Innovation Intern - Winter 2026

Description

Mortenson seeks an Innovation Intern to support the i4 Innovation Team, advancing initiatives from concept to full‑scale application. The intern will develop evaluation tools such as research presentations, schedules, and cost estimates for construction process changes, technology development, automation, and custom tools.

Core responsibilities include partnering with internal and external partners to design, manufacture, and test innovative products, processes, or systems; creating detailed research presentations comparing current methods with potential solutions; developing iterative schedules and investment estimates; collaborating with customers and vendors to create execution plans; quantifying and communicating results; and openly sharing failures as learning opportunities.

• Partner with internal and external agents to design, manufacture, and test innovative products, processes, or systems.
• Create research presentations that compare current processes and technologies with potential innovative solutions.
• Develop schedules and cost estimates to evaluate investment needs for implementations.
• Collaborate with internal customers and external vendors to produce accurate execution plans.
• Quantify and communicate project results, celebrating failures as learning opportunities.
• Support development of preliminary evaluation tools for construction process changes, technology development, process automation, and custom tools.

Requirements

Candidates must be pursuing a bachelor’s degree in fields such as Mechanical, Industrial, Systems, Electrical, Product, Automation, Computer Science, Architecture, Data Analytics, Materials Science, or Software Development. Preferred qualifications include a GPA of 3.0+, proficiency in Microsoft Office, basic knowledge of construction and engineering principles, strong teamwork, communication, problem‑solving and customer service skills, detail‑orientation, ability to manage multiple tasks, and experience in coding, robotics, automation, manufacturing or data analytics. The role may require up to 25% travel and reliable transportation.

The internship lasts at least 12 weeks, is full‑time (≈40 hours/week) during winter 2026, based in Minneapolis, and offers an hourly wage starting at $18 (higher for sophomores and above). Prior internship experience, reliable transportation, and legal authorization to work in the U.S. without sponsorship are required.

• Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in engineering, design, architecture, data analytics, software development, or a related field.
• Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.
• Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Basic to intermediate understanding of construction and engineering principles.
• Demonstrate strong teamwork, initiative, communication, problem‑solving, and professional customer‑service skills.
• Detail‑oriented, organized, and able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Experience (through study or work) in coding, robotics, automation, industrial manufacturing, or data analytics.
• Ability to travel up to 25% and have reliable transportation.
• Prior internship experience is preferred.
• Minimum 12‑week full‑time internship (≈40 hrs/week) in winter 2026, based at Mortenson’s Minneapolis headquarters.
• No visa sponsorship; must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.

Benefits

• Hourly wage starting at $18, with higher rates for sophomores and above.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance