Operations Research Intern Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Learning begins in the classroom but there's no better place to gain real-world experience than with Stantec. Interns are an integral part of our teams, working to solve some of the world's most complex challenges.
As an intern, you'll work alongside our experienced practitioners and with our clients and communities. This hands-on experience will equip you with practical skills, build your network, and provide opportunities that set you up for success.
The applied research intern will support pilot-scale research advancing next-generation water and wastewater treatment technologies. Working closely with the Water BOU's Office of Research, Innovation & Technology (ORIT), the intern will collaborate daily with the research team in Denver, principal investigators, system designers, and the broader ORIT research team (primarily virtually).
This role is field-focused, with daily work conducted at two pilot facilities-a drinking water treatment plant and a wastewater treatment site. The intern will play a key role in advancing innovation in two high-priority areas: PFAS treatment technologies and biological nutrient removal (BNR). The position reports to an Innovation Portfolio Manager within ORIT. The intern will gain hands-on experience in applied research, process engineering principles, experimental design, data analysis, and the role of research in a consulting and client-service environment. This is a full-time summer position with the potential to continue part-time during the academic year.
Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Collaborate with ORIT's research team to support: - Daily experimental and operational tasks
• Troubleshooting analytical methods, instrumentation, and mechanical systems
• Research planning, decision support, and documentation
• Work onsite daily at two pilot facilities, including a containerized wastewater treatment pilot treating real wastewater. The candidate should be comfortable working in a field environment that can be noisy and physically demanding, and must follow all Stantec safety policies and procedures.
• Troubleshoot mechanical systems with guidance and implement corrective actions.
• Conduct sampling and analytical testing independently, following standard methods and protocols (training provided).
• Review, interpret, and synthesize academic and industry literature to support research conclusions.
• Organize, analyze, and visualize data to support technical findings and project decision-making.

Contribute to ORIT's innovation culture, collaborating with colleagues across the water business.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities.
• Laboratory experience, including wet chemistry techniques.
• Ability to independently conduct sampling and analytical testing using established methods.
• Ability to review and synthesize academic research.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office tools (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Excellent oral and written communication skills for technical and non-technical audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and priorities in a dynamic research environment.
• Strategic thinking paired with hands-on, tactical execution.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across disciplines and interact with clients.
• Team-oriented mindset with a willingness to share ideas and build innovation culture.
• Knowledge of water, wastewater, or biosolids treatment processes is beneficial, but not required.
• Exposure to process engineering and process modeling tools is beneficial, but not required.

Education and/or Experience

• Currently enrolled in a B.S. or higher degree program in environmental or chemical engineering or related with lab and research experience

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other's talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best.
Pay Range:
• $23.47 - $34.50 Hourly
Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.
Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).
Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.
The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements
Primary Location: United States | CO | Denver
Organization: BC-2567 Water-US Assets
Employee Status: Temporary
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: No
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 25/06/2026 02:06:46
Req ID: 1006445
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.