Balfour Beatty
California Project Engineer Intern - Summer 2026
Summary
At Balfour Beatty in California, we are seeking construction interns. We are looking for candidates who are interested in a hands-on internship experience with a commercial construction company. If you have a passion for what you do, a strong drive to achieve results, the ability to solve problems creatively, and a dedication to client service and relationship management, we invite you to join us.
Salary Range
$22.00 - $29.00 an hour
Essential Functions
- Learn about managing the project budget by controlling expenditures, coordinating owner and subcontractor billings, identifying work not covered by subcontractor, and ensuring successful office support related to overall cost and schedule.
- Learn about Safety and Quality Control programs and how to coordinate actions to address problems.
- Learn about company procedures, the correspondence process and handling, etc.
- Learn how to review and process submittal data and shop drawings.
- Understand how to coordinate submittals, deliveries, etc. that affect the project schedule with the Superintendent.
- Monitor/review weekly and monthly status reports and weekly subcontractor meeting minutes, change orders, etc. to understand process.
- Understand change documents and change proposal requests for price review.
- May join other team members at meetings with architect and owner representatives to understand information required by owner, necessary progress reports and summaries, and how action plans from owner/architect meetings address all outstanding issues related to the project.
- Learn how changes, clarifications, directives, RFIs, etc. are updated on “as-built” plans and coordinated with company supervision and subcontractors/suppliers.
- Learn how to maintain RFI logs and change request log.
Qualifications
- Currently enrolled in a Construction Management , Engineering, or related education program
- Prior internships or work experience helpful but not required.
- Able to develop new skills and knowledge quickly.
- Able to work 40 hours a week for the duration of the 12-week program
- Able to learn software systems including but not limited to Microsoft Office suite, Procore, Bluebeam.
- Participate in training, seminars, task team meetings, etc.
- Demonstrate expanding knowledge of construction details about miscellaneous metals, casework, doors, specialties, radiation protection, etc.
- Possess good self-organizational and management skills, and strong verbal and written communication skills.
About us
Balfour Beatty US is an industry-leading provider of general contracting, at-risk construction management and design-build services for public and private sector clients across the nation. Performing heavy civil and vertical construction, our teams build the unique structures and infrastructure that play an important role in how people live, work, learn and play in our communities. Our teammates have an instinctive passion for innovating that is fueled by a relentless curiosity, a drive to employ lean practices and processes and the determination to find a better way. Through Zero Harm®, we are challenging the construction industry’s assumptions about safety. We believe that no level of harm should come to anyone as a result of our business.
Consistently ranked among the nation’s largest building contractors by Engineering News-Record, our US business is a subsidiary of London-based Balfour Beatty plc (LSE: BBY).
Balfour Beatty is an equal opportunity employer that recognizes the value of a diverse workforce. All qualified individuals will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other criteria protected by federal, state or local law.
Accessibility:
Phone: (214) 468-4700
Email:BBTalent@balfourbeattyus.com
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
View your Equal Employment Opportunity rights under the law:
“Know Your Rights” PosterPay Transparency Notice
Freqently Asked Questions
Mastering software like Procore, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office Suite is crucial for a California Project Engineer Intern. Additionally, understanding construction budget management, submittal processing, and safety protocols enhances practical expertise essential for success in this hands-on internship.
In Imperial Beach, CA, a Project Engineer Intern often navigates coastal project challenges like humidity impacts on materials and scheduling around local weather. Interaction with regional subcontractors and adherence to California’s strict safety regulations also shape a distinct daily workflow compared to other areas.
Interns in this role at Balfour Beatty can anticipate hourly wages ranging from $22 to $29, reflecting local market standards. Pay varies with experience and skill proficiency but aligns well with California’s competitive construction internship landscape.
San Diego’s construction sector is growing, yet internships like those at Balfour Beatty remain selective. Candidates with hands-on experience, software literacy, and adaptability stand out amid rising demand for skilled interns in this vibrant regional market.
This internship blends technical construction management with client relationship skills, offering exposure to real project budgets, change orders, and site coordination. It’s an invaluable springboard into commercial construction, unlike purely design-focused engineering internships.
Balfour Beatty emphasizes immersive learning through training sessions, seminars, and collaborative meetings. Interns gain direct insights into construction processes, safety programs, and project documentation, fostering both technical competence and professional communication.
While prior certifications aren’t mandatory, familiarity with construction management principles and software tools like Procore improves candidacy. Enrolling in relevant education programs and demonstrating quick skill acquisition aligns well with Balfour Beatty’s expectations.
Managing submittals, deliveries, and change proposals requires constant communication and adaptability. Interns must anticipate delays from subcontractors or supply chain issues, ensuring project timelines stay on track despite dynamic construction environments.
The company fosters a safety-first mindset and innovation-driven culture, encouraging interns to actively participate in zero harm® initiatives and lean practices. This environment cultivates responsibility and creative problem-solving essential for budding construction engineers.
Interns regularly monitor project budgets, assist with submittal reviews, maintain RFI logs, and collaborate in meetings with architects and owners. These activities provide hands-on exposure to project coordination and cost control within commercial construction settings.
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