Structural Engineer Internships
Structural 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. Roles are concentrated in Consulting & Professional Services and Construction & Real Estate, with WSP, Thornton Tomasetti, and Tesla among the employers posting roles now.
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Join Our Team! “Approachable, Practical, Efficient” is our motto and we offer a workplace with mentorship and flexibility in a friendly company environment where team collaboration, positivity, and personal growth is valued.
We offer a competitive and comprehensive benefits package to qualifying employees which may include: health and dental insurance, paid time off, paid holidays, wellness program, 401k match program, profit sharing, and student loan payback.
Duties / Responsibilities:
· Performs routine or entry-level structural and civil engineering.
· Provides entry-level support to the engineering designs/calculations of homes and other structures.
· Completes project designs within allotted budget and time frame.
· Drafts structural components/callouts and details in AutoCAD and other software (Bluebeam etc.)
· Prepares engineering calculations, estimates, and minor designs for residential structures.
· Analyzes quotes and bids to assist the senior engineer.
· Ensures compliance of designs with applicable company and client quality requirements including IRC and IBC code compliance
· Corresponds with co-workers, clients, building officials and contractors to solve structural issues and communicates regarding structural items/requirements.
· Performs other related duties as assigned
Required Skills / Abilities:
· Working knowledge of structural engineering concepts and building component design
· Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
· Excellent verbal and written communication skills in the primary business language, English
· Ability to comprehend and follow directions
· Ability to work well with others and communicate professionally with clients and coworkers
· Basic understanding of AutoCAD, Revit, Civil 3D preferred but not required
· Proficient in Microsoft Office
· Ability to read building plans and site plans
Education and Experience:
· Bachelor’s degree in Civil (or related) Engineering or currently enrolled in a Civil (or related) Engineering bachelor’s degree program (junior or senior preferred)
Physical Requirements:
· Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
· Must be able to travel to various job sites and traverse uneven ground, various weather conditions and unpredictable construction site conditions to obtain necessary data and provide professional services as required
· Must be physically able to climb stairs/ladders, lift 20 pounds, bend, and crawl into awkward spaces
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Flexible schedule
- Gym membership
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Parental leave
- Professional development assistance
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
- Wellness program
Work Location: In person
Structural Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
Tips for Your Structural Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer cohorts
Large engineering consultancies and infrastructure firms open summer intern applications as early as September. If you wait until spring, the structured cohort programs are often full. Set a reminder to search active listings the moment your fall semester begins and submit before October when possible.
Build a portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for structural engineer interns expect limited work history, so your coursework projects carry the weight. Document two or three complete projects, include the load calculations, structural drawings, or model files you produced, the software you used, and the design problem you solved. A linked portfolio or PDF gives recruiters something concrete to review.
Use campus fairs and direct applications together
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Professors and your career center staff frequently know which firms recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to smaller firms running their own cohorts widens the pool you reach beyond what appears on campus.
Practice structural engineering technical screens out loud
Structural engineer intern interviews commonly include a technical screen covering mechanics of materials, structural analysis concepts, and software proficiency, sometimes a design or hand-calculation problem. Practice solving problems out loud, explaining your reasoning as you go, since interviewers weigh how you approach a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured co-op and rotational programs early
Larger firms in civil and structural engineering run formal co-op or rotational programs built to train students new to the field. These programs recruit a full semester or more ahead of the start date and fill fast. Identify the ones affiliated with your university, note their deadlines, and apply in the first wave rather than after the initial cohort closes.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the structural engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start searching, then filter by location and work type so you're not sorting through roles you cannot take. Applying to well-matched openings early is more effective than applying broadly to every listing.
Structural Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a structural engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A design or CAD portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess for structural engineer candidates. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person than for cold applicants.
Can a structural 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 structural engineer interns is performance on real project work, available team headcount at the end of the term, and how early you signal interest. Position for one by treating every assignment seriously, without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for structural engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers, engineering consultancies, infrastructure firms, and major government contractors, 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 and checking regularly pays off.
Are structural engineer internships paid?
Most professional structural 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. Stipend-only or unpaid arrangements exist mainly at nonprofits or very small firms, so read each posting carefully before applying.
What should a structural engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the software tools used, AutoCAD, Revit, SAP2000, ETABS, or similar, and link to or reference a design portfolio or case study where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework, keep everything to one page, and put the strongest technical evidence first.
Are there remote structural engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the structural engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract a larger applicant pool, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a structural engineering co-op, and how is it different from an internship?
A co-op is a structured, multi-semester work arrangement coordinated between your university and an employer, typically alternating full semesters of work with academic terms. Unlike a single-summer internship, a co-op runs for six to eighteen months and often extends across more than one rotation. Programs recruit early and are competitive, so identify co-op partners at your school and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get structural 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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