Civil Engineering Intern Jobs in District of Columbia
Civil Engineering Intern jobs in District of Columbia are concentrated in Washington, D.C. itself, where federal agencies, major infrastructure projects, and policy-driven construction work sustain steady demand for interns across transportation, structural, and environmental specialties. Large employers with a lasting presence here include AECOM, WSP, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which collectively recruit interns across design, site inspection, and project support functions. Entry-level and academic-year openings are consistently active, reflecting the district's role as a hub for federally funded civil works. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Civil Engineering Intern JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 22+ Civil Engineering Intern jobs
- This position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your civil engineering degree and skills, while working in a multi-disciplined team environment with other engineers and/or designers in the design, modification, and analysis of power plants, substations, transmission lines and similar industrial systems.
- As a member of a multi-disciplined engineering and design team, you will work on a wide range of power plant projects and perform civil site development work that includes preparing calculations, designs, and specifications.
- As a member of the Civil Engineering group, you will coordinate with project managers, client personnel, contractors and suppliers, and permitting agency personnel as necessary to ensure a complete and timely design.
- Depending on the scope of work and the complexity of the design, you may guide other civil engineers and civil designers in taking on and completing civil engineering project work.
-
Your responsibilities may include the following:
- Prepare calculations relating to storm water drainage, sanitary sewer systems, pavement thickness, ponds and landfills, and earthwork to support permitting and design.
- Prepare technical specifications to define construction requirements.
- Prepare site layout, grading, and drainage designs, and work with designers to accurately portray designs in 3-D models and design drawings.
- Design storm drainage systems, roads, trackwork, water storage and wastewater disposal ponds, and solid waste landfills.
- Review contractor and material submittal drawings and other vendor documentation for conformity with technical specifications.
- There is the potential for you to travel to client offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
- This position requires a BSCE from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
- PE license or ability to earn a PE license is required.
- Five or more years of working in a project team environment in the design of industrial projects, power plant experience preferred, with specific experience in site grading and mass earthwork, storm water management, sanitary sewage systems, process wastewater systems, and road and railroad track design.
- Experience in technical writing for reports, calculations, and specifications.
- Experience in preparing, submitting, and obtaining site related permits from regulatory agencies.
- Proficiency with one or more of the following civil engineering design tools: Civil 3D, StormCad, PondPack, and AutoTurn.
- Proficiency with MS Office applications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to work in a team environment is essential.
- This position in based in Washington, DC and may require occasional travel.
- You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
- Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
- This position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your civil engineering degree and skills, while working in a multi-disciplined team environment with other engineers and/or designers in the design, modification, and analysis of power plants, substations, transmission lines and similar industrial systems.
- As a member of a multi-disciplined engineering and design team, you will work on a wide range of power plant projects and perform civil site development work that includes preparing calculations, designs, and specifications.
- As a member of the Civil Engineering group, you will coordinate with project managers, client personnel, contractors and suppliers, and permitting agency personnel as necessary to ensure a complete and timely design.
- Depending on the scope of work and the complexity of the design, you may guide other civil engineers and civil designers in taking on and completing civil engineering project work.
-
Your responsibilities may include the following:
- Prepare calculations relating to storm water drainage, sanitary sewer systems, pavement thickness, ponds and landfills, and earthwork to support permitting and design.
- Prepare technical specifications to define construction requirements.
- Prepare site layout, grading, and drainage designs, and work with designers to accurately portray designs in 3-D models and design drawings.
- Design storm drainage systems, roads, trackwork, water storage and wastewater disposal ponds, and solid waste landfills.
- Review contractor and material submittal drawings and other vendor documentation for conformity with technical specifications.
- There is the potential for you to travel to client offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
- This position requires a BSCE from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
- PE license or ability to earn a PE license is required.
- Five or more years of working in a project team environment in the design of industrial projects, power plant experience preferred, with specific experience in site grading and mass earthwork, storm water management, sanitary sewage systems, process wastewater systems, and road and railroad track design.
- Experience in technical writing for reports, calculations, and specifications.
- Experience in preparing, submitting, and obtaining site related permits from regulatory agencies.
- Proficiency with one or more of the following civil engineering design tools: Civil 3D, StormCad, PondPack, and AutoTurn.
- Proficiency with MS Office applications.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- The ability to work in a team environment is essential.
- This position in based in Washington, DC and may require occasional travel.
- You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
- Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
See All 22 Civil Engineering Intern Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Civil Engineering Intern JobsCivil Engineering Intern Jobs by City in District of Columbia
Where District of Columbia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Civil Engineering Intern Job Market in District of Columbia
A snapshot from current District of Columbia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
- Technology & Software
What District of Columbia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in civil engineering intern jobs across District of Columbia.
- Current enrollment in an ABET-accredited civil engineering bachelor's or master's program
- Completed coursework in structural analysis, fluid mechanics, or transportation engineering
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or similar civil design software
- Ability to obtain federal security clearance or pass a government background check
- Familiarity with D.C. Department of Transportation or federal project standards
- Strong written communication skills for technical reports and agency correspondence
Civil Engineering Intern Jobs in District of Columbia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a civil engineering intern in District of Columbia?
Enrollment in an ABET-accredited civil engineering program is the standard starting point, as most D.C. employers require active student status or a recent degree. The District of Columbia does not have its own separate licensing board for interns, but many positions with federal agencies or D.C. government contractors expect candidates to be on a path toward the FE exam and eventual P.E. licensure through the D.C. Board of Professional Engineering. Relevant coursework in transportation, structural systems, or environmental engineering strengthens your application significantly.
Which companies hire civil engineering interns in District of Columbia?
Companies currently hiring civil engineering interns in District of Columbia include United States Department of Justice, Bohler, and Skanska, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. The district's concentration of federal contracts and infrastructure investment means large engineering consultancies and government agencies account for the majority of intern openings here.
Which District of Columbia cities have the most civil engineering intern jobs?
The cities with the most civil engineering intern openings in District of Columbia are Washington. Washington, D.C. dominates the distribution because it is the seat of federal agencies like the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, FHWA, and D.C. Department of Transportation, which generate a sustained pipeline of infrastructure and design internships, while nearby areas in the broader metro benefit from the overflow of federally funded consulting work.
Are there remote civil engineering intern jobs in District of Columbia?
Yes, but they're rare. About 38% of civil engineering intern openings tied to District of Columbia are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the hands-on and site-dependent nature of most civil engineering work. The portions of the role most likely to be performed remotely include design drafting, GIS data work, and report writing, while field inspection, surveying, and agency coordination typically require an in-person presence.
How can I get hired as a civil engineering intern in District of Columbia with little or no experience?
Applying directly to federal agency internship programs is the most realistic entry path, with the Pathways Internship Program being the primary pipeline for students seeking placements at agencies like FHWA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the D.C. Department of Transportation. Engineering consultancies such as AECOM and WSP also run structured summer intern cohorts that welcome first- and second-year students. A strong academic record, AutoCAD or Civil 3D exposure, and any campus project or student chapter involvement in ASCE give candidates a clear edge at the application stage.
Where can I find and apply to civil engineering intern jobs in District of Columbia?
You can find and apply to civil engineering intern jobs in District of Columbia on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the district. Search the available roles, find positions that match your background and availability, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 22 Civil Engineering Intern Jobs in District of Columbia
Find roles in District of Columbia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Civil Engineering Intern Jobs