Construction Project Manager Intern or Co-Op (2027)

ARCO Companies; South Carolina; On-site; USD 25,000 - 39,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Housing stipend

Competitive hourly pay with overtime

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Professional development

Team lunches and networking events

Fully stocked kitchens

Inclusive work environment

Job summary

ARCO Design/Build invites motivated students to join our Construction Design/Build Project Manager (DBM) Intern/Co-op program in the United States. You will experience the full project lifecycle, working with experienced professionals committed to your growth and learning.

You will participate in estimating, scheduling, design meetings, site visits, and reporting while gaining hands-on experience in buyout, permitting, and submittal reviews.

Qualifications

• Excellent verbal communication skills and attention to detail
• Strong work ethic and integrity
• Co-op or intern experience in construction preferred but not required
• GPA 3.0 or higher preferred but not required

Responsibilities

• Concept to completion approach exposure, from initial concept through final delivery
• Estimating and takeoffs: describe project proposals and assign dollar values
• Scheduling: assist in creating timelines for subcontractors/trades activities
• Attend design meetings with owner and design team, including structural engineers and architects
• Prepare weekly reports and track meeting action items
• Shadow project calls and site meetings
• Assist with buyout: bid instructions, schedules, drawings, subcontracts
• Complete permit applications with authorities
• Review shop drawings and submittals with DBMs and communicate approvals
• Learn about subcontracts, change orders, pay requests, and pay applications
• Visit job sites to monitor progress
• Training and learning through L&D programs
• Gain exposure to business development and client relationships

Skills

Verbal communication

Attention to detail

Work ethic

GPA 3.0+

Co-op/Intern experience in CM

Education

Civil Engineering / Mechanical / Architectural / Construction Management / Building Science or Construction Engineering undergrad/grad program

Job description

About You:

Are you a passionate problem-solver who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment? Do you take pride in doing the right thing and delivering quality work with integrity? Are you excited to learn how construction projects come to life — from the first idea to the final walkthrough?

If you answered “Yes!” — this opportunity was built for you.

At ARCO Design/Build, we’re not just building structures — we’re building the next generation of industry leaders. Join us and discover what it means to be part of one of the nation’s top design/build construction firms.

A Day in the Life:

As a Construction Design/Build Project Manager (DBM) Intern/Co-op, every day brings a new lesson. You’ll gain exposure to the full lifecycle of a project while working alongside experienced professionals who are invested in your growth.

Here’s what you can expect:

• Concept to Completion Approach – Gain how ARCO manages projects from the initial concept through final delivery.
• Estimating and Takeoffs – Learn to describe project proposals and assign accurate dollar values.
• Scheduling – Assist in creating timelines for subcontractors/trades activities.
• Design Meetings – Attend meetings with the owner and design team, including structural engineers and architects.
• Reporting – Prepare weekly reports, document progress, and track meeting action items .
• Shadowing – Join project calls and site meetings to observe how our Design/Build Managers lead.
• Buyout – Send bid instructions, schedules, and drawings to subcontractors. Evaluate proposals and assist with awarding subcontracts.
• Permitting – Complete and submit permit applications with necessary documents and fees to city/county/fire authorities.
• Shop Drawing & Submittal Review – Receive and route submittals to DBMs and communicate approvals to subcontractors.
• Billing – Learn about subcontracts, change orders, pay requests, and pay applications.
• Job Site Visits – Visit job sites with DBMs to monitor project progress.
• Training & Learning – Attend offsite trainings and biweekly learning sessions provided by the Learning and Development team.
• Business Development – Gain exposure to how we build client relationships and implement industry-wide business development strategies.

No matter where you’re starting from, you’ll leave this experience with valuable industry knowledge and a strong foundation for a future in construction.

Necessary Qualifications:

• Enrolled in an accredited Civil, Mechanical, Architectural, Construction Management, Building Science, or Construction Engineering undergraduate or graduate program(other related engineering majors will be considered)
• Excellent verbal communication skills, attention to detail, and a strong work ethic
• Previous Co-op or Intern experience in construction preferred, but not required
• GPA 3.0 or higher preferred, but not required

Four core values that guide our culture:

• Treat people fairly and do the right thing
• Understand our customers’ business and solve their problems
• Be positive, upbeat, and have fun
• Create opportunities for individual financial success based on merit

Here’s what you’ll get as part of our internship/co-op program:

• Competitive hourly pay with overtime opportunities
• Housing stipend available based on need
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for interns working at least 3 months
• Professional development through training and mentorship
• Company-sponsored lunches, happy hours, and networking events
• Fully stocked kitchens with drinks and snacks
• A fun, inclusive work environment

We don’t just invest in projects — we invest in people. From your first day, you’ll be part of a team that values growth, connection, and doing great work.

ARCO is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all team members, interns, and co-ops.

MAKE YOUR MOVE

We are proud to be one of the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in America, celebrating over 30 years of experience as design-build experts. We have completed over 7,500 design-build projects nationwide. We ranked #9 on ENR’s Design-Build Firms list and #34 on ENR’s Top 400 Contractors list of 2026. Most importantly, our clients like us, trust us, and want to do business with us. We are looking for people with the same enthusiasm, passion, and respect for the hard work that brought us to where we are today. Are you a person who can make a difference at ARCO? If the answer is “Yes!” we look forward to meeting you.

ARCO does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies without pre-approval from ARCO’s Human Resources team. Pre-approval is required before any external candidate can be submitted. ARCO will not be responsible for fees related to unsolicited resumes and for candidates who are sent directly to our hiring managers. Agencies must have a fully executed vendor agreement in place as well as written approval to submit candidates from an ARCO TA Manager for a specific position before submitting candidates.

LEGAL DISCLAIMER

EOE, including disability/vets