Bridge Design Internship

Structural/Bridge Design Intern

Benesch is seeking a motivated Structural/Bridge Engineering Intern to join our Railroad team. This role will involve applying structural engineering techniques to support the design and construction of bridges, retaining walls, culverts, and other structures for highway, rail, and transit clients. As an intern, you will have the chance to collaborate on real-world railway and transit projects, gaining hands-on experience in design, development, and project execution. You will support senior engineers, contribute to design processes, and play an integral role in innovative transportation solutions.

This position offers a hybrid work schedule with the flexibility to work in any of our Structural Bridge offices (Chicago, IL; Jacksonville, FL; Omaha, NE; Fort-Worth, TX; Cincinnati, OH; Portland, ME) alongside the Railroad-Bridge team. This allows you to benefit from mentorship by professionals in the office during your internship at Benesch!

Benesch's Railroad Division is made up of highly skilled rail professionals, many of whom are former employees of operating railroads. This firsthand experience working on designing and maintaining active rail systems uniquely equips our team to develop innovative solutions to a wide variety of rail projects.

The Impact You Will Have

• Assist in structural analysis and design for bridges, retaining walls, and culverts.
• Perform AASHTO and AREMA bridge design calculations.
• Develop geometric layouts, structural details, and load rating calculations.
• Contribute to CADD plan production and quantity development using specialized software (e.g., LARSA, MathCAD, LEAPBridge, LPile, FB MultiPier, MicroStation).
• Support occasional bridge inspections for in-service or construction projects.
• Collaborate with Licensed Structural and Professional Engineers on local and national projects.

What You Will Need

• Pursuing your BS in Civil or Structural Engineering or in a related engineering curriculum required
• Knowledge of structural analysis software and CAD design tools.
• Interest in bridge structures is preferred.
• Ability to perform complex analysis and design
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and Microsoft Office skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in accordance with the State of Illinois Pay Transparency Act. 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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.