Reliability Compliance Intern - Year Round

Apply by Date: 10/26/2026
Hourly Minimum Pay Rate: $24.58 / hour
Hourly Maximum Pay Rate: $29.95 / hour

SMUD is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Reliability Compliance Intern to support our Reliability Compliance & Coordination (RC&C) department. The department supports SMUD's efforts to ensure the planning, design, maintenance, and operations of the Bulk Electric System meet applicable reliability and security objectives, including compliance with NERC Reliability Standards.

In this role, the intern will support reliability risk management, compliance, data analysis, process improvement, and emerging technology initiatives. The position will provide opportunities to work with technical and business teams, analyze and validate data, support risk assessments and program requirements, and explore the use of AI, machine learning, and automation to improve processes and efficiency. The position offers an excellent opportunity for a student interested in risk management, AI/machine learning, cybersecurity, engineering, data analysis, or regulatory compliance to gain hands-on experience in a highly technical utility environment. The intern will help apply risk frameworks, working with cross-functional teams to gather data and support various program requirements, helping advance SMUD's commitment to reliable and secure electric service.

Key responsibilities include:

• Collect, organize, clean, validate, and analyze data supporting reliability risk, compliance, and other program activities.
• Support the reliability risk management program by refining data, validating risk information and scores, and performing data quality and reconciliation reviews across multiple sources.
• Assist with identifying opportunities to apply AI, machine learning automation, collecting, cleaning, and analyzing data for AI/machine learning projects to improve processes and program efficiency.
• Developing, testing, and maintaining scripts for data processing and algorithm implementation.
• Supporting the design, training, documentation and evaluation of AI/machine learning models.
• Collaborating with RC&C team to identify opportunities for AI applications to improve efficiency.
• Preparing documentation, presentations, and reports on findings and progress.
• Supporting the reliability risk management program by refining data, verifying risk scores, and performing audits across data sources.
• Helping to develop and enhance processes, tools, and procedures.
• Participating in meetings with stakeholders to support enterprise and reliability goals.
• Gaining exposure to SMUD's operations, compliance standards, and risk frameworks.

About SMUD's College Internship Program

SMUD's College Internship Program provides college interns with an opportunity to contribute their skills and knowledge to SMUD while gaining valuable work experience. Workshops and activities will also be part of the program where interns will have the opportunity to be immersed in SMUD's culture and learn leadership skills as well as develop their professional skills.

SMUD was also recognized by Interns 2 Pros for the 2020 Internship Program of The Year Award in recognition of excellence in internship strategy, implementation, and impact and was one of five finalists for the 2023 Internship Program of the Year from Interns 2 Pros along with Paramount, Fox Corporation, Intuit, and Toyota.

Application Deadline: It is guaranteed that the online system will accept applications until 5 PM on the apply by date. It is highly encouraged that applications are submitted well before the due date and time mentioned to make sure that it is submitted successfully.

Official SMUD Title: STEM Student Assistant

Internship Program Requirements:

• Students must be able to commute to the SMUD Offices in Sacramento, CA when requested to come in.
• To have a student position at SMUD, you must not have any relatives working at SMUD.
• Students must be enrolled and maintain enrollment as a full-time student, complete and pass at least 12 undergraduate units OR 8 graduate units, and receive at least a 2.0 GPA the semester/quarter prior to employment and for the duration of the internship. SMUD does not look at cumulative GPAs.
• During the summer, students can work up to 130 hours per month.
• Currently, SMUD is not hiring candidates for its student internship positions who require sponsorship from an employer either now or in the future. Such sponsorship is not needed for citizens, a U.S. National, a permanent resident, or one granted refuge or asylum status by the U.S. government. Visa holders typically require sponsorship in one form or another at some point in time.
• Diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) are a part of who we are and how we do things. Supporting efforts that promote pay equality is part of that. Salary placement for the selected candidate will be determined in alignment with the California Equal Pay Act or the applicable MOU. Determination for salary placement of internal candidates will be made without respect to current classification or compensation and will be based upon the candidate's qualifications as compared to those performing substantially similar work. In the event there is a guaranteed pay progression outlined in an applicable MOU, the MOU takes precedence.