Construction Intern Jobs in California

Job Summary

Sunny Unite is seeking a detail-oriented and motivated Construction Estimating Intern to support our U.S. project team. Designed for students interested in commercial and retail construction and design-build project delivery, this opportunity offers hands-on experience with quantity takeoffs, subcontractor pricing, bid preparation, cost tracking, and day-to-day project coordination.

What You Will Do

• Assist in reviewing construction drawings, specifications, and project documents; perform and recheck quantity takeoffs and support preliminary material and labor cost estimates.
• Support bidding and procurement by organizing bid packages, requesting and tracking vendor and subcontractor quotations, and comparing pricing and trade scopes. Help identify mall, landlord, and project-specific requirements that affect scope or cost.
• Organize, archive, and maintain project cost ledgers, budget records, estimating databases, and quotation files. Support estimating, design, construction, and procurement teams by collecting and checking purchase orders and supplier quotes.
• Collect, organize, and track compliance documents, including Certificates of Insurance (COIs), W-9 forms, contractor licenses, and lien releases.
• Help compile cost documentation packages for final project accounting, closeout, and handover.
• Assist with change-order cost calculations and organize cost information related to submittals and requests for information (RFIs).
• Contact contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers by phone and email to verify construction quotations and itemized costs, clarify document status, and follow up on open items.
• Maintain and update subcontractor and supplier contact information and support ongoing communication and working relationships.
• Provide timely progress updates to the project accounting manager, project coordination manager, and project team; flag data discrepancies and potential cost risks and help follow up on resolution.
• Under the guidance of project and cost managers, participate in live-project budgeting, pricing inquiries, cost tracking, and cost reviews.

What We Are Looking For

• Currently enrolled in a college or university; candidates pursuing a bachelor's degree in Construction Estimating, Architecture, Construction Management, Accounting, Engineering, or a related field are preferred.
• Strong interest in learning estimating, bidding, quantity takeoffs, and cost control, with an interest in building a long-term career in design-build. Prior professional estimating experience is not required.
• Ability to independently complete assigned core internship tasks accurately and to a high standard after appropriate instruction, while seeking guidance when needed.
• Ability to organize estimating support tasks and cost records across multiple projects and trades; prioritize effectively, be punctual, and meet deadlines for data entry, document compilation, and reporting.
• Strong written English, including accurate grammar and spelling, and the ability to prepare clear, well-organized quotations, spreadsheets, and project documents.
• Good verbal communication, interpersonal, and coordination skills, including professional phone etiquette and effective collaboration with subcontractors, project teams, and people from diverse backgrounds.
• An organized, dependable, collaborative approach; attention to detail, logical thinking, accountability, and comfort working with numbers. Working knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
• Exposure to Bluebeam, Procore, or other construction estimating or project management software is a plus, not a requirement.

What You Will Learn

How construction estimates are developed from drawings and trade scopes; how subcontractor bids are collected and evaluated; and how budget documentation connects to design-build project execution, cost control, and project closeout. You will learn through real project work with guidance from project managers and the estimating team.

Equal Opportunity & Accessibility

Sunny Unite is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and consider qualified candidates without regard to protected characteristics under applicable law. Reasonable accommodations are available as needed for qualified applicants and employees with disabilities.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time

Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Flexible schedule
• Paid time off

Language:

• English (Required)
• Cantonese (Preferred)
• Mandarin (Required)

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Walnut, CA 91789