Geotechnical Engineering Intern, Water Resources

Freeport-McMoRan

. Apply soil mechanics, hydrology, hydrogeology, hydraulics, slope stability analysis, and related principles under close supervision .

Posted 10/7/2026internshipRemote • Arizona • United StatesEntry Level💰 $29 - $36 per hourWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Apply soil mechanics, hydrology, hydrogeology, hydraulics, slope stability analysis, and related principles under close supervision
Support technical functions and projects involving tailings storage facilities, heap leach pads, and water dams
Assist with geotechnical and water management projects
Collect, organize, and analyze data from geotechnical instrumentation systems
Support field investigations including drilling, Cone Penetrometer Testing, test pits, sampling, and related field work
Generate cross sections, profiles, maps, and engineering figures using survey, instrumentation, and geological data
Support beach profiling, bathymetric surveys, drone surveys, and QA/QC activities related to tailings deposition and earthworks
Perform field inspections of slopes, embankments, beaches, drainage systems, ponds, and operational areas
Collect and verify water management field data and support water balance modeling
Prepare technical inspection reports, summaries, and presentation materials
Collaborate with site operations, engineering, environmental, and water resources teams
Perform data validation, trend reviews, and prepare technical summaries for engineering decisions
Perform other duties and special projects as required

Requirements

What you’ll need

Currently enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year university pursuing a bachelor's degree or higher in Civil Engineering or a closely related field; OR recent graduate within 12 months before the internship start date with a bachelor's degree or higher in Civil Engineering or a closely related field
Experienced in Microsoft Office applications including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D, MineSight, Power BI, or GIS-related software
Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills
Highly accurate and detail oriented
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Initiative and organizational skills, with the ability to work well under pressure
Ability to collaborate and work effectively in a team environment
Ability to follow health, safety, and environmental procedures in active mining and tailings management environments
Willingness to learn, ask questions, and apply engineering concepts in office and field settings
Interest in mining, tailings management, water resources, or geotechnical engineering
Ability to understand, apply, and communicate verbal and written work and safety-related instructions in English
Ability to multitask, work under pressure, and meet time-sensitive deadlines
Mandatory pre-employment and ongoing random drug testing as required by applicable state laws
Preferred: Master's degree student in Geotechnical Engineering or Civil Engineering
Preferred: Registered Engineering Intern or Engineer-in-Training status and passed Fundamentals of Engineering exam
Preferred: Knowledge of geotechnical instrumentation, cross sections, stratigraphy, site investigations, CPT, soil characterization, laboratory tests, hydrology, hydrogeology, hydraulics, sediment transport, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, MIKE-11, GoldSim, and ArcGIS

Benefits

Comp & perks

Hands-on experience in a dynamic and innovative environment
Opportunity to work on meaningful projects and initiatives that drive impact across the organization
Exposure to various aspects of business operations across North America sites
Ability to develop and enhance technical and analytical skills
Mentorship and professional development opportunities
Temporary full-time paid internship
Potential immigration work visa sponsorship based on business needs and eligibility
Virtual work program with remote work options from most U.S. states
In-person collaboration at the Phoenix Collaboration Hub and/or site locations when needed