Construction Field Engineer Intern- Summer 2026

Nichols Contracting Inc.; Columbia (MD); On-site; USD 22,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Nichols Contracting, Inc. (NCI) is seeking a Construction Field Engineer Intern to support field operations and gain hands-on experience in both office and field settings.

You will work with superintendents, engineers, and subcontractors to learn the fundamentals of construction management. Responsibilities include reading drawings, drafting daily reports, assisting with safety, site logistics, scheduling, and quality control, and actively contributing to project teamwork and documentation.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related degree program
• 3.0 Cumulative GPA
• Basic knowledge of construction principles, safety standards, and project phases
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with construction management software
• Previous internship or jobsite experience (a plus, not required)

Responsibilities

• Learn to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
• Develop written communication skills: emails, daily reports, meeting minutes
• Perform document control duties
• Adhere to construction safety requirements; document daily safety observations
• Assist with coordinated site logistics
• Collaborate with project team on on-site subcontractor coordination and weekly look‑ahead schedules
• Contribute to project quality control and material verification
• Support day‑to‑day operations as needed

Skills

Communication

Organization

Time management

Reading drawings

Education

Construction Management / Civil Engineering / Architecture degree (in progress)

Tools

Microsoft Office

Construction management software

Job description

Description

Nichols Contracting, Inc. (NCI) is a family-owned and operated Construction and Contracting business headquartered in Columbia, MD with offices in Richmond VA, Royal Palm Beach and Orlando, Florida, with a team of 170 employees. NCI is a full-service general contractor focused on providing premier services in all aspects of the construction process, from concept to completion. We manage a broad range of commercial construction projects, including new construction, tenant fit outs, and renovations. NCI services a diverse group of markets including federal, state, and local governments, as well as a variety of corporate and special industry organizations that require complex life safety and critical infrastructure needs.

Essential Functions

As a Construction Field Engineer Intern, you will support the field operations team in the successful execution of a construction project. This internship is designed to provide hands‑on experience in both office and field settings, exposing you to the processes, procedures, and responsibilities of a general contractor. You will work alongside superintendents, assistant superintendents, engineers, and subcontractors to learn the fundamentals of construction management. Duties to include but not limited to:

• Will be learning how to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
• Will be learning written communication skills, including sending emails, filling out daily reports, and keeping meeting minutes
• Will be learning how to perform document control
• Will be learning the importance of and adherence to construction safety requirements, including documenting daily safety observations in the field
• Will be learning how to assist with and execute coordinated site logistics
• Will be learning through direct involvement with the project team in on site subcontractor coordination and updating weekly look‑ahead schedules
• Will be learning how to actively contribute to the project quality control process, including verifying materials
• Support the team with day‑to‑day operations as needed

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related degree program
• 3.0 Cumulative GPA
• Basic knowledge of construction principles, safety standards, and project phases
• Strong communication and organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks in a fast‑paced environment
• Familiarity with construction management software
• Previous internship or jobsite experience (a plus, not required)

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Ability to independently ascend and descend stairs.
• Ability to independently reach, twist, and bend.
• Ability to independently remain stationary for extended periods of time; and
• Ability to independently lift up to 30 pounds when required by work assignment.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy

Nichols Contracting provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type on the basis of 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 of local laws.

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.