Intern/Co-Op-Product Design

Consumers Energy is Michigan’s largest energy provider, providing natural gas and/or electricity to 6.8 million of the state’s 10 million residents in all 68 Lower Peninsula counties. Consumers Energy knows job number one is to keep the lights on for customers. We are committed to delivering reliable, clean, and affordable energy to our customers 24/7.  

This position is not eligible for immigration sponsorship, e.g., H-1B, TN, etc. Please do not apply if you will need immigration sponsorship for a work visa now or in the future, including sponsorship for H-1B, TN, etc., now or in the future. We are unable to hire individuals with CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT for this position as the position is not eligible for participation in the H-1B lottery program and is not eligible for current or future immigration sponsorship for a work visa.

Location:  This is a hybrid position, in office, minimally 3 days per week.  The selected candidate must be within a commutable distance from the assigned location(s) or willing to find accommodations. Housing and living stipend arrangements may be available.

 Department Summary 

The Digital Products & Technology team is at the heart of innovation, powering Michigan’s future by crafting cutting-edge digital solutions that transform how our customers and communities experience energy. Guided by our Digital First strategy, we harness modern technical practices and agile methodologies to create intuitive, impactful software that drives measurable business value and enhances user experiences. Join a dynamic team where collaboration, creativity, and impact converge! 

We partner closely with business teams to uncover digital opportunities, prioritize high-impact outcomes, and deliver trustworthy, user-friendly technology. By embracing our CE Way principles—engaging on solutions, illuminating priorities, and minimizing waste—we build systems that are simple, helpful, and valuable. If you’re passionate about innovation, community, and shaping a sustainable energy future, come grow with us at Consumers Energy! 

General Summary of Responsibilities 

If you are a passionate and creative design student eager to gain practical experience and contribute to real-world projects, come join our dynamic team as an intern and immerse yourself in the exciting world of product design, learning from experienced professionals and developing your skills across various design disciplines. 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities 

• Collaborate with senior designers, product managers, and developers to understand project requirements and user needs. 

• Assist in conducting user research, including surveys, interviews, and usability testing, to gather valuable insights. 

• Translate research findings and user needs into design solutions, creating wireframes, prototypes, and user flows. 

• Utilize industry-standard design tools like Figma, to craft intuitive and visually appealing user interfaces. 

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of design systems and UI pattern libraries. 

• Participate in brainstorming sessions, design reviews, and workshops, actively contributing ideas and feedback. 

• Support the team in iterating on designs based on feedback and usability testing results to ensure a seamless user experience. 

• May assist in creating visual assets, icons, illustrations, and defining color schemes and typography as needed. 

• Document design decisions, specifications, and other related artifacts.  

Education/Experience 

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's degree program in UX Design, Graphic Design, Human-Computer Interaction (HCI), or a related field and a minimum GPA of 2.7 or better.

Preferred Experience 

• A strong portfolio showcasing your understanding of UI/UX design principles and methodologies. 

• Demonstrated proficiency in the Figma design tool. 

• Basic understanding of user research methodologies and usability testing practices. 

• Strong communication, collaboration, and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team, managing multiple tasks and meeting deadlines. 

• Enthusiasm for learning and a passion for creating exceptional user experiences.  

Preferred Skills 

• Familiarity with responsive design principles. 

• Basic understanding of front-end development technologies (HTML, CSS, JavaScript). 

• Interest in accessibility and UX best practices.  

IMPORTANT NOTE: This posting does not represent a specific position and is posted for the purpose of collecting resumes for students interested in an internship opportunity with Consumers Energy. Opportunities could include a summer 2027 or part-time opportunities.   

Due to the nature of this posting, and alignment to the winter/spring recruitment season, applications will be collected from September through October of 2026. Response to your application may be delayed due to the extended application period. The best way to stand out will be to visit us on campus! 

Why should you join our team?

At Consumers Energy, we offer more than just a place to work. We foster a culture that supports career development, growth, and stability, and we take pride in offering our co-workers excellent benefits and compensation packages. We are deliberately creating an inclusive culture that makes our diverse team of co-workers feel valued, supported, and empowered every day. We're a company made up of thousands of people, all with different stories to share and work to do, but we stand united in our company purpose: world class performance delivering hometown service.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion: 

We, at CMS Energy, value Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. It is part of our DNA. We treat our employees with respect, we treat each other fairly and we value the opinions of others. We are passionate about building and nurturing an environment where everyone feels included. We don’t discriminate. We seek to learn about each other and better understand our unique differences. Our uniqueness makes us authentic. We create safe spaces where everyone can be who they truly are. We invite difficult conversations and uncomfortable topics. We value diverse perspectives; this is what makes us great together. We harbor an inclusive environment where employees feel empowered to share their backgrounds, experiences, and ideas. Our Employee Resource Groups, Women in Energy (WE), Minority Advisory Panel (MAP), Pride Alliance of Consumers Energy (PACE), GENERGY (Different Generations), capable (Different Abilities), Interfaith, People Planet Partners, and Veterans Advisory Panel (VAP) are key enablers to living the values of our company culture: Caring, Empowered, Deliberate, Agility, and Ownership.

All qualified applicants will not be discriminated against and will receive consideration for employment without regard to protected veteran status, disability, race, color, religion, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.