Engineering Operations Intern Jobs in Detroit, MI

Project Engineer Intern

13 Weeks. Four Rotations. Every Side of the Build.

Ready for a Purpose-Built Summer?

At O’Brien Construction, we build more than buildings. We build places where people live, work, and communities grow.

For over 60 years, O’Brien Construction has worked to enhance the quality of our communities as a Construction Manager and General Contractor. Our work includes multi-family housing, senior living, affordable housing, historic renovations, municipal, and commercial projects — projects that make a real impact in the communities we serve. That’s what it means to be Purpose Built.

And we believe an internship should be about more than spending a summer watching from the sidelines.

The Project Engineer Internship

As a Project Engineer Intern, you’ll get hands-on exposure to the construction process while working alongside O’Brien’s Superintendents, Project Engineers, Project Managers, and Estimators. You’ll experience both the field and office sides of construction and see how a project moves from estimating and preconstruction through active construction, completion, and close-out.

This isn’t an internship where you’ll spend the entire summer parked in one department. You’ll rotate through four key areas of the construction process, learning how each role contributes to a successful project and how the teams work together from start to finish.

Superintendent | Project Engineer | Project Manager | Estimator

During the final week of the program, interns bring everything together through a closing presentation highlighting what they learned throughout the summer.

What You’ll Experience

• Review project drawings, specifications, submittals, and other project documents.
• Assist with project schedules, progress tracking, and Look Ahead schedules.
• Spend time in the field observing construction activities, site conditions, and project progress.
• Help document field observations, project updates, and potential issues.
• Support communication and coordination with project team members, architects, and engineers.
• Assist with bid solicitation and subcontractor coverage.
• Perform quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications under the direction of the Estimator.
• Help prepare scope sheets, bid comparisons, estimates, budgets, and proposal packages.
• Participate in pre-bid site visits, project meetings, and other real-world construction activities.
• Learn how safety, quality, schedule, cost, and teamwork come together to successfully deliver a project.

What We’re Looking For

You don’t need to arrive knowing everything about construction. That’s what the internship is for. We’re looking for someone who brings:

• Current enrollment in a Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or related academic program.
• High school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire.
• A strong interest in construction and a desire to learn and grow.
• A 100% commitment to safety.
• Initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to ask questions.
• Strong problem-solving skills and an adaptable, flexible approach.
• Good organization and attention to detail.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Integrity, self-motivation, and a willingness to contribute as part of a team.

Internship Environment & Structure

This is a temporary, hourly, non-exempt internship position. Interns will spend time in both field and office environments, with much of the Operations experience taking place directly on an active construction site. Construction sites are active environments and may include changing weather conditions, noise, and high levels of activity. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided and required while on the job site.

The hourly pay rate is based on experience, skills, and abilities and is established at the time of hire.

Why O’Brien?

Building a career is a lot like building anything else. It takes the right plan, the right team, and the right opportunities. At O’Brien, you’ll have the chance to do real work, learn from experienced construction professionals, and see firsthand how projects come together from start to finish.

Most importantly, you’ll work on projects you can be proud of. Our projects help strengthen the communities where we live and work.

Come build something that matters.

The Recruiting Process

Our recruiting process is designed to be a two-way evaluation so both O’Brien and the candidate can make the best decision. The process may include phone and/or in-person interviews, candidate assessments, and a pre-employment background check and drug test.

O’Brien Construction Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

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