Engineering Intern - Mechanicsville, VA

Virginia Department of Transportation; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

Virginia Department of Transportation is offering a paid summer internship for current full-time college students. The program provides hands-on experience in Construction, Structures and Bridges, Materials, and the Research Council, with locations in the Central Office in downtown RVA or the nearby Lockwood Office.

Interns will engage in planned work experiences that integrate classroom knowledge with practical application, under supervision, and with opportunities to develop professional

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled full-time in an Associate’s degree program or higher.
• Must maintain full-time student status during internship (undergraduate or graduate).
• Must be at least 18 years old by start of internship.
• Basic knowledge of engineering principles.
• Must maintain 12+ credit hours (undergrad) or 9+ credit hours (grad) per semester.

Responsibilities

• Communicate with VDOT staff and external contacts and consultants; resolve issues.
• Apply engineering technology principles to assigned program areas and interpret policies.
• Perform routine maintenance and repairs on testing equipment; follow storage and transport guidelines.
• Prepare and maintain daily documentation of project activities; avoid delays.
• Maintain accurate records and data entry to meet deadlines; follow procedures.

Skills

Communication

Engineering Principles

Mathematics (Algebra/Geometry)

Team Collaboration

Manual Labor Ability

MS Office

Reading/Interpreting Plans

Adaptability

Education

Enrollment in higher degree program

Full-time student status (undergraduate/graduate)

Minimum age 18

Tools

MS Office

Smartphones

Job description

Are you a full-time college student interested in a paid internship in public sector service, supporting the state of Virginia? Perhaps VDOT can help you to discover what drives you. Spend June-August of 2027 working in our Central Office in downtown RVA or our nearby Lockwood Office supporting our mission to Keep Virginia Moving. Our VDOT Engineering Internship provides guided real work experience functional areas within VDOT such as Construction, Structure and Bridge, Materials, and the Research Council. Explore what it takes to help build and operate the third-largest state-maintained highway system in the country. To be eligible for an internship, you MUST be an active full-time college student, at least a rising sophomore, in an undergraduate or graduate program for the duration of the internship season.

Job Description

Perform special duties as assigned. As a student, engage and participate in planned and education-related work experiences that integrate the knowledge and theory gained in the academic setting with practical application and skill development in the workplace.

How you will contribute:

• Communication: Communicate with VDOT staff as well as external contacts and consultants. Proactively resolve issues at the lowest level. Project a positive VDOT image. Keep supervisor advised of important development and field observations.
• Engineering Technology: Apply principles and practices of engineering technology to assigned programs areas. Interpret policies and procedures and apply in daily work assignments.
• Equipment Maintenance: Perform routine maintenance and repairs on testing equipment. Follow appropriate guidelines for equipment storage, use, and transport.
• Perform Duties as Assigned:
• Project Documentation: Prepare and maintain daily documentation of project activities. Ensure documentation is submitted and is completed. Avoid project delays and solve project related matters.
• Record Keeping : Maintains accurate records for all project activities. Enters and updates data to meet required deadlines and requirements. Interprets and applies relevant policies and procedures.

What will make you successful:

• Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
• Ability to perform manual labor (securing, handling, and preparing materials samples).
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications.
• Knowledge of mathematics up to and including algebra and geometry.
• Skill in the use of computers, software applications to include MS Office, and smart phones.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled full-time in an Associate’s degree program or higher.
• Have a basic knowledge of engineering principles.
• Must be at least 18 years of age by the start of employment.
• Must maintain a full-time graduate status taking 9 or more credit hours per semester at a college/university before and following internship.
• Must maintain a full-time undergraduate status taking 12 or more credit hours per semester at a community college or 4-year college/university before and following internship.

Additional Considerations:

• A combination of training, experience, or education in Engineering, or related field desired.
• Ability to anticipate problems, provide solutions, follow instructions, learn quickly, and collaborate with teammates.
• Ability to make quality and timely decisions.
• Ability to work independently and in teams.