Civil Engineering Intern

ABOUT THE ROLE:

The City of Cambridge Department of Public Works (DPW) is seeking a highly motivated Civil Engineering Intern to work alongside municipal engineers on complex infrastructure projects in one of the most dynamic urban environments in the country.

This internship offers civil engineering students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the planning, construction, and inspection of public infrastructure projects that directly impact residents, businesses, and visitors in Cambridge.

Interns will work closely with DPW engineers and inspectors responsible for managing projects such as complete street reconstructions, ADA accessibility upgrades, stormwater infrastructure improvements, and major utility coordination projects.

Students interested in construction management, municipal engineering, or public infrastructure systems will gain valuable real-world experience supporting the delivery of public works projects in a dense urban environment.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

As a Civil Engineering Field Intern, you will contribute to active projects and gain exposure to the full lifecycle of municipal infrastructure improvements. Responsibilities may include:

• Assisting engineers and inspectors with construction oversight of roadway, sidewalk, drainage, and utility projects
• Conducting field inspections and documenting contractor work on active construction sites
• Comparing field conditions with engineering plans and specifications
• Assisting with construction documentation, field reports, and progress tracking
• Supporting data collection, measurements, and site observations
• Observing coordination between contractors, consultants, utilities, and City staff
• Participating in engineering discussions related to design intent, accessibility requirements, and construction methods

LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES:

Interns gain exposure to:

• Urban roadway reconstruction and Complete Streets design
• ADA accessibility improvements and pedestrian infrastructure
• Stormwater management and drainage systems
• Construction inspection and quality control
• Utility coordination in dense urban environments
• Municipal project management and public-sector engineering

This position offers a unique opportunity to see how engineering decisions are implemented in real projects serving a highly active city.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program in Civil Engineering or a closely related field
• Demonstrate strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
• Be comfortable working outdoors on construction sites and walking project areas
• Be interested in transportation, infrastructure, or municipal engineering

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Have completed at least two years of undergraduate coursework prior to the internship
• Coursework in transportation engineering, surveying, construction management, or water resources
• Familiarity with engineering plans, profiles, and technical drawings
• Experience with AutoCAD, GIS, or field data collection
• Interest in public infrastructure and urban systems

SCHEDULE:

Seasonal internship (Summer, approximately 10–12 weeks)
Up to 40 hours per week, Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

This role combines field and office experience. Interns will spend significant time visiting construction sites throughout the City and working directly with engineering staff responsible for project delivery.

COMPENSATION:

This is a paid internship, with compensation determined in accordance with the City of Cambridge internship pay scale.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:

Please upload the following documents to complete your application.

• Resume
• Cover letter