About the role#
The Virginia Department of Transportation offers paid internships for students to gain practical experience in engineering. You will participate in work that connects your academic studies with real-world applications. This is an on-site, hourly position based in Mechanicsville, Virginia. Interns may have the opportunity to extend their work into the academic year depending on performance and business needs.
What you'll do#
- Communicate with department staff, consultants, and external contacts to resolve issues.
- Apply engineering principles to assigned programs and interpret relevant policies.
- Perform routine maintenance and repairs on testing equipment, including proper storage and transport.
- Prepare and maintain daily documentation of project activities.
- Enter and update data to meet deadlines and project requirements.
- Handle, secure, and prepare material samples, which requires manual labor.
What you'll need#
- Current full-time enrollment in an Associate’s degree program or higher in Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, or Industrial Engineering.
- You must be at least 18 years old by the start of your employment.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering plans and specifications.
- Proficiency with computers, MS Office, and smartphones.
- Knowledge of mathematics through algebra and geometry.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Must maintain full-time undergraduate (12+ credits) or graduate (9+ credits) status before and after the internship.
Location & details#
- Location: Mechanicsville, Virginia.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Employment Type: Full-time, hourly wage.
- Note: This position does not include health insurance, retirement, or paid leave and is capped at 1500 hours per year. All candidates must pass pre-employment screenings, including a background check, drug screen, and physical.
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.
