Civil Design Intern

Otak; Vancouver (WA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

Otak is offering a Summer Internship across multiple business units in Portland, Vancouver, and Redmond. Interns will gain hands-on engineering experience, support project teams, and contribute to transportation and civil infrastructure projects.

Ideal candidates are pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering, with strong communication and teamwork skills. AutoCAD/Civil 3D experience is a plus, and the role includes site visits and fieldwork opportunities.

Qualifications

• Enrolled as a college junior, senior, or graduate student pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering.
• Foundational understanding of engineering principles and interest in applying academics to real-world transportation, civil infrastructure, or water resources projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary team.
• Experience with AutoCAD/Civil 3D is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Support project teams with research, data collection, analysis, and preparation of project materials.
• Assist with plans, drawings, reports, presentations, and other project deliverables using relevant software and tools.
• Help maintain project documentation, organize information, and support project coordination.
• Participate in team meetings and collaborate with professionals across disciplines.
• Assist with site visits, fieldwork, and other project activities as opportunities arise.
• Bring fresh ideas, ask questions, and apply classroom learning to practical challenges.

Skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

Civil Engineering degree (Bachelor's or Master's)

Tools

AutoCAD/Civil 3D

Job description

Are you ready to apply your academic knowledge to real-world projects? Join Otak as a Summer Intern and gain hands-on engineering experience in a dynamic, multidisciplinary environment. Otak, an award-winning multidisciplinary design and consulting firm, is excited to offer summer internships across multiple business units in Portland, Oregon, and Vancouver and Redmond, Washington.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute to a wide variety of projects, including municipal roadways, trails and sidewalks, pedestrian and vehicular bridges, retaining walls, buried structures, park facilities, community transit infrastructure, site development, utilities, roadway and site drainage, stormwater treatment and retrofits, flood mitigation, and river, stream, and wetland restoration.

Our teams are looking for enthusiastic, team-oriented interns eager to learn, develop their technical skills, and grow within our organization. You'll collaborate with passionate, creative professionals on rewarding projects that make a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

How You'll Contribute:

• Support project teams with research, data collection, analysis, and preparation of project materials.
• Assist with plans, drawings, reports, presentations, and other project deliverables using relevant software and tools.
• Help maintain project documentation, organize information, and support project coordination.
• Participate in team meetings and collaborate with professionals across disciplines.
• Assist with site visits, fieldwork, and other project activities as opportunities arise.
• Bring fresh ideas, ask questions, and apply classroom learning to practical challenges.

The Strengths You Bring:

• Currently enrolled as a college junior, senior, or graduate student pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering.
• Foundational understanding of engineering principles and an interest in applying academic knowledge to real-world transportation, civil infrastructure, or water resources projects.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with attention to detail and a willingness to learn.
• Interest in professional development, extracurricular activities, or involvement in academic and community organizations.
• Experience with AutoCAD/Civil 3D is a plus.

Salary Range: $27-$29 an hour.

Why work at Otak?

We’re not just looking for skills and experience, having shared values is just as important! When you work at Otak, you aren’t just joining a firm — you’re joining a community. We believe our best work happens in a culture of collaboration and inclusion, where the expertise of diverse individuals can thrive in a foundation of teamwork. The work environment we create is built on a simple concept: working on interesting projects with interesting people. However, we don’t just believe in cultivating our own community; we’re also committed to enriching the communities around us with smart, creative solutions. We know our employees make an investment in us, so we’re committed to making an investment in them. Seasoned experts and young professionals work together to encourage personal growth and skill development at all experience levels. Plus, we’re expanding — and we’re dedicated to developing an internal infrastructure with the strength and talent to support that growth.

At Otak, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to cultivating a workplace that is inclusive, equitable, and respectful for all. We believe that diverse perspectives enrich our work environment, fuel innovation, and are essential to our collective success.

We are dedicated to maintaining a workplace that is free from discrimination, harassment, and bias. Every individual at Otak is valued, included, and treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.

All employment decisions, including those related to recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, compensation, benefits, and termination are based on business needs, job requirements, and individual qualifications. We strive to ensure that our practices uphold fairness and equity at every stage of the employment lifecycle.

Our Vision for an Inclusive Workplace

We are committed to creating an environment where:

• Diverse identities are embraced, and differences are valued as a source of strength.
• Every employee feels safe to be their authentic self and contributes meaningfully.
• Unique perspectives are encouraged, and open dialogue is welcomed to foster innovation.
• Curiosity replaces judgment, and respectful engagement is prioritized in all interactions.
• Relationships are built on mutual trust, dignity, and respect, forming the foundation of our workplace culture.

We provide reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities, including pregnant employees, to ensure an accessible and supportive work environment. If you require assistance or accommodations during the application process or in the workplace, please contactOtak’s People Services Departmentat [e-mail] .

Join us in shaping a more inclusive future!