Environmental Engineering Intern

Internship Opportunity at Steel Dynamics

Steel Dynamics is a leading industrial metals solutions company that produces lower-carbon, high-quality steel products primarily from recycled scrap. Operating through a circular manufacturing model, the company manufactures a wide range of steel products including flat roll, structural, and long products for industries such as construction, automotive, energy, and manufacturing. In addition to steel production, Steel Dynamics operates metals recycling facilities, steel fabrication plants, and aluminum production operations, serving customers across North America with a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability.

This Environmental Engineering Internship differs from typical programs because it is embedded in an active manufacturing environment where work informs real operational and sustainability decisions. Interns build direct relationships with operations, corporate leaders, and external partners, gaining a clear view of how environmental engineering supports business goals and community expectations. The experience emphasizes mentorship, data driven problem solving, and visible outcomes, creating a faster learning curve and a stronger professional network than many classroom style or observational internships.

This internship is located at the Steel Dynamics Structural & Rail Division located in Columbia City, IN. This internship will take place in Fall 2026 - Spring 2027, as well as Summer 2027.

Internship Benefits

• Furnished Housing Free of Cost: Provided for interns living more than 50 miles from their work site, including essential furnishings to ensure a comfortable stay during the internship.
• 401(k) & Company Match: Eligibility to participate in the company 401(k) plan with a 10–50% company match that vests immediately.
• Employee Discounts: Access to discounts on hotels, vehicles, and other goods and services through Steel Dynamics' nationwide partner network.
• Employee Assistance Program: Up to five free visits per issue, per year for counseling, legal advice, financial guidance, and other daily living resources.
• Intern Extravaganza: A two-day event at company headquarters featuring facility tours, networking with company leaders, cultural immersion, and connecting with other interns from across the country.
• Competitive Pay: Competitive hourly wages for all internship positions, rewarding the value interns bring to the company.

Responsibilities

• Support the Environmental Management System by maintaining procedures, records, and continuous improvement actions across air, water, stormwater, waste, hazardous waste, spill prevention, and radiation programs.
• Assist with environmental permitting by gathering data, drafting submittals, coordinating with consultants, and communicating with regulatory agencies.
• Collect, validate, and analyze environmental data for emissions, water quality, and waste streams, and build tracking tools and reports to demonstrate compliance with permit limits.
• Conduct field inspections of emission points, stormwater controls, waste accumulation areas, and radiation detection portals, document findings, and follow up on corrective actions.
• Perform sampling and monitoring to verify compliance with permit conditions, maintain chain of custody, and organize sampling records.
• Prepare or assist with required regulatory reports including emission inventories, Title V reports, SARA and Tier II submissions, deviation logs, discharge monitoring reports, and routine quarterly and annual filings.
• Participate in root cause analyses for exceedances or abnormal trends and help develop corrective and preventive actions with operations and maintenance teams.
• Support operation and performance tracking of pollution control equipment such as baghouses, scrubbers, and oxidizers, and recommend improvements where appropriate.
• Contribute to sustainability and decarbonization initiatives focused on emissions reduction, waste minimization, water stewardship, and recycling.
• Assist with contractor and vendor coordination, waste profiling and manifests, and value driven procurement to meet program goals.
• Help prepare for audits and inspections by organizing documentation, participating in walk throughs, and supporting responses to findings or Notices of Violation.
• Develop and deliver basic training or job aids for environmental requirements, and partner with the SDI Corporate Office on projects as needed.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor's degree in Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering (environmental emphasis), Chemistry, Geology, or Environmental Science.
• Clear communication and organized documentation skills to collaborate with operations and support compliance reporting
• Minimum of 2.7 GPA

Examples of Projects Steel Dynamics Environmental Engineering Interns Have Completed

• Participate in hands-on environmental compliance projects by tracking air quality metrics, reviewing emission sources, and aligning operations with federal and state regulatory standards.
• Create and manage detailed spreadsheets to monitor environmental compliance, specifically tracking sulfur dioxide (SO₂) emissions and evaluating results against EPA and IDEM limits.
• Support the air permitting process by compiling required documentation, collaborating with third-party consultants, and maintaining communication with regulatory agencies to ensure permit accuracy and timely submissions.
• Conduct field assessments of emission points and process areas to verify control equipment performance, identify potential non-compliance issues, and recommend corrective actions.
• Troubleshoot instances of elevated emissions using root cause analysis and process flow reviews, working with operations teams to implement technical solutions that improve environmental performance.
• Assist with environmental reporting by compiling and interpreting data for quarterly or annual reports, including Title V reports, emission inventories, and deviation logs.
• Gain direct exposure to chemical processing systems such as baghouses, scrubbers, and oxidizers, learning how these systems influence emissions and process efficiency.
• Support waste and water compliance efforts by reviewing sampling results, identifying permit exceedances, and participating in internal audits of hazardous material handling and stormwater systems.
• Work alongside Environmental Engineers to prepare for agency inspections, respond to Notice of Violations (NOVs), and implement corrective action plans.
• Develop a strong foundation in environmental management systems (EMS), learning how data collection, documentation, and operational discipline contribute to long-term regulatory compliance and sustainable operations.

Steel Dynamics, Inc., and all affiliated entities are equal opportunity employers.