Civil Engineering Intern, Summer 2027

Company Description

At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For 65 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.

With over 1,500 professionals across 36 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths. Learn more at www.kpff.com.

KPFF Orange County

Our Orange County Civil team is looking for students to join us for our Summer 2027 Civil Engineering Internship Program in Newport Beach.

As an intern, you will become part of the project team and gain firsthand experience with the work that goes into planning, designing, and delivering civil engineering projects throughout Southern California and beyond. You will work alongside engineers on real projects while building your technical skills and learning how civil engineering consulting works from project start through design and construction.

Our team works with both private and public-sector clients across a broad range of markets, including commercial, retail, mixed-use, hospitality, multifamily housing, parks and recreation, healthcare, K-12 and higher education, military, transportation, aviation, and public agency projects.

Our civil engineering services are just as varied. Depending on the project, our work may include site assessment and due diligence, master planning, entitlement, grading and drainage design, hydrology, stormwater quality design, utility improvements, street improvement plans, public utilities, technical studies, and project management.

We also place a strong emphasis on learning and mentorship. Interns have opportunities to learn through day-to-day collaboration with our engineers, educational workshops, open civil forums, and other professional development opportunities. Learn more about our educational philosophy, Forefront, and KPFF's commitment to advancing the engineering profession.

Job Description

What You'll Experience

As a Civil Engineering Intern, you will have the opportunity to apply what you are learning in school to real engineering challenges while gaining exposure to multiple aspects of civil design and consulting.

During your internship, you may:

• Contribute to active projects: Assist with the design, analysis, and development of civil engineering projects.
• Build your technical skills: Gain hands-on experience with AutoCAD, Civil 3D, calculations, plans, and other engineering tools.
• Learn from experienced engineers: Work directly with engineers and project teams who will provide guidance, feedback, and mentorship.
• See projects beyond the drawings: Participate in site observations and fieldwork to better understand how designs translate into the built environment.
• Collaborate with the team: Participate in project discussions, coordination, and problem-solving alongside engineers at different stages of their careers.
• Learn the consulting side of engineering: Gain exposure to project documentation, client needs, multidisciplinary coordination, and the decisions that shape a project.

Our goal is for you to finish the summer with a stronger understanding of civil engineering consulting, meaningful project experience, and a clearer picture of the type of work you may want to pursue after graduation.

Qualifications

Requirements

• Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited university or college. Undergraduate candidates should have completed at least two years of engineering coursework and be entering their junior year or beyond by Summer 2027.
• Strong interest in pursuing a career in civil engineering consulting and learning through exposure to a variety of project types.
• Ability to commit to a full-time summer internship, approximately 40 hours per week, beginning in late May or June and continuing through early to mid-August. Exact dates may vary based on academic calendars.
• Ability to work onsite five days per week in our Newport Beach office.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a collaborative team.
• Strong time management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word.
• Exposure to AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or other engineering software through coursework or previous experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous engineering internship, relevant work experience, or project-based engineering experience.
• Coursework in water resources, hydrology, hydraulics, fluid mechanics, or related civil engineering topics.

Additional Information

Application Instructions

Please upload your cover letter and unofficial transcripts under “Additional Attachments” on page 2 of the application.

Your cover letter should briefly address what interests you about civil engineering consulting and why you are interested in the opportunity to intern with KPFF's Orange County Civil team in Newport Beach.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Duties are typically performed in a normal office environment while sitting at a desk or computer workstation.
• Ability to actively work on a computer for several hours per day and communicate by telephone or virtual meeting platforms.
• May occasionally need to lift items weighing up to 15 pounds.
• This is a full-time, in-person internship based in our Newport Beach office. Interns are expected to work approximately 40 hours per week, onsite five days per week, with flexible work hours between 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Culture

Join KPFF for a career adventure that celebrates your expertise and fuels your development. Here, autonomy and innovation converge, empowering you to tackle complex challenges. Our culture fosters teamwork, ownership, and shared values, ensuring your accomplishments are celebrated and your career trajectory is in your hands. At KPFF, we're not just coworkers; we're a vibrant community fueled by collaborative creativity, offering you the stage to leave a lasting mark on pioneering projects.

Compensation

The salary for this role is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, and skills. The expected rate for a qualified candidate is $28.50 per hour.

Work Authorization: This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship or transfer. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer-sponsored visa support now or in the future.

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KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.