Civil Design Engineer Internships
Civil design engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience across roadway design, site development, and infrastructure, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Construction & Real Estate, with Thomas & Hutton, Olsson, and Jacobs among the employers posting roles now.
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INTRODUCTION
Join the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner shaping a more sustainable future. LPA is a collective of designers, engineers, and researchers committed to tackling the biggest issues of our time. Our "No Excuses" integrated design approach was recognized by the AIA as “a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture". At LPA you’ll be part of the team that is changing the way the industry thinks about design and carbon emissions, built around the belief that we only achieve our goals when everybody has a seat at the table, and all input is valued.
LPA is seeking a Civil Design Intern to join our integrated team of architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, and master planners. In this role, you will collaborate with our civil engineering team on a diverse portfolio of projects, ranging from office, education, and recreation facilities to complex laboratories, healthcare environments, and performing arts centers. Our award-winning work is driven by a commitment to creating projects with lasting environmental, economic, and social impact. Examples of completed projects include Edwards Lifesciences, County of Orange Administration, and San Marcos High School.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participate in LPA’s integrated, multidisciplinary design process by collaborating with team members across multiple disciplines.
- Support project teams with tasks related to active civil engineering projects.
- Use AutoCAD and Civil 3D to assist in the production of design drawings and technical documentation.
- Attend team coordination meetings and occasional field visits to gain a deeper understanding of project scope, design intent, and construction conditions.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Mentorship from Designers, Project Engineers, Project Leaders, and Directors.
- Weekly intern check-ins and opportunities to connect with members of LPA’s leadership team.
- Participation in Embark, a one-day workshop with interns and new graduates featuring leadership engagement, project site tours, and exposure to multiple disciplines.
- Ongoing learning opportunities through LPA+U and LPA Tech Talks.
- Hands-on experience working on active projects within an integrated design firm.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
- Actively pursuing Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
- Strong interest in and enthusiasm for a collaborative, multidisciplinary design environment.
- Curious, open-minded, and eager to learn.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
LOCATION
LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas. We specialize in creating innovative, sustainable environments that work better, do more with less and improve people’s lives. We provide a vibrant and rewarding work environment—one that values and fosters creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, community engagement and ongoing career development and growth. LPA is also committed to diversity, wellness and work-life balance. LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.
NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES AND RECRUITERS
Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA’s request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.
INTRODUCTION
Join the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner shaping a more sustainable future. LPA is a collective of designers, engineers, and researchers committed to tackling the biggest issues of our time. Our "No Excuses" integrated design approach was recognized by the AIA as “a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture". At LPA you’ll be part of the team that is changing the way the industry thinks about design and carbon emissions, built around the belief that we only achieve our goals when everybody has a seat at the table, and all input is valued.
LPA is seeking a Civil Design Intern to join our integrated team of architects, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, and master planners. In this role, you will collaborate with our civil engineering team on a diverse portfolio of projects, ranging from office, education, and recreation facilities to complex laboratories, healthcare environments, and performing arts centers. Our award-winning work is driven by a commitment to creating projects with lasting environmental, economic, and social impact. Examples of completed projects include Edwards Lifesciences, County of Orange Administration, and San Marcos High School.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- Participate in LPA’s integrated, multidisciplinary design process by collaborating with team members across multiple disciplines.
- Support project teams with tasks related to active civil engineering projects.
- Use AutoCAD and Civil 3D to assist in the production of design drawings and technical documentation.
- Attend team coordination meetings and occasional field visits to gain a deeper understanding of project scope, design intent, and construction conditions.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Mentorship from Designers, Project Engineers, Project Leaders, and Directors.
- Weekly intern check-ins and opportunities to connect with members of LPA’s leadership team.
- Participation in Embark, a one-day workshop with interns and new graduates featuring leadership engagement, project site tours, and exposure to multiple disciplines.
- Ongoing learning opportunities through LPA+U and LPA Tech Talks.
- Hands-on experience working on active projects within an integrated design firm.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
- Actively pursuing Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
- Strong interest in and enthusiasm for a collaborative, multidisciplinary design environment.
- Curious, open-minded, and eager to learn.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
LOCATION
LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas. We specialize in creating innovative, sustainable environments that work better, do more with less and improve people’s lives. We provide a vibrant and rewarding work environment—one that values and fosters creativity, collaboration, critical thinking, community engagement and ongoing career development and growth. LPA is also committed to diversity, wellness and work-life balance. LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.
NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES AND RECRUITERS
Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA’s request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.
Civil Design Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Thomas & Hutton13
- Olsson8
- Jacobs6
- Galloway & Company6
- Colliers Engineering & Design5
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
Tips for Your Civil Design Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer internships
Large engineering consultancies and infrastructure firms open their summer intern cohorts the preceding fall and close them months before the start date. If you wait until spring, the structured programs are already full. Set a reminder to start searching in September and submit applications before December.
Build a design portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for civil design engineer interns have little work history to review, so a portfolio of two or three complete projects carries most of the weight. Include drawings, Civil 3D or AutoCAD files, stormwater or grading calculations, and a short description of your role in each. A shareable PDF or project site gives recruiters something to assess your technical ability directly.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and professors and career center staff often know which firms recruit from your school before roles post publicly. At the same time, apply directly to smaller engineering companies running cohorts outside campus pipelines. Combining both channels reaches employers you'd miss by relying on either one alone.
Practice your technical screen before you apply
Civil design engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering engineering fundamentals, software familiarity, and sometimes a design or problem-solving exercise. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud while working through problems, not just getting to the right answer. Interviewers weigh how you think through a drainage or grading scenario as much as the final result.
Target structured rotational and cohort programs early
Larger civil engineering firms and public agencies run formal internship cohorts designed to train candidates new to the field, rotating interns across transportation, water resources, and site development teams. These programs recruit in the first wave of the fall cycle and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your interests and get your application in before the initial deadline.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 10% of the civil design engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through openings, then filter by location and work type from the start. Applying only to roles you can actually accept saves time and keeps your focus on the listings worth pursuing.
Civil Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a civil design engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A design portfolio or CAD project file gives recruiters something concrete to assess your technical ability. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where civil engineering recruiters often move faster for candidates they meet in person.
Can a civil design engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for civil design engineer interns is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position yourself by delivering quality work and asking your manager about return-offer timelines without treating a full-time role as a given.
When should I apply for civil design engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large engineering firms and infrastructure companies recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often wrapping up offers before January. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Watching for new listings regularly keeps you ahead of cohorts that fill without much public notice.
Are civil design engineer internships paid?
Most professional civil design engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry sector, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Smaller firms and municipal agencies may offer lower rates than large private engineering consultancies, so compare carefully when evaluating offers.
What should a civil design engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the software you used, such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or ArcGIS, and link to or attach a design portfolio or CAD sample where possible. Add relevant coursework in transportation, hydrology, or structural analysis. Keep it to one page and put your strongest project at the top.
Are there remote civil design engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 90% of the civil design engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants nationally, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get civil design 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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