12 Civil Engineering Internships for College Students
Participating in an engineering internship while in college can be a great way to bridge the gap between your coursework and its practical applications. If you're studying civil engineering, or are curious about the subject, internships can help you hone your technical abilities through experiences, while also providing insight into the industry, from managing construction sites and surveying land to designing infrastructure and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
Working alongside experienced engineers, you’ll develop project management and problem-solving skills, while learning about innovative technologies, regulatory standards, and sustainable practices in the field of civil engineering. You will also get familiar with tools like AutoCAD, observe project cycles, and contribute to tasks under licensed engineers. Civil engineering internships can also help expand your professional network, connecting you with mentors and peers across the industry. Whether you're interested in structural design, transportation systems, environmental engineering, or geotechnical work, these opportunities can help you figure out your path ahead while boosting your employability.
In this blog, we’ve compiled a selection of the top 12 civil engineering internships that offer meaningful, career-building experiences. If you’re looking for ways to turn your classroom learning into impact and set yourself apart in a competitive field, these programs are a strong place to start.
1. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies based on program type
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary with the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
The Ladder University Internship Program offers an eight-week, flexible option for college students (and high school students) to explore fields like civil engineering with startups, nonprofits, and organizations across the world. You can choose the field you want to work in – with companies across industries like AI/ML, tech, engineering, sustainability, health tech, and so on. As a Ladder intern, you will work on a project with actual significance to the organization, collaborating with teams to tackle engineering challenges, ranging from infrastructure development and sustainability to site planning and construction management. During the program, you will be paired with a mentor and a Ladder coach, receiving mentorship from these experts, helping you build practical, resume-ready skills and a deeper understanding of industry standards and workflows. Each week, you’ll engage in professional skill development sessions, gaining career insights and valuable feedback.
2. Internships at Rundell Ernstberger Associates (REA)
Location: Indianapolis, Indiana | Louisville, Kentucky
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will receive a stipend (+ paid time off + holidays)
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis (varies with the internship role and which session you’re applying for)
Dates: 3-month, 6-month, and year-long internship options are offered in the spring, summer, and fall
Eligibility: Current enrollment in an accredited bachelor’s or master’s degree program in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field is a typical requirement. Further eligibility criteria can vary, check here!
This is a paid opportunity for students interested in civil and environmental engineering, and more specifically, in planning, urban design, and landscape architecture. During your internship, you’ll work as part of an interdisciplinary team on a wide range of projects, from commercial and institutional planning to municipal design, gaining experience in everything from early community engagement and conceptual design to detailed construction documentation and site inspection. You’ll collaborate with staff engineers, landscape architects, and planners, contributing to master planning, site design, cost estimating, and client presentations. Each intern is paired with a mentor, ensuring direct professional guidance as you develop technical and creative skills. The program includes a capstone project, where you’ll tackle a research question or design challenge and present your findings to the entire studio. Read about past interns’ experiences here!
3. Hitachi Summer Mechanical/Civil Engineering Internship
Location: Hitachi Energy locations in Jefferson City, Missouri
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will be paid, but the amount is not specified
Application Deadline: This information is not available at the moment
Dates: 12 weeks starting in May
Eligibility: Bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD students in mechanical or civil engineering with U.S. work authorization
This 12-week, full-time internship is designed for college students interested in learning how to combine their classroom learning with industry experience. As an intern, you will engage in engineering projects, enhancing your technical and problem-solving skills while working closely with professionals. Throughout the summer, you’ll explore engineering design, system analysis, and day-to-day project work, while also getting exposure to the latest technologies and methods shaping the industry. The program emphasizes learning by doing, so you can expect to contribute to ongoing projects and learn how to apply what you know to practical challenges in civil engineering settings. The program also includes mentorship, networking opportunities, and regular skill-building sessions that focus on enhancing both your technical know-how and communication abilities–—key assets for careers in engineering.
4. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote | Hybrid | In-person (George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia)
Cost/Stipend: None
Application Deadline: February 2
Dates: June 18 - August 8
Eligibility: Eligible applicants must not have graduated from university by the start of the program. Students must be over 15 and 16 years of age by the start of the program for the remote internships and in-person/hybrid wet-lab internships, respectively
ASSIP at George Mason University offers college students the opportunity to engage in full-time STEM research alongside faculty mentors during an intensive eight-week summer session. Students are required to look through the faculty mentors and select those that are in their fields of interest. If you’re interested in civil engineering or related fields, you can find mentors and project opportunities within the Civil, Environmental, and Infrastructure Engineering, allowing you to focus your research on topics relevant to you. During the program, you will engage in research, gaining practical experience with advanced equipment and technologies. The internship emphasizes both scientific inquiry and essential professional skills such as scientific writing, critical analysis, and effective communication. In addition to research, you will participate in career discussions with professionals in the field, learn about various STEM career pathways, and, in some cases, have the chance to contribute to research publications or conference presentations.
5. Project Management Intern at Northwest Cascade Inc.
Location: Northwest Cascade, Puyallup, Washington
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will be paid $20-25/hour
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted till the position is filled
Dates: This information is not available at the moment. Northwest Cascade is looking for an intern to start immediately
Eligibility: Student in Construction Management or Civil Engineering
Note: While applications for this internship may close once the position is filled, you can check this page for future openings!
Northwest Cascade, a well-established name in civil construction, offers dynamic internships designed for students looking to gain experience in different phases of the construction process. The Project Management Intern role will place you alongside experienced project managers as you help orchestrate public and private projects across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. During the internship, you’ll be exposed to the full project lifecycle, from planning and estimating to scheduling, budgeting, and field coordination. You’ll participate in tasks like project take-offs, submittals, subcontractor and supplier coordination, resource planning, and compliance checks, working directly with clients, engineers, and field staff. This role gives you an insight into project management best practices, contract evaluation, and safety standards in the industry.
6. Nexus Engineering Group Civil/Structural Engineer Internship
Location: Nexus Engineering Group, Maumee, Ohio. Nexus also offers internships at its other locations in Ohio, Illinois and Michigan throughout the year
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will receive competitive compensation
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted till the position is filled
Dates: Nexus offers part-time and full-time internships in the summer, spring, and fall. Students can state their preference when applying
Eligibility: Students currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science Degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering from a four-year accredited college or university. Check further eligibility criteria here.
Nexus offers a Civil/Structural Engineer Internship program designed for students eager to explore engineering consulting. As an intern, you’ll collaborate closely with experienced civil and structural engineers, preparing drawings, calculations, and technical documents for a diverse range of client projects. You’ll also work alongside professionals from other disciplines, contributing to comprehensive, multidisciplinary design solutions. Your responsibilities could include conducting drawing research and designing 2-D and 3-D graphics using AutoCAD and Revit and updating graphics standards and developing department templates. You’ll review industry codes, help create project design specifications, and support senior engineers on active assignments, providing you with an inside look at project workflows and the consulting business environment. The program is structured to broaden your technical skill set, including exposure to advanced industry tools like STAADPRO, and give you experience with the codes and standards shaping the structural engineering field.
7. Civil Engineering Intern and Shield Engineering
Location: Shield Engineering Group, Fort Worth, Texas
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will receive a competitive salary
Application Deadline: Applications will be accepted till the position is filled
Dates: Not specified; candidates are expected to start at the earliest
Eligibility: Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited college or university
Note: While applications for this internship may close once the position is filled, you can check this page for future openings!
Shield Engineering offers an opportunity for students to work alongside engineering professionals on a range of municipal infrastructure and land development projects. As a Civil Engineering Intern, your day-to-day tasks will cover technical and administrative responsibilities, providing you with experience both in the field and in the office. You’ll use AutoCAD Civil 3D software to develop site plans, engineering drawings, and construction documents, supporting the delivery of public and private projects. Your role will include initial site research, cost estimation, and preparing permit applications. You will also take part in field observations, gaining insight into the installation and operation of water, sewer, and stormwater systems. Through this internship, you will support project delivery from early planning stages through construction, building practical skills and a clear understanding of the work involved in civil engineering.
8. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Various NASA centers in the country. There are also options for remote participation, depending on the project
Cost/Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend dependent on internship, academic level, and session length
Application Deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Dates: Fall: 16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December | Spring: 16-week program, from mid-January to early May | Summer: 10-week program, from late May or early June to August
Eligibility: Must be a full-time college student; Must be a U.S. citizen
NASA offers paid internships that give college and high school students the chance to work at their sites across the country, collaborating with experienced mentors on projects. You will explore concepts in engineering, space science, aeronautics, and technology, allowing you to dive into subjects such as structural design, environmental systems, data analysis, and tech development. You may assist with designing experiments, conducting research, or reviewing technical plans that support national aerospace and infrastructure projects. Working with a NASA mentor, you will gain experience using professional tools, learning from leading scientists and engineers, and developing skills that are relevant to civil engineering, from problem-solving and research to collaboration and project delivery. This experience offers a practical view into subjects like materials science, environmental engineering, robotics, and infrastructure planning. By participating in this internship, you will get to see how civil engineering principles are applied to innovative projects, ranging from habitat design for astronauts to sustainable systems for future space missions.
9. Caltech Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, California
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend of $7,950
Application Deadline: February 22
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering or mathematics; Open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents
The Caltech SURF program offers college students an opportunity to dive into research under the guidance of leading faculty and scientists. Through this program, you will experience the full research process, from collaborating with a mentor to define a project, to writing and submitting a research proposal, conducting the research, and presenting your findings in both a technical paper and an oral presentation. This structure mirrors professional research funding, helping you develop practical skills in research planning and communication.If you’re interested in civil engineering or related fields, you can identify and contact Caltech faculty working in these areas. You can propose research topics in structural design, sustainable infrastructure, environmental systems, water resources, materials science, and so on. The program is flexible, allowing you to explore interdisciplinary work where civil engineering overlaps with environmental science, data analysis, or robotics, based on your interests and mentor selection.
Note: To participate, you must identify and contact a mentor beforehand, working to develop a research idea that aligns with your interests and has potential for publication. Fellows attend weekly seminars led by Caltech faculty and JPL researchers, participate in workshops on research careers and science communication, and join social and professional events that foster a supportive community.
10. Walter P Moore Internships
Location: Internships are offered at various locations across the world
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Most internships offer a stipend
Application Deadline: Varies with the internship role, applications are typically accepted till the position is filled
Dates: Varies with the internship role
Eligibility: For Civil Engineering Internships, students with a Bachelor’s in Civil Engineering or at least 40 college hours towards a BS in Civil Engineering, with 24 hours in engineering, physics, or math, can apply
Walter P Moore offers summer, co-op, and long-term internships across multiple locations, with positions regularly posted on their careers page. Their civil and structural engineering internships are designed for qualified students from top engineering schools, particularly those who are close to completing their bachelor’s degree or already pursuing graduate studies. As a civil engineering intern, you will collaborate with project teams on the design of various civil, land, and site development projects, including both large and small commercial and institutional developments. The role requires a solid technical foundation and strong communication skills. Familiarity with software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or Microstation is beneficial. As a structural engineering intern, you will participate in teams working on architectural projects spanning commercial, sports, healthcare, and public assembly buildings. These internships emphasize practical experience and technical challenges relevant to structural design. Interns also have the chance to engage in the company’s in-house staff development program, which supports their professional growth.
11. Origin Design Internships
Location: Dubuque or Davenport, Iowa (varies with the internship role). Remote options are also offered
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students will be paid
Application Deadline: Most roles’ applications close in November
Dates: Summer
Eligibility: For Civil Engineering Internships, students currently enrolled in an ABET-accredited Civil or Environmental Engineering program can apply
Origin Design offers a Civil Engineering Internship for college students looking to gain experience in municipal and water resources projects. As an intern, you will join a team dedicated to delivering engineering solutions that support the development and sustainability of communities. Your work will involve the application of engineering techniques and the use of Autodesk Civil 3D software to prepare detailed drawings, specifications, studies, and reports. You will assist in field data gathering, regulatory agency research, permit applications, and cost estimation, as well as participate in construction observation and documentation. The role provides exposure to a variety of civil engineering topics, including the design of urban and rural roadway systems, public utilities for water and wastewater, and stormwater management systems.
Note: Origin Design also offers internships in structural engineering, architectural engineering, and land surveying, which you can consider.
12. Research Programs for Undergraduates at University of Michigan
Location: Ann Arbor, Michigan
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend of $5,000-6,000 (varies with the program)
Application Deadline: January 8
Dates: 7-12 weeks in the summer (varies with the program)
Eligibility: Some programs are specifically open to U-M undergraduate students, while some are open to undergraduates from other universities as well. Please check the eligibility criteria of the program you’re applying to carefully
The University of Michigan offers two summer research programs for college students interested in engineering and related disciplines. The SURE (Summer Undergraduate Research in Engineering) program is open to U-M undergraduates who have completed at least one year of study. Over 10–12 weeks, you can conduct full-time research in civil engineering subjects such as structural analysis, transportation, environmental systems, or water resources, working closely with a faculty advisor in a College of Engineering lab. The SROP (Summer Research Opportunity Program) program is for non-U-M undergraduates from underrepresented backgrounds, offering seven to eight weeks of full-time research alongside leading faculty. Civil engineering students can focus on topics like infrastructure design, urban systems, or sustainability, depending on mentor availability. SROP features a $5,000 stipend, housing, networking opportunities, graduate application support, GRE prep, and a chance to present your work at a research symposium.