Architect Internships
Architect internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working architects, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Dennis, HNTB Corporation, and AR Architecture among the employers posting roles now.
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As a design build engineering firm and general contractor, Dennis Group’s Architects support our industrial architectural practice in designing and building food and beverage processing facilities. Our projects are industrial projects that are complex and require frequent interaction with our project managers, process designers, and multiple different disciplines of engineering staff. The Architect is a key role in all phases of architectural design and facility programming for defining spaces and their characteristics from proposal development through construction administration. Architects apply knowledge in areas of sanitary design, building materials, and construction methods. As an Architect Intern on the Dennis Group team responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Responsibilities
- Prepare programming and concept development documentation to meet clients’ needs and budget.
- Assist in establishing budget, task schedule, and other components of a project work plan with the Project Manager
- Help review applicable agency review analysis for codes, zoning, accessibility, life-safety, etc.
- Carry out design and architectural detailing tasks including site and building planning studies, elevation studies, stairs, functional space layouts, building sections, wall sections, special details, etc.
- Produce schematics, design development and construction documents; make decisions and negotiate critical issues in collaboration with the Project Manager and other team members.
- Prepare presentation materials (renderings, drawings)
- Assist in document coordination including design drawings construction documentation and specifications.
- Help maintain and improve office architectural standards, details and production tools.
- Prepare submittals for regulatory / permit approval.
- Develop code analysis sheets.
- Perform quantity surveys.
- Prepare bid tabs.
- Perform construction administration duties - RFI’s, RFP’s, change orders, on-site observation, etc.
- Maintain contact with clients, consultants, and contractors.
- Participate in marketing efforts and presentations to prospective clients.
- Supporting talent growth within our organization .
Required Education Skills and Experience
- Sophomore, Junior or Senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Pursuing a master’s degree is a plus.
- GPA: 0 or above
- Industrial and /or Commercial Architectural and LEED experience is a plus.
- Desire to work on, familiar with, or experience in commercial or industrial projects.
- Familiarity with building codes, specifications, building and engineering systems.
- Familiarity and/or experience with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office is necessary.
- Familiarity and/or experience with Revit is strongly preferred.
- Familiar with all phases of a project including construction documentation review.
- Understanding of the project management process.
- Effective verbal, written and graphic communication skills.
- Professional and collaborative work ethic.
- Must meet travel requirement - overnight travel not less than 25% of any given year to client facilities and construction sites.
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift-up to 15 pounds at times.
Travel Requirement
- Up to 25% of travel required to visit project site and other offices.
About Us
We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.
Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.
Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
As a design build engineering firm and general contractor, Dennis Group’s Architects support our industrial architectural practice in designing and building food and beverage processing facilities. Our projects are industrial projects that are complex and require frequent interaction with our project managers, process designers, and multiple different disciplines of engineering staff. The Architect is a key role in all phases of architectural design and facility programming for defining spaces and their characteristics from proposal development through construction administration. Architects apply knowledge in areas of sanitary design, building materials, and construction methods. As an Architect Intern on the Dennis Group team responsibilities include, but not limited to:
Responsibilities
- Prepare programming and concept development documentation to meet clients’ needs and budget.
- Assist in establishing budget, task schedule, and other components of a project work plan with the Project Manager
- Help review applicable agency review analysis for codes, zoning, accessibility, life-safety, etc.
- Carry out design and architectural detailing tasks including site and building planning studies, elevation studies, stairs, functional space layouts, building sections, wall sections, special details, etc.
- Produce schematics, design development and construction documents; make decisions and negotiate critical issues in collaboration with the Project Manager and other team members.
- Prepare presentation materials (renderings, drawings)
- Assist in document coordination including design drawings construction documentation and specifications.
- Help maintain and improve office architectural standards, details and production tools.
- Prepare submittals for regulatory / permit approval.
- Develop code analysis sheets.
- Perform quantity surveys.
- Prepare bid tabs.
- Perform construction administration duties - RFI’s, RFP’s, change orders, on-site observation, etc.
- Maintain contact with clients, consultants, and contractors.
- Participate in marketing efforts and presentations to prospective clients.
- Supporting talent growth within our organization .
Required Education Skills and Experience
- Sophomore, Junior or Senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Architecture. Pursuing a master’s degree is a plus.
- GPA: 0 or above
- Industrial and /or Commercial Architectural and LEED experience is a plus.
- Desire to work on, familiar with, or experience in commercial or industrial projects.
- Familiarity with building codes, specifications, building and engineering systems.
- Familiarity and/or experience with AutoCAD and Microsoft Office is necessary.
- Familiarity and/or experience with Revit is strongly preferred.
- Familiar with all phases of a project including construction documentation review.
- Understanding of the project management process.
- Effective verbal, written and graphic communication skills.
- Professional and collaborative work ethic.
- Must meet travel requirement - overnight travel not less than 25% of any given year to client facilities and construction sites.
Physical Requirements
- Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift-up to 15 pounds at times.
Travel Requirement
- Up to 25% of travel required to visit project site and other offices.
About Us
We plan, design, engineer, and build food plants for major brands across the country and the world. For the past three decades, we’ve focused exclusively on the food and beverage industry, helping your favorite brands put your favorite foods in the grocery store. Simply put, food isn’t one thing we do, it’s all we do.
Dennis Group offers competitive compensation packages commensurate with experience. We provide comprehensive employee benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, paid time off including an open vacation policy, as well as bonus, profit-sharing, and retirement plans.
Dennis Group is proud to provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, or genetics.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Architect Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Architect Internship Search
Apply earlier than your classmates do
Large architecture firms and corporate design studios recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before winter break. Smaller studios and co-op programs post closer to their start dates. Checking listings in September and continuing through spring means you catch both cycles without missing the early wave.
Build a portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for architect internships evaluate candidates on project work, not job history. Assemble two or three complete studio or personal projects showing design development, technical drawings, and software output in tools like Revit, AutoCAD, or Rhino. A linked or PDF portfolio gives reviewers something concrete to assess when your resume is light on experience.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and professors and career center staff often know which firms recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to smaller studios running their own cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach without waiting for a fair date.
Practice the architect intern interview format out loud
Architect intern interviews typically include a portfolio review where you walk through design decisions and defend your process, plus questions on technical software and problem-solving under constraints. Practice presenting your portfolio out loud, explaining your reasoning at each step, since interviewers weigh how you think through a design problem as much as the finished output.
Target structured internship and AXP-affiliated programs early
Larger firms running formal cohorts tied to the Architectural Experience Program recruit early through university partnerships and fill their spots fast. Identify firms in your target market that run AXP-affiliated programs, confirm their application windows in the fall, and apply in the first wave rather than treating them as a backup option.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the architect internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you begin reviewing openings, then filter by location and work type so you're not sorting through roles that don't fit your situation. Applying only to roles you can actually accept keeps your effort focused and your response rate higher.
Architect Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an architect internship?
Lead with coursework, studio projects, and a design portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level, and a strong portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess for architect candidates. Combine direct applications to firms and studios with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an architect internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it is consistent performance on real project work, the firm's headcount at the end of the season, and whether you express continued interest early. Position for a return offer by treating every assignment as you would a full-time role, without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for architect internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large firms and architecture and design corporations recruit summer interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller studios and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you won't miss a cohort that fills before spring.
Are architect internships paid?
Most professional architect internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry sector, and location, and listings show pay where the employer discloses it. Unpaid positions exist but are less common at firms operating under standard labor guidelines, so filter for paid roles when that matters to you.
What should an architect internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history: two or three complete, documented projects that name the software tools used and link to or reference a design or CAD portfolio where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework such as structural systems, building technology, or design studios. Keep the resume to one page and list technical software proficiencies clearly.
Are there remote architect internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the architect internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is an architectural internship development program (IDP/AXP)?
The Architectural Experience Program (AXP), formerly IDP, is a structured pathway administered by NCARB that architect candidates complete alongside internship work to satisfy licensure requirements. Many firms running formal intern cohorts participate in AXP and assign mentors to guide hours documentation. It recruits early through university partnerships and is competitive, so identify participating firms and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get architect 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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