Intern, Engineering Sciences (Summer 2027)

Secretariatadvisorsllc; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 40,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Secretariat is seeking a student intern for the Global Engineering Sciences team in Chicago area, performing real-world engineering investigations and data analysis across industries. You will learn to evaluate failures, assist with inspections, run calculations, and summarize findings for clients.

Ideal candidates are pursuing an engineering degree with a 3.0 GPA, strong communication, and willingness to travel.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a BS in Materials Science, Mechanical, Civil, Building Science/Architectural, Chemical, or related fields.
• Graduation window between December 2027 and August 2030.
• GPA of 3.0 or higher is required.

Responsibilities

• Support hands-on investigations and learn how to evaluate what happened and why.
• Review designs, drawings, specs, and project documents for accuracy.
• Assist with field inspections, site visits, testing, and data analysis.
• Perform engineering calculations and research technical issues.
• Summarize project documents and findings clearly for clients.
• Contribute to visuals and exhibits to tell the story of a technical issue.

Skills

Communication

Analytical thinking

Curious mindset

Team player

Quick learner

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant engineering field

Expected graduation date Dec 2027–Aug 2030

Minimum GPA 3.0

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Chart Your Journey at Secretariat

From a collaborative culture to teammates who will always be by your side, find a career that will grow with you. Deliver your impact at Secretariat.

Secretariat is a consulting firm that helps companies, law firms, and organizations solve complex business problems—often when there is a dispute, investigation, major project challenge, or high-stakes decision involved. At Secretariat, you’ll work on some of the most important legal, risk, and regulatory challenges facing businesses around the world.

From your first day, you’ll be part of a fast-growing team of smart, curious, and driven people who enjoy solving complex problems. You’ll learn by working alongside experienced professionals and contributing to projects for leading law firms, global companies, and major institutions.

Our teams collaborate across offices and disciplines, bringing energy, fresh thinking, and commitment to every client challenge. We invest in your growth through hands-on experience, mentorship, professional development, recognition, and a culture that values diverse perspectives.

Start your career where your work matters. Make your impact at Secretariat.

ABOUT OUR ENGINEERING SCIENCES TEAM

As part of our growing Global Engineering Sciences team, you’ll apply what you’re learning in the classroom to real-world engineering challenges across industries such as energy, chemicals, machinery, automotive, consumer products, electronics, medical devices, and the built environment. You may help investigate why products, systems, or structures fail, support testing and analysis, and contribute to projects involving buildings, bridges, industrial facilities, and other structures that shape the world around us.

You’ll work alongside experienced engineers, scientists, and consultants to learn how engineering is used to solve complex questions related to performance, safety, reliability, and design. This is a great fit for students who are curious, analytical, and excited to build practical technical and consulting skills.

Secretariat is a fast-growing international expert services firm with more than 500 professionals in 20+ cities worldwide. For students and early-career professionals, we offer meaningful work from day one, mentorship from leading experts, and the chance to build valuable technical, consulting, and problem-solving skills.

Please note - this role will be tied to Chicago but performed in Peoria.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Support hands-on failure investigations and learn how engineers evaluate what happened, why it happened, and how it can be explained clearly.
• Compare real-world conditions with original designs, drawings, specifications, and project documents.
• Assist with field inspections, site visits, laboratory testing, and other investigative activities.
• Perform engineering calculations, research technical issues, and analyze data to help solve complex problems.
• Review, organize, and summarize project documents, technical records, photos, test results, and other relevant information.
• Help draft clear, well-supported report sections that explain technical findings in a way clients can understand.
• Contribute to visuals, exhibits, and demonstratives that help tell the story of a technical issue or investigation.
• Analyze technical reports prepared by others and help develop supporting, concurring, or rebuttal perspectives.
• Participate in team and client communications, gaining exposure to consulting work across different industries and time zones.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues, peers, and clients while contributing to a collaborative team environment.
• Use curiosity, attention to detail, and strong analytical thinking to help the team meet project milestones and deliver high-quality work.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Building Science/Architectural Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or a related field; advanced degree candidates are also encouraged to apply.
• Expected graduation date between December 2027 and August 2030.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0.
• Interest in pursuing PE credentials is a plus.
• Curious, analytical, and eager to solve complex problems in practical, real-world settings.
• Strong communication skills, including listening, writing, presenting, and explaining technical ideas clearly.
• Able to learn quickly, think creatively, manage competing priorities, and ask thoughtful questions when guidance is needed.
• Comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative team in a fast-growing consulting environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Willingness and ability to travel as needed.
• Additional language skills are a plus.
• Authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship.

A rewarding career above all

There are a lot of fine consulting firms out there. But when everything is on the line, it takes a unique combination of skill and savvy to succeed under pressure.

Our culture and people are driven by passion, pride, and performance. Passion for the clients we serve, the work we deliver, and the communities we live in. Pride in our cohesive team recognized for excellence and trusted to perform in the most challenging situations. And our track record of outstanding performance across all of our disciplines speaks for itself.

Our people are motivated to be the best in everything they do – from our approach to making the complex simple to the way we mentor our up-and-coming talent to become trusted experts early in their careers.

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