Programmer Internship Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

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AECOM is seeking a Civil Engineer to join our roadway design team out of Columbia, SC which supports transportation infrastructure projects across South Carolina. The ideal candidate will be eager to work with roadway and highway design principles, gain additional familiarity with SCDOT design standards while working alongside senior engineers to produce roadway plans and deliverables for state and local projects.

This position offers an excellent opportunity for hands-on experience with roadway design, plan production, and exposure to all phases of transportation projects - from concept through construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the design and preparation of roadway construction plans including alignments, profiles, cross-sections, and quantity summaries.

• Support senior engineers in developing right-of-way (ROW) plans, maintenance of traffic (MOT) layouts, and cost estimates.

• Apply SCDOT roadway design standards, manuals, and plan preparation procedures.

• Draft and revise plan sheets using MicroStation and OpenRoads Designer (or Civil 3D, as applicable).

• Perform basic engineering calculations for horizontal and vertical geometry, drainage, and pavement design.

• Support the coordination of utilities, SUE (Subsurface Utility Engineering), and other design disciplines.

• Participate in field reviews, data collection, and coordination meetings with senior engineers and project stakeholders.

• Maintain organized project files and documentation following company and SCDOT QA/QC procedures.

• Collaboration with multi-disciplinary teams including drainage, traffic, and structures.

Working Conditions & Environment

• Office-based position with occasional field visits or site observations.

• Standard 40-hour work week.

Career Development & Growth

This position provides a structured opportunity for professional growth within AECOM's Carolinas Transportation team under the mentorship of experienced roadway engineers and project managers. The Civil Engineer will continue developing technical proficiency in roadway design, SCDOT standards, and transportation project delivery while increasing responsibility in plan development and coordination tasks.

Engineers in this role will gain hands-on experience across multiple project phases, including preliminary design, permitting support, final plan production, and construction coordination. Emphasis is placed on expanding independent design capabilities, strengthening technical judgment, and developing client and stakeholder communication skills.

AECOM supports continued professional development and encourages progression toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure through mentorship, technical training, and exposure to increasingly complex transportation projects.

Long-term growth opportunities within the South Carolina Transportation group may include advancement into Senior Designer/Technical Lead or Project Manager roles, contributing to multidisciplinary project delivery, mentoring junior staff, and supporting higher-profile roadway and highway infrastructure projects across South Carolina and the Southeast.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering plus 2 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of education and/or experience

• Basic understanding of civil design principles, roadway geometry, and CAD drafting

• EIT certification (or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire)

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience on SCDOT or other DOT roadway design projects

• Familiarity with SCDOT Design Manual, Plan Preparation Guide, and Standard Drawings

• Experience with MicroStation or AutoCAD Civil 3D in an academic or professional setting

• Coursework or exposure to transportation engineering, highway design, and/or traffic engineering

• 2+ years of related roadway or transportation design experience via internship, co-op or full-time work experience

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook)

• Interest in learning MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, and SCDOT plan preparation standards

• Strong communication, problem-solving, and teamwork skills

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.
• Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you'll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you've always envisioned. Here, you'll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community-where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.