Summer Design Intern - St. Louis District

State-of-Missour; Chesterfield (MO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

State of Missouri, MoDOT's St. Louis District Office, is seeking a highway designer student/early-career professional to contribute to the design of highway projects in the Chesterfield area. You will perform computations, prepare detailed plans, and support environmental and staging considerations.

The role emphasizes use of engineering software and CADD, collaboration with surveyors, and adherence to design standards. Strong communication and analytical skills are valued.

Qualifications

• Enrolled in ABET-accredited bachelor’s or post-bachelor’s program.
• Must maintain GPA 2.0 or higher out of 4.0.
• Must have completed at least 30 credit hours.

Responsibilities

• Designs projects including bridge replacements and resurfacing using engineering software and prepares reports.
• Determines highway design features, geometrics, profiles, earthwork, signals and uses CADD for computations.
• Assists in developing preliminary to final plans for complex projects, ensuring compliance with standards.
• Computes quantities and estimates project costs across all stages from design to final.
• Collaborates with a Professional Land Surveyor to plot land lines and determine easements.
• Addresses public concerns via written, phone or email communications and meetings.
• Determines grades, alignments, earthwork quantities, elevations and bridges per standards.
• Designs and configures engineering software applications for department use.
• Develops end-user guidance for engineering software and supports users with issues.
• Performs lead worker duties, mentoring staff and providing performance input to supervisor.
• Performs other responsibilities as required.

Skills

Engineering software

CADD

Plan preparation

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

GPA 2.0 or higher

30 credit hours completed

Tools

CADD software

Job description

Posting closes 12/31/2026

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

Job Location: St. Louis District Office - 1590 Woodlake Drive, Chesterfield, MO 63017

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.

All you need for success:

Minimum Qualifications

• 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 upon 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.