Operational Technology Intern; OTCR Group

Operational Technology Intern (OTCR Group)

Pay rate: $26hr (Lake Oswego, OR). Status:
Full-time, Exempt.

Location(s):
Lake Oswego, OR (). This position requires in-office attendance.

This internship is ideal for students interested in industrial automation, PLC programming, SCADA systems, and operational technology (OT) within critical infrastructure environments. Your work will contribute to systems that provide safe drinking water, protect public health, and improve the resilience of critical infrastructure serving communities across the United States.

This is not a "shadowing" internship. You will work alongside experienced engineers and consultants on real projects supporting critical water and wastewater infrastructure. We are looking for curious, self‑motivated individuals who want hands‑on experience, enjoy solving technical problems, and are excited to learn how automation, OT, and cybersecurity are applied in the real world. Successful interns will leave with practical experience, professional mentorship, and a strong foundation for a career in industrial automation and critical infrastructure consulting.

• naturally curious and eager to learn
• comfortable tackling unfamiliar technical challenges
• strong problem‑solvers
• interested in engineering, technology, and real‑world operations
• motivated to contribute beyond assigned tasks
• effective communicators and team collaborators

• industrial automation and control systems engineering
• PLC and SCADA platforms used in critical infrastructure
• OT cybersecurity and digital resilience principles
• engineering consulting and project delivery
• technical communication and client interaction
• real‑world troubleshooting and system integration

As an intern, you will be assigned meaningful project work and will be expected to take ownership of specific deliverables with guidance from senior team members. Depending on experience and project needs, interns will perform:

• PLC programming and SCADA configuration
• human–machine interface (HMI) development
• control system troubleshooting and commissioning
• technical writing and development of control strategies and SOPs
• control system and network infrastructure design
• electrical, control and instrumentation design
• technology master planning and existing system assessments
• risk and resilience assessments for critical infrastructure systems
• submittal reviews and engineering support tasks
• cybersecurity and operational technology initiatives
• research of emerging OT technologies and present recommendations to project teams

• Process Controls and Optimization: PLC programming, SCADA configuration, HMI development, control system integration, troubleshooting, commissioning, and OT system improvements for water and wastewater utilities.
• Digital Resilience: assessment and improvement of OT cybersecurity, risk and resilience planning, emergency preparedness, and implementation of strategies to maintain reliable operations during cyber, physical, or environmental events.
• Electrical, Instrumentation and Controls Design: engineering for industrial facilities, including control panel layouts, instrumentation integration, power distribution coordination, control system design, and engineering drawings and specifications.
• Technology Master Planning: evaluation of existing SCADA and OT systems, development of improvement recommendations, and long‑term planning for modernization and infrastructure upgrades.
• Project Management: support for project coordination, scheduling, and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams throughout planning, design, implementation, and commissioning activities.

• Function as an integral support team member and Operations Technology Specialist‑in‑training.
• Assist with PLC programming and SCADA configuration activities.
• Support troubleshooting, commissioning, system upgrades, and operational testing activities.
• Assist with development of technical documentation including control strategies, SOPs, and technical memoranda.
• Support SCADA Master Plan development efforts, including existing condition assessments, conceptual alternatives analysis,…