The Opportunity
We are seeking a Civil Engineering Intern to join our San Luis Obispo office. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated student or recent graduate to gain hands-on experience supporting a variety of federal, municipal, and private development projects.
You’ll assist with the design of stormwater systems, grading, multiuse paths, and green/complete streets, as well as help with water and sewer pipelines, pump stations, and other infrastructure. This internship offers meaningful exposure to civil design and the chance to learn from experienced engineers and project managers in a collaborative environment.
Occasional fieldwork or survey/mapping support may be part of the role.
Why Tetra Tech
At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world’s most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For over 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.
Your Impact
Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential – join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.
Position Summary
Tetra Tech is seeking a Civil Engineering Intern to support civil infrastructure projects in the San Luis Obispo office. This role provides hands-on experience assisting with civil engineering design, documentation, and project support activities across municipal, federal, and private sector projects. The intern will work under the supervision of licensed engineers and project managers in a collaborative professional environment while developing technical and analytical skills.
Essential Functions
Assist with civil engineering design support tasks related to grading, drainage, stormwater, and site infrastructure
Support preparation of construction drawings and figures using AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar software
Assist with water distribution and sanitary sewer design support activities
Perform basic engineering calculations, data entry, and analysis under supervision
Support preparation of technical memoranda, reports, and cost estimates
Assist with project documentation and coordination efforts
Participate in field activities, survey, or mapping tasks as required
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to support project deliverables
Follow established engineering procedures, quality standards, and safety policies
Required Qualifications
Pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline
Junior or senior academic standing, or recent graduate status
Coursework exposure to civil engineering fundamentals
Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D or similar CAD software through coursework or academic projects
Basic proficiency in Microsoft Word and Excel
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team
Preferred Qualifications
Prior internship, co-op, or academic project experience related to civil engineering
Interest in municipal infrastructure, transportation, stormwater, or water resources projects
Exposure to hydrology or hydraulic concepts or modeling tools
Experience assisting with fieldwork or site investigations
Physical Requirements
Ability to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation
Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while working at a computer workstation
Ability to occasionally move or transport materials weighing up to 25 pounds with or without assistance
Ability to perform repetitive motions such as keyboarding and mouse use
Work Environment / Environmental Factors
Primarily office-based work environment using standard office equipment
Occasional work at project or field sites, which may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, uneven terrain, noise, or dust
Field assignments may require use of personal protective equipment (PPE) in accordance with safety requirements
Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role
Life at Tetra Tech:
The perks of working at Tetra Tech include:
Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits.Merit-based financial rewards.Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance.Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees.Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth.About Tetra Tech:
Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.
Tetra Tech is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.
We invite applications from all interested parties.
Explore our open positions at https://www.tetratech.com/careers. Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities:
LinkedIn: @TetraTechCareers
Additional Information Organization: 200 IEW