Associate Project Engineer Internships
Associate project engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Performance Contracting, Potelco, and Quanta Services among the employers posting roles now.
Find InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 10+ Associate Project Engineer Internships











Performance Contracting Group is a national employee-owned specialty contractor that offers quality services and products to the commercial, industrial, and non-residential construction markets. We are committed to recruiting, developing, and advancing employees from a diversity of backgrounds and experiences, as well as supporting a culture of safety and inclusiveness that allows you to contribute to your fullest potential. We place high value on training and professional development, encouraging you to broaden and strengthen your unique skill sets so you can fully realize your potential.
Job Description
Performance Contracting is seeking motivated college students with a strong work ethic to join our Associate Project Engineer summer internship program. This internship opportunity is designed to equip interns with the essential tools and resources needed to gain comprehensive insight into the specialty construction industry.
Through close mentorship and engaging hands-on activities, this summer program enables interns to gain real-world experience and develop a solid foundation in construction management.
Each intern will be paired with a dedicated mentor who will guide them through the Performance Contracting Intern Activities Checklist, a structured framework that provides interns with exposure to various functions within PCI's operations. As checklist tasks are completed, interns will submit Weekly Project Recaps that provide detailed descriptions of activities completed, the individuals they collaborated with, and key takeaways from each learning opportunity.
Examples of tasks to be completed on the Intern Activities Checklist include:
- Learn how to write detailed proposals
- Prepare bid analysis and review
- Understand and demonstrate project scheduling
- Attend pre-bid walk-throughs
- Learn the management process of project labor control, material handling, and job-cost analysis
- Learn how to effectively manage subcontractors, materials, and equipment
- Work directly with owners, construction managers, architects, engineers, and contractors
- Assist in the preparation of quantity take-offs
- Maintain accurate and timely project documentation and correspondence
- Understand the preparation of a financial job cost analysis
- Learn the administration of the corporate safety program to ensure job site safety
- Understand specialized equipment utilization
- Track and cost value material handling
Hourly wage: $22.00.
This role is not eligible for employer-sponsored visas.
Basic Requirements
- Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Construction Management, Construction Science, or a comparable field of study
- Must have a reliable source of transportation
- Must be willing to temporarily relocate for the assignment
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite, including Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word
- A clear understanding of how to read and interpret specifications and drawings
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Ability to learn new skills by engaging in technical job functions and applying new skills as they are taught
- Strong customer service skills
- Must have critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Ability to multitask
- Demonstrated baseline construction knowledge acquired through relevant work experience or completion of a second-year construction management/engineering curriculum
- Basic knowledge of Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and/or On-Screen Takeoff is a plus
- Basic knowledge of Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and/or On-Screen Takeoff is a plus
At Performance Contracting Group, our employees are our greatest asset. We put our people first and are proud to provide a comprehensive benefits package designed to meet the needs of our employees at every stage of life.
In our commitment to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive personally and professionally, we offer:
- Competitive hourly pay
- Paid holidays
- $2,000 scholarship
- Medical and prescription drug insurance plans with flexible spending account option
- Employee assistance program (EAP)
PCG is a background screening, drug-free workplace. In accordance with the provisions of Tennessee Code Annotated (T.C.A.), Title 50, Chapter 9, PCG’s Drug-Free Workplace Program includes drug and alcohol testing as part of the hiring process and throughout employment, as applicable.
Please note this job description is not designed to contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
NOTICE TO STAFFING FIRMS, AGENCIES, AND EMPLOYMENT VENDORS:
Performance Contracting Group and its affiliates will not accept unsolicited resumes or claims on candidates from third-party employment vendors unless a signed Fee Agreement is in place AND a candidate has been submitted into our applicant tracking system (Dayforce). Vendor solicitation should be directed to the Corporate Recruitment Department directly; as such, firms that circumvent the required compliant process will be barred from submitting candidates. In the absence of a signed Fee Agreement and proper resume submission, PCG does not recognize any claim on a candidate by a third party and will consider unsolicited resumes the property of the company, reserving the right to engage and hire those candidates without any financial responsibility to the third-party vendor.
#PCI
Associate Project Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring



Tips for Your Associate Project Engineer Internship Search
Apply months before the summer start date
Large engineering firms and infrastructure companies open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller employers and co-op programs post on a rolling basis. Start searching in August and September rather than waiting for the new year.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for associate project engineer interns want evidence, not just a list of classes. Document two or three projects with the tools used, the problem you solved, and a link to the deliverable, whether that is a CAD model, a design drawing, a project plan, or a technical report. That artifact gives recruiters something specific to discuss in a screen.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they can meet in person. Professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to smaller companies running their own cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach.
Practice your technical screen out loud before the first interview
Associate project engineer intern screens typically involve a technical or problem-solving component, which may include reviewing engineering drawings, working through a project scenario, or explaining your design process. Practice explaining your reasoning as you work, not just arriving at an answer, since interviewers weigh how you think as much as the final result.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Many large engineering and construction employers run formal intern cohorts, university liaison programs, or rotational tracks designed for people new to the field. These programs recruit on fixed timelines, fill fast, and often have a dedicated application process separate from general postings. Identify the ones that fit your location and discipline and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 100% of the associate project engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to, whether on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you start applying, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you are not sorting through roles you cannot take.
Associate Project Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an associate project engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A portfolio, linked project documentation, or CAD files gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Apply directly to companies with open postings, and show up to campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an associate project engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For associate project engineer interns, what actually drives it is delivering on real project assignments, fitting the team's headcount plans for the following year, and expressing your interest early rather than at the final week. Treat the internship as an audition, but keep applying elsewhere so you are not counting on one outcome.
When should I apply for associate project engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large engineering employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with structured programs opening applications as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, which means openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single seasonal push gives you the widest window.
Are associate project engineer internships paid?
Most professional associate project engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it, so you can compare options as you apply.
What should an associate project engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects, naming the tools and software used and linking to the work where possible, whether that is a CAD portfolio, a published design file, or a project report. Add relevant coursework and any technical certifications. Keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote associate project engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the associate project engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly once they open, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get associate project 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.
See All 10 Associate Project Engineer Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Internships