Air Quality Engineer Internships
Air quality engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience monitoring emissions and modeling atmospheric conditions, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. {{top_industries_phrase}} lead in internship volume, with Burns & McDonnell, HDR, and TRC among the employers posting roles now.
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TRC has long set the bar for clients who require more than just engineering, combining science with the latest technology to devise innovative solutions that stand the test of time. From pipelines to power plants, roadways to reservoirs, schoolyards to security solutions, clients look to TRC for breakthrough thinking backed by the innovative follow-through of an industry leader.
TRC's professionals work with a broad range of commercial, industrial and government clients and the communities they serve. We deliver breakthrough solutions that address local needs - so our clients can better succeed in an ever-changing world.
Working at TRC means tackling interesting, meaningful projects. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, entrepreneurial zeal and agile corporate structure. We recognize that the expertise of our staff is our strongest asset, so we generously reward employees for successful performance and invest in their careers through training and the development of new skills and certifications.
TRC is seeking highly motivated and diverse Environmental – Air Quality Intern for our Summer 2027 intern program. This is a paid full-time position. Anticipated duration will be from June through August 2027 (flexible). This position has the potential to transition into a Full-Time role upon graduation. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Project Managers and Team Leaders and partner with engineers, scientists, and technologists.
- Accompany experienced employees at construction sites, indoor air quality projects, mold/moisture investigations, noise and industrial hygiene monitoring to observe how projects are performed.
- Communicates well with others, interested in observing how field work is conducted, detail-oriented, takes initiative, willingness to assist others, etc.
- Will entail conducting research, working on client software planning and implementation projects.
- Support the preparation of reports, plans and specifications for client.
- Will be supported by leaders, mentors and teammates.
- Perform other related duties and responsibilities as necessary.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Junior, senior, or master's student pursuing PhD, Masters, Bachelor or Associate Degree in Environmental science,Checmical, industrial hygiene and/or safety related majors or any related field.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Has excellent critical thinking, verbal and written communication skills.
- Communication, research, independent worker, takes initiative.
- Possesses solid technical and problem-solving skills.
- Self-motivated, detail orientated person.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
- Honest, fun, hard-working and ready to learn and grow.
- Safe driving record
- Experienced with industrial hygiene sampling pumps, noise dosimeters, indoor air quality meter, calibrating equipment, etc. Preferred.
Compensation: In accordance with local law, the below salary range is applicable for the job and location associated with this requisition. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.
Other Compensation: Employee may be eligible for participation in the Company’s annual Discretionary Bonus Program which is contingent on Company, Business Segment, and Individual performance against Key Performance Indicators which vary by year and employee.
The complete job description and application are available on TRC’s career site.
TRC has long set the bar for clients who require more than just engineering, combining science with the latest technology to devise innovative solutions that stand the test of time. From pipelines to power plants, roadways to reservoirs, schoolyards to security solutions, clients look to TRC for breakthrough thinking backed by the innovative follow-through of an industry leader.
TRC's professionals work with a broad range of commercial, industrial and government clients and the communities they serve. We deliver breakthrough solutions that address local needs - so our clients can better succeed in an ever-changing world.
Working at TRC means tackling interesting, meaningful projects. We pride ourselves on our collaborative spirit, entrepreneurial zeal and agile corporate structure. We recognize that the expertise of our staff is our strongest asset, so we generously reward employees for successful performance and invest in their careers through training and the development of new skills and certifications.
TRC is seeking highly motivated and diverse Environmental – Air Quality Intern for our Summer 2027 intern program. This is a paid full-time position. Anticipated duration will be from June through August 2027 (flexible). This position has the potential to transition into a Full-Time role upon graduation. The successful candidate will work under the supervision of Project Managers and Team Leaders and partner with engineers, scientists, and technologists.
- Accompany experienced employees at construction sites, indoor air quality projects, mold/moisture investigations, noise and industrial hygiene monitoring to observe how projects are performed.
- Communicates well with others, interested in observing how field work is conducted, detail-oriented, takes initiative, willingness to assist others, etc.
- Will entail conducting research, working on client software planning and implementation projects.
- Support the preparation of reports, plans and specifications for client.
- Will be supported by leaders, mentors and teammates.
- Perform other related duties and responsibilities as necessary.
- Must be at least 18 years old.
- Junior, senior, or master's student pursuing PhD, Masters, Bachelor or Associate Degree in Environmental science,Checmical, industrial hygiene and/or safety related majors or any related field.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Has excellent critical thinking, verbal and written communication skills.
- Communication, research, independent worker, takes initiative.
- Possesses solid technical and problem-solving skills.
- Self-motivated, detail orientated person.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and PowerPoint)
- Honest, fun, hard-working and ready to learn and grow.
- Safe driving record
- Experienced with industrial hygiene sampling pumps, noise dosimeters, indoor air quality meter, calibrating equipment, etc. Preferred.
Compensation: In accordance with local law, the below salary range is applicable for the job and location associated with this requisition. Compensation will vary based upon experience, education, skill level, geographical location, and other compensable factors.
Other Compensation: Employee may be eligible for participation in the Company’s annual Discretionary Bonus Program which is contingent on Company, Business Segment, and Individual performance against Key Performance Indicators which vary by year and employee.
The complete job description and application are available on TRC’s career site.
Air Quality Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Air Quality Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large employers, including federal agencies and national engineering consultancies, open summer intern cohorts the preceding fall and fill them before spring. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so check listings through the winter and spring rather than waiting for a single peak season.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Air quality engineer hiring teams want evidence you can do the work, not just describe it. Document two or three projects showing dispersion modeling runs, emissions inventory calculations, or air monitoring data analysis, naming the tools you used, such as AERMOD, GIS platforms, or EPA databases, and link to the output wherever possible.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and reduces your reliance on a single recruiting channel.
Practice the air quality engineer intern technical screen out loud
Intern interviews for this role typically include a technical conversation covering environmental regulations, dispersion modeling concepts, or data interpretation scenarios. Practice answering out loud and walking through your reasoning step by step, because interviewers weigh how you think through an air quality problem as much as whether you reach the right conclusion.
Air Quality Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an air quality engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For air quality engineer candidates, the concrete artifact recruiters want to assess is a documented project portfolio showing emissions data analysis, dispersion modeling work, or environmental monitoring lab reports with the tools and software you used. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an air quality engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For air quality engineer interns, what actually drives it is consistent performance on real project deliverables, team headcount going into the following year, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position yourself by treating every assignment as a full-time audition without counting on an offer before it's made.
When should I apply for air quality engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers, including federal agencies and major engineering consultancies, recruit summer cohorts the preceding fall, often with application deadlines in October or November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting until spring gives you the widest window.
Are air quality engineer internships paid?
Most professional air quality engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Government and nonprofit roles sometimes offer stipends rather than hourly wages, so reading the full listing before applying clarifies what each role offers.
What should an air quality engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools you used, such as AERMOD, AEDT, or GIS platforms, and where reviewers can see the work, whether that is a linked report, a GitHub repository with modeling scripts, or a published analysis. Add relevant coursework in atmospheric science, environmental engineering, or fluid dynamics, and keep the resume to one page.
Can international students get air quality engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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