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Structural Engineering Internship

Alfred Benesch & Company
life insurance, parental leave, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, 401(k), retirement plan
United States, Illinois, Chicago
35 West Wacker Drive (Show on map)
Dec 23, 2025
Simply Put, A Great Place to Work

Benesch is a growing, multi-disciplined planning, engineering, and professional services firm. We enhance infrastructure and communities across the country - creating spaces and providing connections in ways that make a difference.

We pride ourselves on being nimble enough to remain responsive to client needs yet large enough to offer exceptional bench strength. As a member of our team, you'll have an opportunity to draw from those resources when you need them and, likewise, contribute your expertise when you have something to share.

At Benesch, we are looking for candidates with varied backgrounds and worldviews. We are committed to offering an inclusive work environment where everyone feels valued and respected. Statistics show that women and underrepresented groups are less likely to apply for a position if they don't meet 100% of the qualifications. If this statement resonates with you, don't be so hard on yourself-apply for the job!

Summer 2026 Structural Engineering Internship - Chicago, IL

Benesch's Summer 2026 Structural Engineering Internship offers an exceptional opportunity for motivated university students to gain hands-on experience in the transportation industry with an emphasis on bridge engineering. Interns will spend the summer working alongside some of the brightest minds in the field, contributing to challenging and impactful local transportation projects.


As an intern, you will

  • Train with experienced bridge engineers while participating in meaningful, real-world assignments in an office setting.
  • Collaborate across disciplines, gaining exposure to diverse engineering practices and cross-functional teams.
  • Build valuable professional connections that can support your long-term career growth.
  • Receive dedicated mentorship, with an experienced manager overseeing your training, assignments, and professional development, while providing continuous real-time feedback.


Location

This internship is based in our downtown Chicago office, with opportunities to work at the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT). We are currently seeking conversations with current university students interested in part-time internship opportunities for Summer 2026.


What We Offer

  • Opportunities to work on a variety of transportation projects including state and local transportation agencies
  • Real-world experience working in an engineering office with some field work
  • Meaningful on-the-job training from experienced engineers
  • Hands-on work assignments and/or research for various client projects


The Impact You Will Have

  • Collect and assimilate data
  • Perform calculations and computer aid design (CAD) drafting of project elements
  • Organize design files
  • Develop task deliverables in a complete and reviewable manner
  • Conduct research as necessary for projects
  • Perform clerical tasks as assigned
  • Assist in bridge inspections
  • Work independently under the guidance of a Project Engineer


Other important details

  • Internship will begin mid-June 2026 and end mid-August 2026 at our downtown Chicago office
  • Expected weekly hours are 32, worked anytime between 8 am and 5 pm.
  • Must have reliable transportation to and from downtown Chicago, IL
  • Position will work occasionally out of the CDOT office located at 2 N. LaSalle Street, 8th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602


What You Will Need

  • Must be a current civil engineering student enrolled at a minimum sophomore level
  • Resume to include all engineering courses taken to date
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • Ability to provide college transcripts
  • Familiarity with Google platform and/or Microsoft Office products
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal and written)
  • Excellent organizational and problem-solving skills
  • Conscientious and cooperative team player


Please email unofficial transcripts to Misael Lopez directly at milopez@benesch.com #LI-ML1

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in accordance with the State of Illinois Pay Transparency Act, Illinois Pay Transparency Law. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on numerous factors, including but not limited to individual education, qualifications, prior work experience, and geographic location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary, overtime, and bonuses.

Our benefits package is designed to take care of our employees and is compliant with the State of Illinois Paid Leave Act, Illinois Paid Leave Act. Benesch offers a generous paid time benefits plan that increases throughout your career plus several paid holidays. Our benefits include medical, dental, and vision benefits. We also include company-paid life insurance, short term, and long-term disability plans. Benesch offers a 401K plan and profit-sharing contributions to the 401K plan. From insurance and retirement plan to our wellness programs, we provide employee benefits that meet your wants and needs.

Illinois Pay Range
$18 $18 USD
Explore the Benefits of Working at Benesch!

At Benesch, we prioritize the health and wellness of our employees, understanding that their well-being is crucial for both personal and professional success. We offer a range of benefits for eligible employees, including insurance, retirement plans, and wellness programs. Our Total Rewards package is designed to support a healthy lifestyle and can be customized to meet the needs of our employees and their families. Click here to learn more about some of the benefits of working at Benesch!


Professional Development

  • Opportunities for management and leadership development at all levels, including executive coaching and leadership development for Team Leaders, Group Managers, Division Managers, and Executive Leaders
  • Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses
  • Ongoing professional development through resources like Red Vector, LinkedIn Learning, technical team meetings, knowledge-sharing training sessions
  • Personalized training and career development plans with your manager
  • Funding for training, committee work, professional organization memberships, and licenses/certifications
  • Support for active participation in professional organizations to foster leadership and community engagement


Retirement Benefits

  • Access to valuable retirement planning tools, education, and individual meetings with plan advisors at no charge
  • Potential for Benesch to contribute up to 9% of your gross compensation to your retirement plan (5% profit-sharing contribution to your 401(k) plan, regardless of your own contributions & 80% match on your contributions, up to a maximum company contribution of 4%)


Work/Life Balance

  • Flexible work schedules and hours, including work-from-home options (dependent on the role)
  • Generous Paid Time Benefits (PTB) that increase with your career
  • Immediate use of annual PTB; no accrual needed with the ability to bundle time-off plans for extended vacations or life events
  • Ten days of paid parental leave for birth, adoption, or foster placement


Employee Engagement

  • At Benesch, we encourage our team members to extend their impact beyond their core responsibilities. Join our employee resource groups and committees to enhance your work-life balance and contribute to our community-focused initiatives. We support a variety of programs including community service, student scholarships, and matching gift opportunities, reflecting our commitment to a vibrant and diverse workplace.


If you are based in California, we encourage you to read this important information for California residents linked here.

Benesch is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants in all protected groups, including veterans and individuals with disabilities, or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.

Know your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal

We will be accepting applications on an ongoing basis until a candidate is found.

Benesch is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with a physical disability or other impairment.

If you are limited in your ability or are unable to access Benesch's Careers website due to a physical disability or other impairment, you may request a reasonable accommodation by emailingTalentAcquisition@benesch.com. This option is only available to those in need of an accommodation due to a disability or other impairment. Please do not use this as an alternative method for general inquiries or status on applications, as you will not receive a response. Reasonable requests will be responded to as soon as possible on a case-by-case basis.

Recruiters or staffing agencies: Benesch is not obligated to compensate any external recruiter or search firm who presents a candidate, their resume, or profile to a Benesch employee without a recent, current, and fully executed agreement on file. Please direct all communications to the HR team at TalentAcquisition@Benesch.com

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