Summer Design Intern - Kansas City District

State of Missouri; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Missouri’s MoDOT Kansas City District Office is seeking a highway designer to determine design features and perform computations for detailed construction plans on highway projects. The position requires enrollment in an ABET-accredited engineering program, a minimum 2.0 GPA, and at least 30 completed credits.

Tasks include design work, plan development, quantity calculations, and collaboration with surveyors.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in ABET-accredited engineering program.
• Must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher.
• Must have completed at least 30 credit hours.

Responsibilities

• Design highway projects including bridges and resurfacing using engineering software and prepare reports.
• Determine highway design features, geometrics, standards, grades, earthwork quantities, traffic control, drainage, and safety improvements.
• Assist in development and review of preliminary and final plans for complex projects.
• Compute project quantities and estimate costs throughout all project stages.
• Collaborate with a Professional Land Surveyor to plot land and determine easements.

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

GPA 2.0 or higher

Completed 30 credit hours

Job description

Posting closes 11/16/2026

This position will be filled at a salary no higher than the posted maximum salary.

Job Location: Kansas City District Office - 600 NE Colbern Rd. Lee's Summit, MO 64086

Why You'll Love This Position

The highway designer is responsible for the determination of highway design features and performs computations for preparation of detailed construction plans for a portion of, or a complete, highway project. Responsibilities are performed under moderate supervision.

Posting closes 11/16/2026

This position will be filled at a salary no higher than the posted maximum salary.

Job Location: Kansas City District Office - 600 NE Colbern Rd. Lee's Summit, MO 64086

Why You'll Love This Position

The highway designer is responsible for the determination of highway design features and performs computations for preparation of detailed construction plans for a portion of, or a complete, highway project. Responsibilities are performed under moderate supervision.

What You'll Do

• Designs projects, including but not limited to, bridge replacements and resurfacing utilizing engineering software; prepares reconnaissance and conceptual reports and other project correspondence, including but not limited to, environmental impact statements.
• Determines highway design features including geometrics, standards for highway functional classification, profile grades, typical sections, earthwork quantities, signals, signing and lighting, construction staging, traffic control, drainage, construction limits, exceptions to design standards, and safety improvements, uses computer aided drafting and design (CADD) system and other engineering software for computations and plan preparation.
• Assists in the development and review of detailed preliminary plans, right of way plans, and final plans for complex projects, including but not limited to, interchanges, urban, or major bridge projects; ensures plans are in accordance with current design standards, policies, specifications and practices.
• Computes quantities from standards and estimates costs for projects in all stages (preliminary to final) for the purpose of developing both short-term and long-term plans for construction.
• In conjunction with a Professional Land Surveyor, obtains and plots land and property lines on plans for survey notes and abstracts; computes areas; ties right of way points to centerlines; determines size and location easements.
• Addresses public concerns directly and/or indirectly, including, but not limited to, written correspondence, telephone, e-mail, public hearings and personal meetings.
• Determines highway design features such as highway grades, typical roadway sections, earthwork quantities, elevations, profiles, horizontal and vertical alignment, bridges, and functional classes in accordance to design standards.
• Designs, codes, develops supports, and configures engineering software applications to be used by the department engineers and designers.
• Develops material for end users on department's engineering software applications and assists end users with software problems/issues.
• Performs lead worker responsibilities, which may include providing general instruction, assigning and reviewing work, coaching and training, providing guidance and instruction in the proper and most efficient methods of accomplishing tasks, and providing input to the direct supervisor on staffing decisions and performance management.
• Performs other responsibilities as required or assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

All you need for success:

• Enrolled in a relevant bachelor’s or post-bachelor's degree program; for engineering candidates, program must be ABET-accredited.
• Must possess, and maintain, an overall GPA of 2.0 or higher out of 4.0
• Must have completed at least 30 credit hours.

Special Working Conditions

• None

The State of Missouri offers an excellent benefits package that includes a defined pension plan, generous amounts of leave and holiday time, and eligibility for health insurance coverage. Your total compensation is more than the dollars you receive in your paycheck. To help demonstrate the value of working for the State of Missouri, we have created an interactive Total Compensation Calculator. This tool provides a comprehensive view of benefits and more that are offered to prospective employees. The Total Compensation Calculator and other applicant resources can be found here.

At MoDOT you will play a key role in maintaining the seventh largest highway system in the United States. We value team players who are open-minded and work well with others to accomplish goals and fulfill our mission of safety, service, and stability. We see the growth of our team members as an investment, both in MoDOT's future and yours. If you're looking for diverse opportunities, challenging work, and a flexible environment, we want to talk to you about joining our winning team. MoDOT operates on shared values and your success in our organization depends on modeling these values. If you embrace these values, we welcome your application.

If you have questions about this position, please contact: [e-mail]

The state of Missouri is an equal opportunity employer. we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.