Operations Technology Intern; OTCR Group - Municipal Water focus; Phoenix, AZ

Who We Are:

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities.

Our team of more than 265 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities.

We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, and to be recognized among Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.

Pay rate: $22hr, Based on our Phoenix, AZ office location. (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions).

Status:
Variable hour, Non-Exempt

Location(s):
Phoenix, AZ (  ).

This role requires an in-office presence for all hours worked

* RESUME AND COVER LETTER ARE REQUIRED FOR CONSIDERATION OF YOUR APPLICATION!*

Operational Technology Intern (OTCR Group)

DESCRIPTION

This internship is ideal for students interested in industrial automation, programmable logic controller (PLC) programming, supervisory control and data acquisition (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, operational technology, 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.

Who Thrives Here

Successful interns are typically:

• 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

What You’ll Learn

• 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

Services provided by our OTCR Group includes the following:

Process Controls and Optimization

• PLC programming, SCADA configuration, HMI development, control system integration, troubleshooting, commissioning, and operational technology (OT) system improvements for water and wastewater utilities.

Digital Resilience

• Assessment and improvement of operational technology cybersecurity, risk and resilience planning, emergency preparedness, and implementation of strategies to help utilities maintain reliable operations during cyber, physical, or environmental events.

Electrical, Instrumentation and Controls Design

• Electrical, instrumentation and controls engineering for industrial facilities, including control panel layouts, instrumentation integration, power distribution coordination, controls system design, and engineering…