About the role#
The Virginia Department of Transportation offers paid internships for students to gain practical experience in engineering. You will integrate academic theory with workplace tasks to support our programs. This role is intended for students pursuing degrees in Civil, Mechanical, or Electrical Engineering. Interns may have the opportunity to extend their work into the academic year based on performance and business needs.
What you'll do#
- Apply engineering principles and practices to assigned program areas.
- Perform routine maintenance and repairs on testing equipment.
- Prepare and maintain daily documentation of project activities.
- Communicate with VDOT staff, consultants, and external contacts.
- Maintain accurate records for all project activities.
- Handle, secure, and prepare material samples, which requires manual labor.
- Interpret engineering plans and specifications.
What you'll need#
- Current full-time enrollment in an Associate’s degree program or higher.
- Undergraduate students must maintain 12 or more credit hours per semester.
- Graduate students must maintain 9 or more credit hours per semester.
- Basic knowledge of engineering principles.
- Proficiency in MS Office and smartphone applications.
- Ability to perform math including algebra and geometry.
- Must be at least 18 years of age by the start of employment.
Location & details#
- Location: Suffolk, Virginia.
- Modality: On-site.
- Schedule: Full-time.
- Term: Rolling.
- Note: All positions require pre-employment screenings, including a criminal history background check, DMV record check, work history verification, reference checks, a physical, and a drug screen.
About Virginia Department of Transportation
The Virginia Department of Transportation manages the construction, maintenance, and operation of roads, bridges, and tunnels across the state. Established in 1906, the agency oversees one of the largest state-maintained highway systems in the United States. It also provides funding for public transportation, rail, seaports, and airports through the Commonwealth Transportation Board. The department is based in Richmond and employs approximately 4,729 people.
How to get in at Virginia Department of Transportation
Securing an internship at the Virginia Department of Transportation requires speed because early applicants often receive more attention before the candidate pool grows. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, which helps you apply among the first. This timing is a significant advantage when competing for positions in a large government agency. You can also improve your chances by reaching out to the recruiters behind these roles to ask about the position or a potential referral. Intern Insider surfaces the contact information for these recruiters, allowing you to bypass the standard queue and connect directly with the people managing the hiring process.
