Daikin Applied!