Civil or Environmental Engineering Co-op Intern

SWCA, Incorporated; Lombard (IL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid internship

Competitive hourly rate

Job summary

SWCA, Incorporated is seeking enthusiastic Civil or Environmental Engineering Co-ops for the Spring 2027 team in Chicago, IL. This paid 40-hour/week internship offers a blend of office and field experiences with multi-disciplinary engineers.

You will support project teams on civil/environmental projects, travel to fields about half the time, and develop skills in communication and teamwork. The role runs January 4–April 23, 2027.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a co-op program integrated into your university curriculum is required.
• Ability to travel to the field approximately 50% of the time, including spending up to a week or two at a project location.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle in remote or backcountry conditions.

Responsibilities

• Support project managers and field lead in various engineering projects (stream restoration, wetland restoration, site grading, stormwater management, inspections, etc.).
• Engage in office tasks such as data clean-up, reporting, and other tasks supporting the Engineering team.
• Conduct fieldwork across office locations and nearby states, including hiking for extended periods.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and independently when required.

Skills

MS Office

Field travel

4WD driving

Education

Enrollment in co-op program

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

ArcGIS

GPS devices

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA is seeking enthusiastic Civil or Environmental Engineering Co-ops (HR Title: Intern – Engineering) to join our Spring 2027 team in Chicago, IL. This role offers a dynamic mix of office and field experience, giving you the chance to collaborate with talented, multi-disciplinary engineering professionals.

As an Engineering Co-op, you will apply your passion for civil or environmental engineering in real-world projects, while building critical skills in communication, problem-solving, and teamwork. We are looking for students with a positive attitude, eagerness to learn, flexibility, and strong collaboration skills.

Your role will be filled with exciting challenges and hands-on projects, running from January 4th, 2027 until April 23rd 2027.

This is a paid, 40-hour/week co-op with a competitive rate of $24/hour. Preference will be given to candidates located in the Chicago, IL area; however, qualified candidates residing in Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Indiana will also be considered.

What you will accomplish

• Support project managers and field lead in various engineering projects (stream restoration, wetland restoration, site grading, stormwater management, inspections, etc.).
• Engage in office tasks such as data clean-up, reporting, and other tasks supporting the Engineering team.
• Conduct fieldwork across office locations and nearby states, including hiking for extended periods.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and independently when required.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Enrollment in a co-op program integrated into your university curriculum is required.
• Ability to travel to the field approximately 50% of the time, including spending up to a week or two at a project location.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to safely operate a 4WD vehicle in remote or backcountry conditions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D through coursework, projects, co-op experience, or volunteer work.
• Familiarity with GPS devices, digital data collection, and mapping software such as ArcGIS.
• Experience with technical writing or preparing reports.