Project Design Engineer Internships
Project design 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 {{top_industries_phrase}}, with TikTok, Tippmann, and State of Missouri among the employers posting roles now.
Find Project Design Engineer InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 5+ Project Design Engineer Internships
Looking for more project design engineer internships jobs?
Explore related role searches to find more openings that fit.
See related jobs- East Project Office – 100 Ungerboeck Park, O’Fallon, MO (Warrenton to Wentzville - NE and SL District)
Why you’ll love this position:
The design build construction intern inspects routine construction items for conformance to plans, specifications, special provisions, and terms of the contract. Responsibilities are performed under moderate supervision.
Responsibilities - What you’ll doWhat you’ll do:
- Coordinate and perform construction inspections verifying that contractors' activities are in compliance with contracts, specifications, and engineering principles.
- Perform duties of inspector in charge of routine construction items, such as asphaltic or portland cement concrete plants, asphaltic or concrete paving, including grading and base, small bridges, concrete box and pipe culverts; inspects general or special items, such as utility adjustments, signing, traffic signals and lighting.
- Perform measurements, computations, or other work in preparing final plans, change orders, contractor payment estimates, and engineering costs.
- Maintain required construction documentation, records and files; prepare progress and other reports, keep supervisor fully informed as to activities or unusual conditions on the job.
- Provide field checks for contractor surveying operations; serve as party chief on routine layout and staking; serve as instrument operator on staking of large bridges, other critical structures, or complex interchanges.
- Perform lead worker responsibilities, which may include providing general instruction, assigning and reviewing work, coaching and training, providing guidance and instruction in the proper and most efficient methods of accomplishing tasks, and providing input to the direct supervisor on staffing decisions and performance management.
- Perform other responsibilities as required or assigned.
Special Working Conditions:
- Some night work may be required.
All you need for success:
Minimum Qualifications
- Enrolled in a relevant ABET-accredited bachelor’s or post-bachelor’s degree program full-time (12+ credit hours).
- 30 credit hours completed/accepted toward current degree program. High school or other postsecondary program credits must be shown to be accepted by the current program through a degree transcript to apply.
- Possess and maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0 out of 4.0, or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Has continuous desire to learn
- Embraces change
- Is willing to be empowered and accept responsibility
- Has a positive attitude
- Is willing to go the extra mile
- Is willing to accept challenges from others and from self
- Is safety conscious
More reasons to love this position:
At MoDOT you will play a key role in maintaining the seventh largest highway system in the United States. We value team players who are open-minded and work well with others to accomplish goals and fulfill our mission of safety, service, and stability. We see the growth of our team members as an investment, both in MoDOT's future and yours. If you're looking for diverse opportunities, challenging work, and a flexible environment, we want to talk to you about joining our winning team. MoDOT operates on shared values and your success in our organization depends upon modeling these values. CLICK HERE to view our mission, values, and tangible results. If you embrace these values, we welcome your application.
Contact Details - If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:If you have questions about this position, please contact:
cohrmocareers@modot.mo.gov
The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce.- East Project Office – 100 Ungerboeck Park, O’Fallon, MO (Warrenton to Wentzville - NE and SL District)
Why you’ll love this position:
The design build construction intern inspects routine construction items for conformance to plans, specifications, special provisions, and terms of the contract. Responsibilities are performed under moderate supervision.
Responsibilities - What you’ll doWhat you’ll do:
- Coordinate and perform construction inspections verifying that contractors' activities are in compliance with contracts, specifications, and engineering principles.
- Perform duties of inspector in charge of routine construction items, such as asphaltic or portland cement concrete plants, asphaltic or concrete paving, including grading and base, small bridges, concrete box and pipe culverts; inspects general or special items, such as utility adjustments, signing, traffic signals and lighting.
- Perform measurements, computations, or other work in preparing final plans, change orders, contractor payment estimates, and engineering costs.
- Maintain required construction documentation, records and files; prepare progress and other reports, keep supervisor fully informed as to activities or unusual conditions on the job.
- Provide field checks for contractor surveying operations; serve as party chief on routine layout and staking; serve as instrument operator on staking of large bridges, other critical structures, or complex interchanges.
- Perform lead worker responsibilities, which may include providing general instruction, assigning and reviewing work, coaching and training, providing guidance and instruction in the proper and most efficient methods of accomplishing tasks, and providing input to the direct supervisor on staffing decisions and performance management.
- Perform other responsibilities as required or assigned.
Special Working Conditions:
- Some night work may be required.
All you need for success:
Minimum Qualifications
- Enrolled in a relevant ABET-accredited bachelor’s or post-bachelor’s degree program full-time (12+ credit hours).
- 30 credit hours completed/accepted toward current degree program. High school or other postsecondary program credits must be shown to be accepted by the current program through a degree transcript to apply.
- Possess and maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.0 out of 4.0, or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Has continuous desire to learn
- Embraces change
- Is willing to be empowered and accept responsibility
- Has a positive attitude
- Is willing to go the extra mile
- Is willing to accept challenges from others and from self
- Is safety conscious
More reasons to love this position:
At MoDOT you will play a key role in maintaining the seventh largest highway system in the United States. We value team players who are open-minded and work well with others to accomplish goals and fulfill our mission of safety, service, and stability. We see the growth of our team members as an investment, both in MoDOT's future and yours. If you're looking for diverse opportunities, challenging work, and a flexible environment, we want to talk to you about joining our winning team. MoDOT operates on shared values and your success in our organization depends upon modeling these values. CLICK HERE to view our mission, values, and tangible results. If you embrace these values, we welcome your application.
Contact Details - If you have questions or require any accommodations to participate in the application or interview process please contact:If you have questions about this position, please contact:
cohrmocareers@modot.mo.gov
The State of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to developing and maintaining a talented workforce.Project Design Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Project Design Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer internships
Large engineering employers open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall and close cohorts months before the start date. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates. Check listings in both windows so you don't miss structured programs by waiting until spring.
Build a design portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for project design engineer interns expect limited work history and look instead for evidence you can produce engineering work. Document two or three complete projects with the CAD files, design specs, or technical reports attached. A linked portfolio gives recruiters something to evaluate when your resume is light on experience.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and reduces dependence on any single channel.
Practice your technical screen out loud
Project design engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering engineering fundamentals, design problems, or CAD-based scenarios. Practice solving problems out loud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you approach a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured rotational and cohort programs early
Many large engineering employers run rotational or cohort intern programs built to train people new to the field. These programs recruit earlier than standard intern roles and fill fast. Identify the ones that fit your background, watch their recruiting calendars, and apply in the first wave rather than waiting for a second round.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the project design engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type at the outset means you spend your time on roles you can actually take, not ones you'll rule out at the offer stage.
Project Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a project design engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For project design engineer candidates, a CAD or design portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a project design 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 for project design engineer interns is performance on real project deliverables, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest. Position yourself by doing the work well without counting on the offer until it arrives.
When should I apply for project design engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large engineering employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you catch both recruiting windows rather than just one.
Are project design engineer internships paid?
Most professional project design engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon at established engineering employers but do appear occasionally at nonprofits or very small firms, so read each listing carefully.
What should a project design engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Highlight two or three complete, documented projects, naming the tools and software used and linking to a CAD portfolio, design case study, or GitHub repository where recruiters can see the work. Add relevant coursework in engineering design, mechanics, or systems. Keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote project design engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the project design engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early. Filter by work type at the start of your search so you see only the roles that match what you can commit to.
Can international students get project 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.
See All 5 Project Design Engineer Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Design Engineer Internships