Project Engineer Intern
13 Weeks. Four Rotations. Every Side of the Build.
Ready for a Purpose-Built Summer?
At O’Brien Construction, we build more than buildings. We build places where people live, work, and communities grow.
For over 60 years, O’Brien Construction has worked to enhance the quality of our communities as a Construction Manager and General Contractor. Our work includes multi-family housing, senior living, affordable housing, historic renovations, municipal, and commercial projects — projects that make a real impact in the communities we serve. That’s what it means to be Purpose Built.
And we believe an internship should be about more than spending a summer watching from the sidelines.
The Project Engineer Internship
As a Project Engineer Intern, you’ll get hands-on exposure to the construction process while working alongside O’Brien’s Superintendents, Project Engineers, Project Managers, and Estimators. You’ll experience both the field and office sides of construction and see how a project moves from estimating and preconstruction through active construction, completion, and close-out.
This isn’t an internship where you’ll spend the entire summer parked in one department. You’ll rotate through four key areas of the construction process, learning how each role contributes to a successful project and how the teams work together from start to finish.
Superintendent | Project Engineer | Project Manager | Estimator
During the final week of the program, interns bring everything together through a closing presentation highlighting what they learned throughout the summer.
What You’ll Experience
- Review project drawings, specifications, submittals, and other project documents.
- Assist with project schedules, progress tracking, and Look Ahead schedules.
- Spend time in the field observing construction activities, site conditions, and project progress.
- Help document field observations, project updates, and potential issues.
- Support communication and coordination with project team members, architects, and engineers.
- Assist with bid solicitation and subcontractor coverage.
- Perform quantity takeoffs from drawings and specifications under the direction of the Estimator.
- Help prepare scope sheets, bid comparisons, estimates, budgets, and proposal packages.
- Participate in pre-bid site visits, project meetings, and other real-world construction activities.
- Learn how safety, quality, schedule, cost, and teamwork come together to successfully deliver a project.
What We’re Looking For
You don’t need to arrive knowing everything about construction. That’s what the internship is for. We’re looking for someone who brings:
- Current enrollment in a Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or related academic program.
- High school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire.
- A strong interest in construction and a desire to learn and grow.
- A 100% commitment to safety.
- Initiative, curiosity, and a willingness to ask questions.
- Strong problem-solving skills and an adaptable, flexible approach.
- Good organization and attention to detail.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Integrity, self-motivation, and a willingness to contribute as part of a team.
Internship Environment & Structure
This is a temporary, hourly, non-exempt internship position. Interns will spend time in both field and office environments, with much of the Operations experience taking place directly on an active construction site. Construction sites are active environments and may include changing weather conditions, noise, and high levels of activity. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is provided and required while on the job site.
The hourly pay rate is based on experience, skills, and abilities and is established at the time of hire.
Why O’Brien?
Building a career is a lot like building anything else. It takes the right plan, the right team, and the right opportunities. At O’Brien, you’ll have the chance to do real work, learn from experienced construction professionals, and see firsthand how projects come together from start to finish.
Most importantly, you’ll work on projects you can be proud of. Our projects help strengthen the communities where we live and work.
Come build something that matters.
The Recruiting Process
Our recruiting process is designed to be a two-way evaluation so both O’Brien and the candidate can make the best decision. The process may include phone and/or in-person interviews, candidate assessments, and a pre-employment background check and drug test.
O’Brien Construction Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
#OBCJ
Skills Required
- Currently enrolled in a Construction Management, Engineering, Architecture, Business, or related academic program
- High school diploma or equivalent at the time of hire
- Strong interest in construction and desire to learn and grow
- Commitment to safety
- Initiative, curiosity, and willingness to ask questions
- Strong problem-solving skills and adaptable, flexible approach
- Good organization and attention to detail
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Integrity, self-motivation, and willingness to contribute as part of a team
What We Do
Common Sail Investment Group (CSIG) is a privately owned and operated holding company based in Brighton, Michigan. Our philosophy of making the most out of every minute of every day, is infused throughout our operations. In fact, our passion for what we do is noticeable in everything we do. We serve and support our businesses with a unique shared services model that allows them to focus on their core business by centralizing all other necessary business functions including: Employee Experience, Financial, Implementation, Legal, Marketing, Operations, Performance, Project Management, Research, Strategy and Technology. Not Just Making Every Day Great. Making Every Minute Great. There are 1,440 minutes in every single day. We aspire to make each one of them an exceptional moment. This philosophy is supported by our 6 powerful, yet simple pillars: Dream Big, Have Courage, Take Initiative, Be Accountable, Give Back & Enjoy it. We strive to fulfill the aspirational yet unattainable goal of creating the absolute best experience with every person, in every interaction, every minute of every day. It begins with empowering our employees. Every employee, at every level of the company, is expected to perform like a leader. Everyone is encouraged and expected to put the needs of each other above everything else. No one here just “does their job” The mission is to create the absolute best experiences. This emphasis on putting people first has helped us successfully grow for the right reasons. Our environment attracts dreamers, adventurers, creators, givers and believers to seek career opportunities with us. We find people who believe that true happiness is only found in the service of others. We want high-performers with diverse skill sets and big hearts.
