Structural Design Engineer Internships
Structural 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. Construction & Real Estate and Consulting & Professional Services lead in internship openings, with Benesch, LPA, and Meta among the employers posting roles now.
Find InternshipsOverview
Showing 4 of 28+ Structural Design Engineer Internships
Ardmore Roderick is a full-service infrastructure solutions firm that specializes in Utilities, Transportation, Aviation, Rail and Transit, Building and Facilities Projects. We are headquartered in Chicago, IL with offices in Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.
Our Vision
Reimagining infrastructure to improve lives and communities
Our Mission
Transforming communities by empowering the best minds to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions
Our Values
We Care: especially about excellence, impact, innovation, inclusion and safety
Job Overview
We are seeking a Summer 2026 Structural Design Intern to join our team at Ardmore Roderick. As a Structural Design Intern, you join a team of infrastructure solutions experts working to solve our client’s ever-evolving project needs. This opportunity will be located in our Chicago, IL and could have potential to be hybrid depending on the specific client, project and team needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Ardmore Roderick civil engineering structures team on various tasks for assigned projects
- Learn basic principles of civil engineering in structural design projects for our clients
- Assist with project research and preliminary design calculations and analysis
- Support preparation of final design plans, special provisions and cost estimates
- Assist in collecting and maintaining project documentation
- Currently pursuing a four-year degree in civil engineering from an accredited university
- Interest in transportation based structural design projects, i.e. bridges, retaining walls and other civil based design work
- Familiarity with design programs such as MicroStation and AutoCAD
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Have a team player mindset with the ability to communicate proficiently in written and verbal forms
- Have good to great organizational skills
- Prior internship experience with civil engineering projects
- Familiarity with MathCAD, STAAD or Shoring Suite
- 401K (Must be 21 or older to participate)
- Part-Time PTO
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Ardmore Roderick is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law. Ardmore Roderick participates in E-Verify.
We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. Please reach out to us if you require reasonable accommodation in responding to a job announcement, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process.
Hourly Pay: $25, Ardmore Roderick is providing the compensation range that the company believes it might pay and/or offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location.
BI4zCxagck
Ardmore Roderick is a full-service infrastructure solutions firm that specializes in Utilities, Transportation, Aviation, Rail and Transit, Building and Facilities Projects. We are headquartered in Chicago, IL with offices in Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas.
Our Vision
Reimagining infrastructure to improve lives and communities
Our Mission
Transforming communities by empowering the best minds to deliver innovative infrastructure solutions
Our Values
We Care: especially about excellence, impact, innovation, inclusion and safety
Job Overview
We are seeking a Summer 2026 Structural Design Intern to join our team at Ardmore Roderick. As a Structural Design Intern, you join a team of infrastructure solutions experts working to solve our client’s ever-evolving project needs. This opportunity will be located in our Chicago, IL and could have potential to be hybrid depending on the specific client, project and team needs.
Key Responsibilities
- Support the Ardmore Roderick civil engineering structures team on various tasks for assigned projects
- Learn basic principles of civil engineering in structural design projects for our clients
- Assist with project research and preliminary design calculations and analysis
- Support preparation of final design plans, special provisions and cost estimates
- Assist in collecting and maintaining project documentation
- Currently pursuing a four-year degree in civil engineering from an accredited university
- Interest in transportation based structural design projects, i.e. bridges, retaining walls and other civil based design work
- Familiarity with design programs such as MicroStation and AutoCAD
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Have a team player mindset with the ability to communicate proficiently in written and verbal forms
- Have good to great organizational skills
- Prior internship experience with civil engineering projects
- Familiarity with MathCAD, STAAD or Shoring Suite
- 401K (Must be 21 or older to participate)
- Part-Time PTO
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Ardmore Roderick is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by local, state, or federal law. Ardmore Roderick participates in E-Verify.
We are committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities. Please reach out to us if you require reasonable accommodation in responding to a job announcement, interviewing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process.
Hourly Pay: $25, Ardmore Roderick is providing the compensation range that the company believes it might pay and/or offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location.
BI4zCxagck
Structural Design Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Construction & Real Estate
- Consulting & Professional Services
Tips for Your Structural Design Engineer Internship Search
Apply months before the internship starts
Large engineering firms and infrastructure companies recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller consultancies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check listings throughout the year and apply as soon as a role fits your timeline.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
Structural design engineer hiring teams expect limited work history at the intern level, so your portfolio does the work your resume can't. Document two or three projects with the software you used, such as AutoCAD, Revit, SAP2000, or ETABS, and show the structural problem each one solved. A linked portfolio or PDF gives recruiters something concrete to evaluate.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which firms recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens your reach and captures openings that never appear at university events.
Practice your technical screen out loud before you submit
Structural design engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering structural analysis concepts, material behavior, load calculations, or design software proficiency. Practice solving problems aloud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you approach a problem as much as the final answer.
Target structured rotational and cohort programs early
Larger engineering consultancies and construction firms run structured intern cohorts designed to train people new to the field, rotating participants across structural, geotechnical, and project management teams. These programs recruit in the fall and fill fast, so identify the ones that fit your interests and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 100% of the structural design engineer internships listed here. Decide whether you can relocate or commute before you start sorting through openings, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so every listing you review is one you can actually accept.
Structural Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a structural design engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A design or CAD portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess your structural thinking. Combine direct applications to companies running smaller cohorts with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a structural 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 structural design engineer interns is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest before the return-offer window closes. Position for one by contributing visibly, but don't count on it when evaluating the opportunity.
When should I apply for structural design engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large engineering employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with on-campus recruiting and application portals opening in September and October. Smaller firms, regional consultancies, and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role matches your availability gives you the best shot.
Are structural design engineer internships paid?
Most professional structural design engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, with larger engineering consultancies and infrastructure firms generally paying more than smaller regional practices. Listings show pay where the employer discloses it, so you can compare before applying.
What should a structural design engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools you used, the structural problem you solved, and where to see the work, such as a CAD or design portfolio, published analysis, or case study. Add relevant coursework in structural analysis, materials, and mechanics. Keep everything to one page.
Are there remote structural design engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the structural 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 and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get structural 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 28 Structural Design Engineer Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Internships