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Structural Design Intern Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

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Structural Design Intern information

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How much do structural design intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for structural design intern in Chicago, IL is $19.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $22.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What kinds of projects and responsibilities can a Structural Design Intern expect during their internship?

As a Structural Design Intern, you can expect to work on a variety of projects such as assisting with drafting plans, performing basic structural calculations, and supporting the preparation of design documents. Interns often collaborate closely with experienced engineers and other interns, attending team meetings and site visits to gain practical exposure. You'll likely use industry-standard software like AutoCAD or Revit and may contribute to project research, material selection, and compliance checks. This hands-on experience helps build a strong foundation for understanding real-world structural engineering challenges and workflows.

Can you make $500,000 as a civil engineer?

As a civil engineer, earning $500,000 annually is possible but typically requires advanced experience, specialized skills, management roles, or working on large-scale projects. Most civil engineers earn a median salary significantly lower, with higher earnings often found in senior positions or consulting roles. Interns and entry-level engineers usually earn much less during early career stages.

What does a Structural Design Intern do?

A Structural Design Intern assists engineers and architects in designing and analyzing building structures to ensure they are safe and stable. Their responsibilities often include creating technical drawings, performing calculations, and helping with project documentation. Interns may use software tools like AutoCAD or Revit to model structures and support the team with site visits or project coordination. The position provides hands-on experience in the field of structural engineering and helps students apply classroom knowledge to real-world projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Structural Design Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Structural Design Intern, you typically need a solid understanding of engineering principles, coursework in structural analysis, and progress toward a civil or structural engineering degree. Familiarity with CAD software (such as AutoCAD or Revit), structural analysis tools (like SAP2000 or ETABS), and basic knowledge of building codes is frequently required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and eagerness to learn are the soft skills that help interns excel in this role. These skills ensure accurate design support, effective collaboration with engineering teams, and a strong foundation for future career growth.

What can I do as a structural designer?

As a structural design intern, you assist in creating and analyzing structural systems for buildings and infrastructure, using engineering principles and design software. You may collaborate with engineers and architects, learn to interpret blueprints, and gain experience in structural analysis, drafting, and code compliance. This role helps develop skills necessary for a career in structural engineering and design.

Is AI replacing structural engineers?

AI is not replacing structural engineers but is increasingly used to assist in tasks such as analysis, design optimization, and data management. Structural design interns and engineers leverage AI tools to improve efficiency and accuracy, but human expertise remains essential for complex decision-making and oversight.

What is the difference between Structural Design Intern vs Structural Engineer?

AspectStructural Design InternStructural Engineer
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in civil or structural engineeringLicensed professional engineer (PE) often required
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, assisting with design tasks under supervisionFull-time professional role, responsible for project design and analysis
ResponsibilitiesSupporting design calculations, drafting, researchLeading design projects, client communication, project management

The main difference between a Structural Design Intern and a Structural Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and licensure. Interns are in training, assisting with tasks, while engineers are fully responsible for project execution and hold professional licensure.

What are the most commonly searched types of Structural Design jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Structural Design jobs in Chicago, IL are:

SUPERVISORY GENERAL ENGINEER/ARCHITECT

USAJOBS - Search

Great Lakes, IL โ€ข On-site

$118K/yr

Other

Posted 28 days ago


Job description

You will serve as a Supervisory General Engineer/Architect, also known as the Supervisory Construction Manager, in Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command Mid-Atlantic, at the Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (ROICC) office in Great Lakes.Qualifications:Selective Placement Factor (SPF): This position has an SPF which is current registration as a Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) in any state, the District of Columbia, Guam or Puerto Rico. Do you meet this requirement? Note - if you respond "YES", you must provide a copy of your current registration with your application. The registration must show the date of currency or additional documentation must be provided from the registration agency showing the dates the registration is current. A copy of a wall certificate that does not show current registration status will not serve to verify you meet this requirement.
In addition to the Basic Requirements for this position, your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-12 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following: 1) Serving as a member/lead and/or supervisor of a team of engineers/architects and technicians performing a full range of multidisciplinary engineering responsibilities related to military construction (MILCON and construction quality assurance; 2) Utilizing and researching knowledge of advanced concepts, principles, and practices in engineering/architecture to advise in the area of construction practices and techniques in the development of construction project specifications or feasibility considerations; 3) Establishing and monitoring site and project specific procedures and submission of reports aimed at expediting the work of construction contractors; 4) Assisting in and/or seeking out solutions to problems involving the areas of all disciplines of engineering and project financing which are the result of design errors, unforeseen conditions, or changes; and 5) Evaluating construction progress and safe performance of contracted work during site visits.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website:
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/#url=List-by-Occupational-Series
https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/architecture-series-0808/ and https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual: Applicants must possess:

0808 ARCHITECT:
Degree: architecture; or related field that included 60 semester hours of course work in architecture or related disciplines of which at least (1) 30 semester hours were in architectural design, and (2) 6 semester hours were in each of the following: structural technology, properties of materials and methods of construction, and environmental control systems.
OR
Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the arts and sciences underlying professional architecture, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the architectural principles, methods, and techniques and their applications to the design and construction or improvement of buildings.
TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED.
0801 GENERAL ENGINEER:
Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration For more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org
OR
Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html.
OR
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above)
OR
Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily, there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.


TRANSCRIPTS MUST BE SUBMITTED.Employment Type: OTHER