Structural Engineer Intern - Energy & Industrial Group (Summer 2027)

Sargent Lundy; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 25,000 - 41,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Plans

401(k)

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

Tuition Assistance

Flexible Work Arrangements

Paid Parental Leave

First Licensure Bonus

Job summary

Sargent & Lundy in Chicago is seeking a Structural Engineer Intern to join a project team focused on power plant and industrial structures. You will assist senior engineers and apply coursework in structural analysis and design.

The role emphasizes learning in materials behavior, steel and concrete design, and foundation design, with opportunities to work on calculations, specifications, and submittals. This internship provides exposure to modern tools and a pathway toward professional licensure.

Qualifications

• Expected graduation Winter 2027 or Spring 2028 toward a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering.
• Strong academic background with coursework in materials behavior, structural analysis, and design.
• Good verbal and written communication and strong PC skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in preparing engineering calculations, specifications, and designs.
• Review submittals from outside sources such as equipment information and shop drawings.
• Support project teams on design and analysis tasks.

Skills

Materials behavior

Structural analysis

Structural design

Structural steel design

Reinforced concrete design

Foundation design

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

MathCad

STAAD PRO

SAP2000

SAFE

ANSYS

Job description

Responsibilities

This position has a target start date in summer 2027.

• As a Structural Engineer Intern, you will be assigned to work on a project team and assist the engineering team members in the execution of their project work. These projects may involve the design of new and/or modifications and upgrades to existing power plant or industrial systems, components, and structures.
• Working under the direction of senior engineers, this position will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your academic background in Structural Engineering in the following areas:
• Assist in the preparation of engineering calculations, specifications, and designs.
• Review engineering related submittals from outside sources such as equipment information and shop drawings.

Qualifications

We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.

Essential skills and experience:

• Must have an expected graduation date in Winter 2027 or Spring 2028 toward a Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with a strong academic background and coursework in an interest in behavior of materials, structural analysis, structural steel design, reinforced concrete design and foundation design.
• Good verbal and written communication skills along with strong PC skills are required.

Valued but not required skills and experience:

• Prior, related internship or co-op experience.
• Enrollment in an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
• An understanding of the practical application of structural engineering and technology.
• Knowledge of any of the following programs: MathCad, STAAD PRO, SAP2000, SAFE, or ANSYS

Technology & Innovation

In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to solve problems using modern tools:

• You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
• Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
• Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
• We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.

About Sargent & Lundy

At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance

• Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
• Life & Accident Insurance
• Disability Coverage
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Back-Up Daycare
• FSA & HSA

• 401(k)
• Pre-Tax Commuter Account
• Merit Scholarship Program
• Employee Discount Program
• Corporate Charitable Giving Program
• Tuition Assistance
• First Professional Licensure Bonus
• Employee Referral Bonus

• Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range

$18.00 - $30.00

Transparency Statement

Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.

About This Business Unit

The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.

Equal Opportunity

Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.