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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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$9

$19

$37

How much do structural design intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 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.

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 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:

Interdisciplinary- Architect/Engineer Manager

US Department of the Army

Chicago, IL

$106K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


United States Army rating

6.2

Company rating: 6.2 out of 10

Based on 489 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

44th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

About the Position: Serves as the Architect Engineer Management Subject Matter Expert for highly complex and comprehensive design projects in Regional inland Nav Design Production Center. These projects are often politically sensitive, time critical and technically complex. This position functions as the primary senior A/E Manager who is called on for opinions and advice on any matter within or touching these complex projects.
Location selection to be confirmed after tentative selection. Qualifications:Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education/experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
You must meet the basic education requirement in this section and the experience in the education section.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR ARCHITECT:
Bachelor's degree (or higher) in architecture, or a 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. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
A combination of education and 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. I have a degree in architectural engineering which provided the knowledge, skills, and abilities substantially equivalent to those provided in the courses specified in A above. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Have a combination of education and 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. I have one year of experience working in an architect's office or in architectural work, which provided me with a thorough knowledge of the fundamental principles and theories of professional architecture, for each year short of graduation from a program of study in architecture. In the absence of college courses, I have five years of such experience. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
BASIC EDUCATION REQUIREMENT FOR ENGINEER:
Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) 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. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
A combination of education and experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. I am currently registered as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensed 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 example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts, AND proof of registration as an Engineer Intern (EI) or Engineer in Training (EIT) or copy of your Professional Engineer (PE) license.)
OR
Have a combination of education and experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. I have 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, or Puerto Rico. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts, AND proof of passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination or other written test required for professional registration.)
OR
Have a combination of education and experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. I have successfully completed at least 60 semester hours or 90 quarter hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program. (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)
OR
Have a combination of education and experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. I have successfully completed 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, and have at least 1 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. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.) (Note: You must attach a copy of your transcripts.)Education:GS-13 Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes performing and coordinating A/E design for civil works projects and engineering; providing technical input and oversight for A/E service contracts including the management of quality assurance of A/E deliverables; performing analysis and evaluates designs and service contracts to ensure quality assurance and organizing and directing all Engineering personnel, A/E contract personnel, outside consultants, outside agencies, and other A/E design projects.; communicating to the team the assignments, problems to be solved, actionable events, budget, milestones, and/or program issues under review, and deadlines and time frames for completion. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For this job, you must meet the qualification requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.Employment Type: OTHER

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Industry

National security, health care and social assistance, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

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