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General Contractor Internship Jobs in California

Matt Construction

Project Engineer

Santa Fe Springs, CA · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

MATT Construction, the General Contractor that built such iconic structures as The Broad Museum and ... Construction internship or other related construction work experience preferred * General knowledge ...

Skanska USA

Quality Manager

San Jose, CA

... internship experience may be acceptable on a case-by-case basis) with a general contractor/trade contractor/construction management/inspections firm. 2+ years practical experience performing ...

Skanska USA

Quality Manager

San Jose, CA · On-site

... internship experience may be acceptable on a case-by-case basis) with a general contractor/trade contractor/construction management/inspections firm. • 2+ years practical experience performing ...

MATT Construction

Senior Project Engineer

Santa Fe Springs, CA · On-site

$100K - $130K/yr

Description MATT Construction, the General Contractor that built such iconic structures as The ... Recruiting and mentoring younger project engineers and interns Requirements * Bachelor's Degree in ...

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General Contractor Internship information

What is a general contractor internship?

General Contractor Internships are temporary positions designed for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on experience in the construction industry. Interns work under the supervision of licensed general contractors, assisting with project management, site supervision, budgeting, and coordination of subcontractors. This role provides valuable exposure to the day-to-day operations of construction projects and helps interns develop essential skills needed for a future career in construction management.

What are the typical responsibilities of a general contractor intern?

As a General Contractor Intern, you can expect to assist with project coordination, site supervision, and communication between subcontractors and clients. Your daily tasks may include attending project meetings, reviewing blueprints, conducting site visits to monitor progress, and helping to ensure safety compliance. Interns often gain hands-on experience by shadowing experienced contractors, learning about budgeting, scheduling, and problem-solving on active job sites. This role offers a valuable opportunity to understand the workflow of construction projects and develop professional relationships within the industry.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a general contractor intern?

To thrive as a General Contractor Intern, you need a basic understanding of construction processes, project management principles, and safety regulations, often supported by coursework in construction management or a related field. Familiarity with project scheduling software, blueprint reading, and tools like Microsoft Project or Procore is typically required. Strong communication, teamwork, and organizational skills help interns interact effectively with subcontractors, clients, and supervisors. These skills and qualities are vital for ensuring that construction projects run smoothly, safely, and on schedule.

What is the difference between General Contractor Internship vs Construction Management Internship?

AspectGeneral Contractor InternshipConstruction Management Internship
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or ongoing college coursework, some technical skillsSimilar; often pursuing construction management or related degree
Work EnvironmentOn-site construction projects, job sitesOffice-based planning with site visits
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction firms, general contracting companiesConstruction firms, project management firms

Both internships prepare candidates for careers in construction, focusing on different aspects: General Contractor Internships emphasize on-site project execution, while Construction Management Internships lean towards planning and coordination. They share similar credentials and work environments, making them closely related pathways into the construction industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of General Contractor jobs in California?

The most popular types of General Contractor jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to General Contractor Internship jobs in California?

For General Contractor Internship jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching General Contractor Internship jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for General Contractor Internship jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for General Contractor Internship jobs?

Cities in California with the most General Contractor Internship job openings:

General Contractor Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various General Contractor Internship job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution.

Construction and Engineering Internship

Schnabel

Walnut Creek, CA

$19 - $24.75/hr

Internship

Re-posted 27 days ago

Job description

Schnabel is a leader in specialty design-build underground construction. We are looking for a Construction and Engineering Intern to provide support for our operations and preconstruction teams during the summer. The internship can also be done as a co-op during the spring or fall semester. The main responsibility of this role is to assist the project team with quality control and project oversight. You will have exposure to our unique designs, preconstruction, and active construction management. Schnabel is a subcontractor so you will also have exposure to general contractors and government agencies that we work with.

Schnabel was founded in 1959 in Washington DC and has grown to become one of the nation’s top geostructural contractors. We are family owned and operated with a focus on safety, quality of work, and growth. With a national footprint it’s sometimes difficult to maintain the small company feel, but we’ve been successful in preserving that part of our culture.

This role reports directly to a Schnabel Engineer. You will also have a mentor that will dedicate their time to your development and to answer any questions that come up during your internship. During the summer you will also participate in a soft skills training, several webinars, and an end of summer project report detailing everything you’ve learned.

Our typical scope of work includes installation of soldier piles, micropiles, lagging, walers, tiebacks, and braces for support of excavation projects. We also take on challenging projects with underpinning, grouting, tunneling, and unique structural support as part of our scope. Candidates who have direct construction experience and familiarity with our company’s traditional scope of work are preferred.

Job Responsibilities

  • Support foreman / superintendent and project manager with any onsite paperwork and engineering
  • Manage the submittal process for your assigned projects
  • Engineering calculations
  • Field data collection and entering into excel spreadsheets
  • Quantity take-offs and preconstruction scope review

Qualifications

  • Working towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or another degree with applicable course content
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills
  • Computer literacy and experience with Microsoft Office products, such as excel, word, and outlook
  • Basic understanding of AutoCAD
  • Basic understanding of Surveying
  • Ability to work in both the field and the office
  • Must have vehicle and driver’s license
  • Eligible to work in the United States

Schnabel is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is fully committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran or military status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws. We are an E-Verify employer.

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