Civil Engineering Intern - Aviation

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.; Appleton (WI); Hybrid; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services is seeking an Aviation Intern to support airfield planning and engineering design projects for airports. You will work with airport authorities and public agencies, applying FAA design criteria and preparing layout plans, pavement designs, and grant materials.

You will gain hands-on experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D and related software while collaborating with Senior Engineers and Planners on diverse projects in Wisconsin.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in Civil Engineering, Airport Planning, or related field.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Willingness to learn in a flexible, cross-disciplinary environment.
• Willingness to attend site visits and perform field work in outdoor environments.

Responsibilities

• Assist with airfield pavement, grading, and drainage plans per FAA standards.
• Support development of airport layout plans, exhibits, and planning studies.
• Use AutoCAD Civil3D, MicroStation, OpenRoads to prepare drawings and estimates.
• Help prepare FAA and state aviation grant materials and construction cost estimates.
• Coordinate with team members to ensure project progress.
• Travel to project sites to gather field data and interface with clients.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

MS Office

Field data collection

Interpersonal skills

Attention to detail

Education

Undergraduate Civil Engineering / Airport Planning

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

MicroStation

OpenRoads

Job description

Description

Westwood Professional Services

The Aviation Intern will join a team supporting airfield planning and engineering design projects for general aviation and commercial service airports, working directly with airport authorities and other public agency clients. Projects range from small pavement rehabilitation projects to large-scale runway, taxiway, and terminal infrastructure improvements funded through federal and state airport grant programs. This position offers direct opportunity to apply engineering and planning coursework to real-world aviation infrastructure projects.

As an Aviation Intern, the selected candidate will learn to apply industry standards — including FAA Advisory Circulars and airport design criteria — while assisting Senior Engineers and Planners in the preparation of airport layout plans, pavement designs, and grant application materials. The intern will build foundational proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and other design software used throughout the aviation practice.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Assist with the preparation of airfield pavement, grading, and drainage plans in accordance with FAA design standards.
• Support development of airport layout plans, exhibits, and planning study documentation for airport sponsors.
• Use design software like AutoCAD Civil3D, MicroStations, OpenRoads, and other related software to prepare and check working drawings, details, layouts, and estimates.
• Help prepare FAA and state aviation grant application materials and construction cost estimates.
• Develop an understanding of client interests and help identify approaches to address client concerns in the performance of project work.
• Actively coordinate with team members across the organization to ensure effective communication and project progress.
• Travel to project sites as necessary to gather field data and interface directly with clients and airport authority staff.

Required Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate program in Civil Engineering, Airport Planning, or other related degrees.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with clients, management, and design team members.
• Willingness to learn in a flexible, cross-disciplinary work environment.
• Willingness to attend site visits and perform work in outdoor field conditions, including active airfield environments, on occasion.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications:

The following qualifications are preferred but not required for consideration:

• Relevant industry experience through coursework projects or prior internships in aviation, airport planning, or civil engineering.

About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve. Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do. We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision.

We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make. We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.

In 2025, Westwood was recognized as #77 on the ENR Top 500 Design Firms. Additionally, Westwood was ranked #5 for ENR's Top Design Firm for Solar, #6 for Battery Storage, and #3 for Wind (2025). The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award‑winning projects nationwide. Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. 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.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.