Structural Engineering Intern

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.; Minnetonka (MN); On-site; USD 25,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Structural Intern to join our structural engineering team in Minnesota.

You will support design of foundations and support structures for utility-scale wind, solar, and battery energy storage projects and gain hands-on exposure to industry standards and practical calculations. You will assist in preparation of calculations, drawings, and construction documents, learn AutoCAD, RISA, STAAD, and collaborate with senior engineers while traveling to

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering program, preferably Civil Engineering with a Structural emphasis.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with clients, management, and design team members.
• Willingness to learn in a flexible, cross-disciplinary work environment.
• Willingness to attend site visits and perform work in outdoor field conditions on occasion.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Work with engineers to obtain training and build foundational proficiency in AutoCAD, RISA, STAAD, and other design software used by Structural Engineers.
• Assist in the structural analysis and design of solar racking, BESS enclosure, and equipment pad foundations.
• Support the preparation of structural calculations, drawings, and details for construction documents.
• Help perform wind, seismic, and gravity load calculations in accordance with applicable building codes.
• Actively coordinate with internal and external team members across renewable energy projects to ensure effective communication and project progress.
• Travel to project sites as necessary to gather field data and interface directly with clients.

Skills

Verbal & written communication

Team collaboration

Willingness to learn

Outdoor/field work readiness

Driver's license

Education

ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering program

Civil Engineering with Structural emphasis

Tools

AutoCAD

RISA

STAAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

Description

Westwood Professional Services

The Structural Intern will join a structural engineering team supporting the design of foundations and support structures for utility-scale wind, solar, and battery energy storage projects. Projects range from solar racking and BESS enclosure foundation designs to wind turbine and substation structure analyses for renewable energy developers, IPPs, and utility clients. This position offers a direct opportunity to apply structural engineering coursework to real-world renewable energy infrastructure projects.

As a Structural Intern, the selected candidate will learn to apply industry standards, including ACI, AISC, IBC, and ASCE 7, in the structural design process and will assist Senior Engineers in the preparation of structural calculations, foundation drawings, and construction documents.

Requirements

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Work with engineers to obtain training and build foundational proficiency in AutoCAD, RISA, STAAD, and other design software used by Structural Engineers.
• Assist in the structural analysis and design of solar racking, BESS enclosure, and equipment pad foundations.
• Support the preparation of structural calculations, drawings, and details for construction documents.
• Help perform wind, seismic, and gravity load calculations in accordance with applicable building codes.
• Actively coordinate with internal and external team members across renewable energy projects to ensure effective communication and project progress.
• Travel to project sites as necessary to gather field data and interface directly with clients.

Required Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled in an ABET-accredited undergraduate engineering program, preferably in Civil Engineering with a Structural emphasis.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to interact professionally with clients, management, and design team members.
• Willingness to learn in a flexible, cross-disciplinary work environment.
• Willingness to attend site visits and perform work in outdoor field conditions on occasion.
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Preferred Qualifications:

The following qualifications are preferred but not required for consideration:

• Relevant industry experience through engineering coursework projects or prior internships in structural engineering.
• Experience with technical design software including AutoCAD, RISA, STAAD, or other relevant engineering tools.

About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.

Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.

We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision.

We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.

We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.

Join us in creating a better world.

In 2025, Westwood was recognized as #77 on the ENR Top 500 Design Firms. Additionally, Westwood was ranked #5 for ENR's Top Design Firm for Solar, #6 for Battery Storage, and #3 for Wind (2025). The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.