Entry-Level Structural Engineer | Intern

Degenkolb Engineers; Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo Scholarship

Other CSU Scholarship

UC Scholarship

Job summary

Degenkolb Engineers invites aspiring structural engineers to join a summer internship program designed to complement academic training with hands-on project experience. Interns may work across several offices, including Detroit and Grand Rapids, MI, gaining exposure to seismic analysis for West Coast projects or steel design for Michigan locations.

The program emphasizes mentorship, real project exposure, and opportunities to connect with engineers and leaders across the firm.

Qualifications

• Must be a continuing student enrolled through Fall 2027.
• Current full-time Civil Engineering senior planning to transition to a Structural Engineering graduate program in Fall 2027.
• Current first-year graduate student in a multi-year Structural Engineering MS/PhD program.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to active structural engineering projects and see how teams apply theory to practice.
• Engage in structural analysis and design tasks under supervision.
• Learn from experienced engineers through mentorship and feedback.

Skills

Structural analysis

Seismic analysis interest

Team collaboration

Education

Civil or Structural Engineering, senior undergraduate

Graduate program in Structural Engineering (MS/PhD)

Job description

The Internship Opportunity

Degenkolb is again offering a summer internship program for future structural engineers. The program is designed to complement your academic training with an inside look at how a structural engineering practice operates and to give you meaningful, hands‑on experience with active project work. Many former interns return to Degenkolb as full‑time employees after completing their studies. Internships are available in Los Angeles, Oakland, Orange County, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, California; Seattle, Washington; and Detroit and Grand Rapids, Michigan. You may indicate interest in multiple locations on a single application; candidates are considered for one location at a time based on ranked preferences and office availability.

Who Thrives Here

You are an upper-level civil or structural engineering student whose education will continue through at least the Fall 2027 semester. You are curious, collaborative, and eager to connect classroom concepts with real‑world structural engineering. You may be especially interested in seismic analysis for our West Coast offices or steel design for our Michigan offices. You want an internship where you can ask thoughtful questions, contribute to meaningful work, learn from experienced engineers, and better understand how technical decisions serve clients and communities. You are ready to take ownership of your learning while being supported by a culture of excellence.

Who We Are

Founded in 1940 and headquartered in San Francisco, Degenkolb Engineers helps make complex, high‑stakes projects real. We bring deep technical expertise, disciplined creativity, and a practical understanding of construction to every challenge; building strong relationships early, making complexity easier to navigate, and keeping the success of projects central to our work. Our teams deliver customized structural solutions across healthcare, education, science and technology, forensics, construction engineering, federal buildings, and other complex markets. Whether a project calls for navigating stringent codes, balancing budget and schedule, solving an unusual technical problem, or creating a landmark structural system, we connect the right people and ideas to develop solutions that serve our clients and communities.

What You’ll Experience

• Meaningful Project Work: Contribute to active structural engineering projects and see how project teams turn technical knowledge into practical solutions for clients.
• Technical Learning: Build skills in structural analysis and design, project delivery, and site observation while gaining exposure to real‑world engineering challenges.
• Mentorship & Feedback: Learn directly from experienced engineers who will provide context, answer questions, share candid feedback, and help you understand the purpose behind the work.
• Firmwide Perspectives: Participate in a summer presentation series featuring engineers and firm leaders from across Degenkolb. Past topics have included sustainability, LEANSTEEL®, construction administration, earthquake reconnaissance, practice‑area overviews, leadership conversations, and career development.
• Connection & Collaboration: Work with multidisciplinary project teams and build meaningful relationships with professionals across offices and practice areas.
• Career Exploration: Expand your professional network, strengthen your engineering judgment, and gain insight into career paths within structural engineering and at Degenkolb.

Minimum Requirements

• Academic Status: Must be a continuing student enrolled through at least the Fall 2027 semester. This includes:
• A current full‑time Civil Engineering Senior planning to transition directly into a Structural Engineering graduate program in Fall 2027.
• A current, first‑year Graduate student in multi‑year Structural Engineering master’s or Ph.D. program.
• Required Coursework: The following courses must be completed by the internship start date:
• Structural Analysis
• Steel Design
• Reinforced Concrete Design
• Academic Performance: Strong performance in upper‑division civil or structural engineering coursework, with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.40. Strong academic performance in graduate coursework is expected, where applicable.
• Technical Focus: Demonstrated passion for structural engineering, with a preferred interest in seismic analysis for West Coast offices or steel design for Michigan offices.
• Leadership & Involvement: Leadership roles or active participation in extracurricular activities, engineering societies such as ASCE or SEI, or other pursuits.
• Work Authorization: Current authorization to work in the United States for any employer.

Compensation

The hourly pay range for this position across our offices is $30.50 to $39.50 per hour. This range is a good‑faith estimate provided pursuant to applicable pay transparency laws. Actual pay will be based on factors including work location, company geographic differentials, education level, and candidate qualifications.

Scholarship Program

• One scholarship for Cal Poly San Luis Obispo students
• One scholarship for students at other California State University campuses
• One scholarship for University of California students, with preference given to members of AISES, NSBE, SHPE, or WISE

Each award is a $4,000 grant, payable after registration for the Fall 2027 quarter or semester.

Scholarship Application Requirements

• Career goals in the structural engineering profession
• Graduate school education goals
• Academic and leadership accomplishmentsChallenges overcome in your academic journey, such as the experience of being a first‑generation college student

Questions? Contact Michelle Chapman at [e-mail].

Degenkolb also participates in the NCSEA Diversity in Structural Engineering Scholarship Program.

Our Culture

Degenkolb is a place where technical rigor and human connection strengthen one another. Our flexible work environment brings together experts who are generous with their knowledge, proud of employee ownership, engaged in the profession, and respectful of life outside of work.

As an intern, you will experience focused professional development within a supportive and transparent team. You will be encouraged to contribute your perspective, learn through purposeful challenges, and build relationships that can continue well beyond the summer. Learn more about life at Degenkolb.

YOUR CURIOSITY. REAL PROJECTS. MEANINGFUL IMPACT.

Bring what you're learning. We'll help you see where it can take you.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Degenkolb Engineers complies with Equal Opportunity Employer guidelines, meaning we do not discriminate in employment matters on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, military service eligibility, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, or any other protected class. We are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where a wide range of perspectives, skills, and experiences are welcomed and respected.