Construction Project Engineer Intern

McKinstry; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 30,000 - 36,000; Part time

Job summary

McKinstry invites applications for its Construction Project Engineer Intern position in Portland, OR for Summer 2027. The program offers hands-on experience, mentorship, and real project exposure while you explore career paths within the built environment.

You will support client communications, document control, procurement coordination, and on-site collaboration with subcontractors and project teams, while learning to read plans and manage logs and submittals.

Qualifications

• Must be pursuing or have a degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• Sophomore standing or higher required.

Responsibilities

• Communicating with clients and project resources and document discussions, outcomes and decisions.
• Coordinating equipment procurement with the purchasing department and vendors.
• Supporting the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
• Working with various internal and external teams while on jobsite.
• Attending team management meetings.
• Communicating with McKinstry subcontractors and routing of correspondence.
• Communicating with Project Manager and Project team for daily duties.
• Maintaining drawings, daily correspondence with trades, schedules, RFI logs, submittal logs, and superintendent daily reports.
• Assisting in the client and subcontractor change order process.
• Creating Requests for Information (RFI).
• Processing, reviewing, logging, and distributing submittals.
• Publishing Operations and Maintenance Manuals for the client.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills

Communication

Attention to detail

Organization

Multi-tasking

Independent work

Reading construction plans

MS Office

Education

Construction Management or Mechanical Engineering degree

Tools

SharePoint

MS Project

Job description

Thank you for your interest in interning with McKinstry! We are proud and excited to offer summer internships for 2027 across several of our different office locations and are currently seeking a Construction Project Engineer Intern to join our construction team in Portland, OR.

McKinstry is innovating the waste and climate harm out of the built environment and creating lasting impact. Together, we’re building a thriving planet.

Buildings are a leading contributor to the climate crisis, generating nearly 40% of total global energy-related carbon emissions. We’re making a lasting impact on our industry and within our communities by addressing the climate, affordability and equity crises through:

• renewables and energy services
• engineering and design
• construction and facility services

To get where we’re going, we need big thinkers, problem solvers and collaborative mindsets. Does that sound like you?

Our B.L.U.E.(Build, Learn, Understand, Enrich)Summer Internship Program is purposefully designed to inspire your imagination and help you guide your career with purpose. You’ll be an integral part of McKinstry with hands‑on experience, mentorship and a healthy dose of fun. Our program delivers depth and real experience so that you can truly evaluate potential career paths within the work we do.

What we look for in our Construction Project Engineer Interns:

• Must be pursuing or have a degree in Construction Management, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. Sophomore student standing or higher required.
• Availability in Summer 2027 (May/June start until August/September depending on school); part‑time availability after Summer preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be detail‑oriented, well organized, and possess excellent follow‑up skills.
• Must be self‑motivated, able to multi‑task, and work independently.
• Ability to read and interpret construction plans, specs, contracts, proposals, estimates, and other regularly encountered items.
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite - Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Visio required; working knowledge of SharePoint and MS Project preferred.
• Must be 18 years of age or older

What are our Construction Project Engineer Interns responsible for:

• Communicating with clients and project resources (subcontractors, vendors, trades) and document discussions, outcomes and decisions.
• Coordinating equipment procurement with the purchasing department and vendors.
• Supporting the Request for Proposal (RFP) process.
• Working with various internal and external teams while on jobsite.
• Attending team management meetings.
• Communicating and coordinating with McKinstry subcontractors, including the routing of any correspondence.
• Communicating with Project Manager and Project team for daily duties.
• Maintaining drawings, daily correspondence with trades, schedules, RFI logs, submittal logs, and superintendent daily reports.
• Assisting in the client and subcontractor change order process.
• Creating Requests for Information (RFI)
• Processing, reviewing, logging, and distributing submittals.
• Publishing Operations and Maintenance Manuals for the client.
• Other duties as assigned

The hourly rate for this role is $24/hr.

The McKinstry group of companies are equal opportunity employers. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, race, color, creed, marital status, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other basis protected by law. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment including, but not limited to employment, advancement, assignment, and training. This commitment to Equal Employment Opportunity is made equally as a social responsibility and as an economic and business necessity.

McKinstry is a drug‑free workplace. Employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre‑employment drug and alcohol test, complying with the requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act and a Confidentiality Agreement, in addition to successful outcomes of background and reference checks.