Civil Engineer Internships
Civil 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 in Construction & Real Estate, Consulting & Professional Services, and Food & Beverage, with HNTB Corporation, Morrison-Maierle, and Black & Veatch among the employers posting roles now.
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For more than a century, Burgess & Niple has helped communities strengthen the infrastructure that supports everyday life. Our teams combine technical expertise with a commitment to improving quality of life, safety and sustainability. At B&N, that legacy shapes meaningful careers. You will collaborate on projects that make a difference, grow alongside experienced teams and contribute to work that has lasting impact.
Gain practical experience in bridge inspection with our team as a Civil Engineer Co-op, Bridge Inspection. In this role, you'll work alongside early career and experienced engineers and technicians to gain an understanding of bridge inspection and consulting. You'll gain hands-on experience across areas that could inspections of large bridges or ancillary structures, while developing the technical skills and problem-solving abilities that will create a foundation for your career.
What You'll Do
- Under the direction of experienced technical staff, you will learn the bridge inspection process according to NBIS (National Bridge Inspection Standards) for a variety of projects for state DOTs and/or local agencies
- Project tasks may include documenting and reporting bridge conditions for routine or special bridge inspection assignments using tablets and cameras
- Work side-by-side with rope climbing experts traveling to project sites and including some overnight trips
- Learn and understand training and safety techniques for bridge inspection
Skills & Qualifications
- Current undergraduate student in good academic standing pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil or Structural Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited program and completion of one year coursework required
- A strong interest in bridge and structural inspection engineering; previous co-ops are a plus
- Experience with Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Excel, and Word
- Ability to learn PDF markup/review tools, such as BlueBeam Revu or Adobe Acrobat
- Ability to learn MicroStation or AutoCAD/Civil3D drawing software packages, direct experience is a plus
- Excellent communication skills and a willingness to collaborate, learn, and grow
- Availability to work full-time Summer 2027 Semester
- Ability to travel, work at heights, and endure high levels of physical exertion walking, climbing, bending, carrying and lifting up to 50 lbs. of equipment
- Valid driver's license and good driving record
Typical work schedule is Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week with occasional overtime. Housing and transportation to/from work is the responsibility of the co-op, parking is provided. Travel and equipment expenses are paid for by Burgess & Niple.
Learn More
To learn more about B&N, our culture and what we offer, visit: www.burgessniple.com/careers/perks-culture
Burgess & Niple is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Click here to view our Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action Policy Statement.
Notice to Recruiting Agencies
Burgess & Niple partners with external recruiting firms on a limited, as-needed basis. These relationships are coordinated through our Human Resources (HR) team. Recruiting firms may submit candidates only through an active, approved agreement with Burgess & Niple HR. Resumes submitted without such an agreement, including those sent directly to hiring managers or employees, will be considered unsolicited and ineligible for placement fees. Click here
For more than a century, Burgess & Niple has helped communities strengthen the infrastructure that supports everyday life. Our teams combine technical expertise with a commitment to improving quality of life, safety and sustainability. At B&N, that legacy shapes meaningful careers. You will collaborate on projects that make a difference, grow alongside experienced teams and contribute to work that has lasting impact.
Gain practical experience in bridge inspection with our team as a Civil Engineer Co-op, Bridge Inspection. In this role, you'll work alongside early career and experienced engineers and technicians to gain an understanding of bridge inspection and consulting. You'll gain hands-on experience across areas that could inspections of large bridges or ancillary structures, while developing the technical skills and problem-solving abilities that will create a foundation for your career.
What You'll Do
- Under the direction of experienced technical staff, you will learn the bridge inspection process according to NBIS (National Bridge Inspection Standards) for a variety of projects for state DOTs and/or local agencies
- Project tasks may include documenting and reporting bridge conditions for routine or special bridge inspection assignments using tablets and cameras
- Work side-by-side with rope climbing experts traveling to project sites and including some overnight trips
- Learn and understand training and safety techniques for bridge inspection
Skills & Qualifications
- Current undergraduate student in good academic standing pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil or Structural Engineering or related field from an ABET-accredited program and completion of one year coursework required
- A strong interest in bridge and structural inspection engineering; previous co-ops are a plus
- Experience with Microsoft Office, specifically Outlook, Excel, and Word
- Ability to learn PDF markup/review tools, such as BlueBeam Revu or Adobe Acrobat
- Ability to learn MicroStation or AutoCAD/Civil3D drawing software packages, direct experience is a plus
- Excellent communication skills and a willingness to collaborate, learn, and grow
- Availability to work full-time Summer 2027 Semester
- Ability to travel, work at heights, and endure high levels of physical exertion walking, climbing, bending, carrying and lifting up to 50 lbs. of equipment
- Valid driver's license and good driving record
Typical work schedule is Monday – Friday, 40 hours per week with occasional overtime. Housing and transportation to/from work is the responsibility of the co-op, parking is provided. Travel and equipment expenses are paid for by Burgess & Niple.
Learn More
To learn more about B&N, our culture and what we offer, visit: www.burgessniple.com/careers/perks-culture
Burgess & Niple is an Equal Opportunity Employer
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, age, national origin, disability status, marital status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law. Click here to view our Equal Employment Opportunity & Affirmative Action Policy Statement.
Notice to Recruiting Agencies
Burgess & Niple partners with external recruiting firms on a limited, as-needed basis. These relationships are coordinated through our Human Resources (HR) team. Recruiting firms may submit candidates only through an active, approved agreement with Burgess & Niple HR. Resumes submitted without such an agreement, including those sent directly to hiring managers or employees, will be considered unsolicited and ineligible for placement fees. Click here
Civil Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- HNTB Corporation11
- Morrison-Maierle10
- Black & Veatch8
- Houston Engineering7
- Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction7
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Food & Beverage
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your Civil Engineer Internship Search
Apply for summer roles in the fall
Large infrastructure, construction, and engineering consulting firms recruit summer interns the preceding fall, sometimes filling cohorts by November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Starting your search in September rather than January puts you in front of the structured programs before they close.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
At the intern level, projects outweigh work history. Document two or three completed designs, site analyses, or coursework models, show the tools you used, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or MATLAB, and link or attach the output. A portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess when your resume has limited professional experience.
Work campus networks and direct applications together
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Your professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to smaller firms running their own cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach.
Practice the technical screen out loud
Civil engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering structural concepts, material properties, or design calculations depending on the team. Practice solving problems aloud and explaining your reasoning, not just reaching the answer. Interviewers weigh how you think through an unfamiliar problem as much as whether you get it right.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Many large engineering and construction firms run cohort or rotational internship programs built to train students new to professional practice. These programs recruit on their own timeline, often well before general postings appear, and fill fast. Identify the programs that match your engineering focus and apply in the first wave after they open.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 17% of the civil engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you start sorting, relocating for a summer, commuting to a local office, or working hybrid all shape which roles are realistic. Filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate first so you spend time on listings you can actually accept.
Civil Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a civil engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. Build a portfolio that shows completed design or CAD work, structural analyses, or site plans, so recruiters have something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a civil engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and acting early when return-offer decisions come up. Treat the internship as an audition, deliver on your assignments, and stay visible without counting on an offer before it's made.
When should I apply for civil engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large engineering and construction employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller firms and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking regularly and applying as soon as roles open gives you the best shot at structured cohort programs.
Are civil engineer internships paid?
Most professional civil engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, a large infrastructure firm in a high-cost city typically pays more than a regional consulting practice. Where employers disclose compensation, you'll see it directly in the listing.
What should a civil engineer internship resume include?
Lead with two or three complete projects, each listing the tools used, AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MATLAB, or equivalent, and a link or portfolio reference where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework in structures, geotechnics, transportation, or fluids depending on your focus. Keep it to one page and put projects above any part-time work history.
Are there remote civil engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 83% of the civil engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a co-op versus a civil engineer internship?
A co-op is a longer, alternating work-study arrangement where you leave classes for a full semester or quarter to work full-time with an employer, then return to complete your degree. A standard internship is typically eight to twelve weeks in the summer. Co-op programs recruit on a separate timeline from internships and are common at engineering schools with formal industry partnerships.
Can international students get civil 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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