2026 Summer Internship :: Design + Planning

evolve LLC; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); On-site; USD 37,195 - 41,328; Full time

Job summary

A design and planning firm is seeking a summer intern for 2026 in Pittsburgh. The position offers hands-on experience in design and research across architecture, landscape, and urban planning projects. The ideal candidate will help create 3D models and support project documentation, while working within a collaborative team environment. This internship provides a valuable opportunity for motivated students pursuing degrees in related fields. The position is full-time, hourly, and lasts 3-4 months, starting May 2026.

Qualifications

• Education: Currently pursuing a relevant degree.
• Knowledge of design and visualization practices.
• Ability to work collaboratively in teams.

Responsibilities

• Support design and planning projects across multiple scales.
• Create 3D models and renderings for various projects.
• Assist in documentation and project management tasks.

Skills

Design skills

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Organizational skills

Education

Pursuing a degree in Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, or Urban Planning

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

Sketchup

Rhino

ESRI

Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)

Job description

2026 Summer Internship :: Design + Planning

Official Title: 2026 Summer Internship :: Design + Planning
Employment Type: Full Time, HourlyDuration: 3-4 months
Salary: $27-$30 p/h (Commensurate with Experience)
Start Date: May 2026
Location: Pittsburgh Office

About evolveEA

evolve environment::architecture (evolveEA) is a mission-driven design, planning, and sustainability firm working at the intersection of infrastructure, community, and environment. As a carbon-neutral, woman-owned (WBE) practice and certified B Corp and Just organization, we integrate equity, resilience, and systems thinking into projects ranging from urban design and mobility planning to infrastructure, policy, and implementation.

We are a small, collaborative practice. Our staff work across disciplines, scales, and phases, and we value team members who are adaptable, curious, and comfortable wearing multiple hats as project needs evolve. For more information about our firm, please visit www.evolveEA.com.

Position Overview

evolveEA is seeking a summer intern to provide design and research support on architecture, landscape, urban design and community planning projects. This role is well suited for current students who are motivated problem solvers with strong visualization skills. This position requires someone who can:

• Think spatially and visually
• Follow project tasks, schedules, and coordination
• Shift between design-leaning and planning-leaning work as workload demands

Role within the ALA and PLAN Studios

evolveEA is seeking a summer intern who can join our multidisciplinary team to support our Architecture and Landscape Architecture Studio (ALA) and Planning Studio (PLAN). We are looking for a motivated problem solver with strong organizational skills, who will work on projects at the building scale up to the community, and county scales. This 3-4 month position is an opportunity to participate in projects that reshape the places where we live, work, and play to be socially equitable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable.

Our nationally recognized studios have made huge contributions in how the profession approaches the design and planning of resilient communities at multiple scales. We create compelling and thought provoking landscapes, buildings, experiences, and objects to reexamine our relationship to our environment. We enable communities to create more livable places, systems and economies by addressing the ecological, social and economic issues. Our work includes commercial & residential architecture, urban design & placemaking, ecodistrict planning and living city planning, human factors concept & design, and community/user engagement.

Your time may be split between both studios, with the exact percentage to be determined based on project needs and candidate skillset. As an intern you will support the project team by completing discrete tasks under the guidance of a Senior Project Architect or Senior Project Manager. Interns will typically focus on 1 or 2 major projects and may be called into a variety of efforts depending on project phase and firm workload over the summer. The applicant should be able to support or lead the following tasks with minimal assistance or supervision, as listed below:

Support the design of architectural, landscape, and/or urban design projects, including participation in collaborative design efforts and workshops

• Lead 3D model creation and renderings for projects
• Support analysis and/or computational analysis for urban design and planning projects
• Support preparation and management of project documentation
• Support project meetings and public meetings, including the creation of presentation materials and note taking
• Support final document layout for reports and project materials
• Additional tasks to support project delivery

Required Qualifications

This role requires a blend of design skills, analytical thinking, and project coordination. Successful candidates will bring most of the following experience and capabilities.

• Education: Pursuing a degree in one of the following fields: Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Design, and/or Urban Planning
• Experience with the following programs:
  • AutoCAD
  • Revit
  • Sketchup
  • Rhino
  • ESRI
  • Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• A desire to promote and encourage sustainability
• Ability to collaborate in a flexible work environment

Desired Qualifications

• Experience with 3D modeling and visualization workflows (e.g., Rhino, SketchUp, Grasshopper, or similar)
• Familiarity with land use, small commercial buildings, public realm, street design, or open space projects, particularly in urban or community-centered contexts
• Strong graphic design sensibilities
• Strong research, analysis, and reporting abilities
• Team-oriented professional
• Experience with sustainability frameworks such as LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge, Passive House, etc.

What Success Looks Like

A successful 2026 Designer/Analyst Intern will have made a meaningful contribution to evolveEA’s mission and projects over their 3-4 month tenure. Success will be demonstrated by:

• Delivering Quality Project Support: Consistently completing assigned design and research tasks with minimal supervision, resulting in high-quality 3D models, compelling renderings, accurate project documentation, and well-organized presentation materials.
• Technical Proficiency and Application: Effectively utilizing the required software (AutoCAD, Revit, Sketchup, Rhino, ESRI, and Adobe Suite) to support the design and planning studios, particularly in leading 3D visualization efforts and supporting analysis for urban design projects.
• Collaborative Impact: Seamlessly shifting between design-leaning and planning-leaning work as project demands change, demonstrating adaptability, strong organizational skills, and a collaborative spirit within the multidisciplinary team.
• Advancing Sustainability: Actively integrating evolveEA’s commitment to sustainability into their work, showing a desire to learn about or apply frameworks like LEED, WELL, Living Building Challenge, and Passive House to project challenges.
• Professional Growth: Leaving the internship with a deeper understanding of integrated design, planning, and sustainability practices, having participated effectively in project and public meetings, and having contributed positively to the firm’s office culture.

How to Apply

If you are interested in this opportunity please complete our employment application below .
A work sample or portfolio submission is required for this position.

Our Process:

• Application submissions will be accepted through March 15, 2026
• Applicants of interest will be notified by email of an opportunity to proceed to an interview, or potentially be asked to clarify or confirm their current status or qualifications before being invited to interview
• First Interview
• Second Interview if requested
• Final response

The internship has an anticipated start date of May 19, 2026. The position will be filled once a suitable candidate is selected. An interview will be required. evolveEA reserves the right to remove or modify this position in order to reflect our strategic needs and personnel strengths.

Intern positions are not benefits eligible. We are seeking candidates from diverse backgrounds.

Commitment to Equitable Hiring

evolveEA provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or genetics.
In addition to federal law requirements, evolveEA complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location where the company operates.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.