Mechanical Engineering Student - Projects

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Canadian Natural Resources is offering a full‑time on‑site Mechanical Engineering Student opportunity in Calgary or Fort McMurray, with January or May term options focused on Oil Sands Projects such as Bitumen Production and Upgrading. You will gain hands‑on experience designing and verifying piping systems, supporting procurement scopes, and learning change management in a real world operation. Key requirements include currently pursuing a bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering, physical ability for field verification, solid design principles, and a valid Class 5 Alberta license. Apply with your resume, optional cover letter, and unofficial transcripts; highlight your mechanical aptitude, teamwork, safety mindset, and willingness to work at site locations. Benefits include competitive pay and relocation support.

The Opportunity:

Are you a student looking for an exciting opportunity that is full of meaningful, diverse, and ambitious assignments working alongside industry leading professionals? Join Canadian Natural, where we strive to provide opportunities based on your abilities, helping you to contribute in a meaningful way and apply your academic experience to challenging and rewarding projects!

As a Mechanical Engineering Student within our Oil Sands Projects team, you will have the opportunity to develop your knowledge of engineering principles and gain valuable hands-on experience by solving engineering and design problems for our world-class mining operations. You will be working in our Oil Sands Projects group in one of the following areas: Bitumen Production, Primary Upgrading, Secondary Upgrading, Support Units, Utilities and Off-Sites, Froth Treatment or Tailings.

• Job location: Calgary, Alberta – Head Office or Fort McMurray, Alberta at our Albian or Horizon Oil Sands site *
• Shift schedule: 
  • Calgary-based: 5 days on, 2 days off, 8 hours per day (Monday - Friday) 
  • Oil Sands-based: 4 days on, 3 days off, 10 hours per day (Monday – Thursday) 
• Term start & length: January 8 months or May 12 months
• Safety sensitive position: Yes

* Please note, depending on business needs, the work location may change. This would require the successful candidate to work at one of our Oil Sands sites north of Fort McMurray, AB.

Key Accountabilities:

• Work with mechanical discipline to learn the basic principles of engineering and design
• Design, specification, and field verification of pressure piping systems
• Support professional engineers in developing the technical scope of work for procurement of mechanical equipment
• Utilize hands-on mechanical aptitude and experience to solve daily problems and to increase and maintain the quality of design development
• Gain insight into how the oil and gas industry operates
• Gain an introduction to the management of change process during project execution
• Support and follow documentation quality control processes through discipline reviews and SQUAD checks
• Assist with and support work planning and project goals
• Assist in reviewing and checking designs by engineering contractors

What You Bring to The Role:

• Currently enrolled in a bachelor's degree program in Mechanical Engineering
• Physically capable of climbing ladders and temporary scaffolding stairs during field verification of constructed engineering designs
• Strong knowledge of basic design principles
• Strong mechanical aptitude
• Possess a valid Class 5 Alberta driver’s license or equivalent out of province license with a reasonably clean driver’s abstract

What We Offer:

• Competitive salary
• Paid time off during Christmas week and summer Fridays in July and August (Calgary)
• Quality camp facilities with multiple amenities available 
• Company Sponsored Fly-In/Fly-Out from Calgary or Edmonton, Alberta
• Multiple volunteer opportunities within the community
• Students may be eligible for relocation assistance pursuant to Canadian Natural’s Student Relocation Policy (students will be responsible for finding their own accommodations during the work term)
• Opportunities to partake in initiatives such as the Intern Social Committee

Check out our COMPENSATION & BENEFITS overview to see what we have to offer!

If you are interested in this exciting student work term opportunity, please include your resume, cover letter (optional) and unofficial transcripts as part of your online application.

All candidates applying to Canadian Natural must have legal authorization to work in Canada with no restrictions.

We wish to thank all applicants for their interest and effort in applying for the position; however, only candidates selected for interviews will be contacted. This posting will close once a successful candidate has been selected.

Canadian Natural operates one of the largest Campus Recruitment programs in the country, hiring over 400 students every year. Students hired on with us are made to feel a part of the team, gaining high level experience, knowledge, and training that introduces and prepares them for full-time employment. 

We are proud to share that Canadian Natural has been ranked as a Top Employer for 2023, 2024 and 2025 by Canada's Future Workforce and also one of Forbes' Canada's Best Employers in 2025 and 2026.

Industry Leader: We commenced business in 1989 with a handful of employees and modest production, but today we employ more than 10,000 people and produce over 1 million BOE/d. 

Community Investment: Social responsibility is a critical element of our commitment to responsible operations and part of our success and pride as a Company. We are committed to investing in the communities where we live and work, creating shared value along the way.

Compensation and Benefits: We strive to share Company success with all employees through a comprehensive total compensation package.

Our People, Our Stories: Our stories demonstrate the strong culture that exists at Canadian Natural – one that focuses on developing people, working together and doing it right, with fun and integrity.

Check out some of our Student Testimonials!