Engineering Intern

Job Description

MDT Engineering Internship Program – Summer 2026

The MDT Internship Program offers an exceptional opportunity to immerse yourself in problem-solving, innovation, and teamwork within Montana’s transportation sector. Interns will engage in projects that directly impact Montana’s traveling public, collaborating with area experts to gain invaluable hands-on experience. Our program focuses on training and integrating interns into our workforce of over 2,000 people dedicated to ensuring safe travel for everyone.

We are recruiting for summer Engineering Internship positions for the summer of 2026. These internships will be filled out of Helena and our District areas.

General Requirements & Eligibility:

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a College, University, or Tech School.
• If not currently enrolled, applicants must be within six months of their graduation date.
• College/University Applicants: Must have completed at least 60 credit hours by the end of Spring semester 2026. Applicants with less than 60 credit hours may be considered at a lower pay rate.
• Tech School Applicants (2-year program): Minimum of 30 credit hours completed by the end of Spring semester 2026.
• Acceptable Majors: Civil Engineering, Construction Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering Technology. Other Engineering majors may be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Location & Schedule:

• Engineering Intern positions will be located throughout Montana.
• Some telework may be an option for several positions.
• Regular work schedule will be 40 hours a week, Monday-Friday.
• Construction Engineering interns have the potential to work over 40 hours a week (receiving overtime pay) and some Saturdays, depending on the contractor’s work schedule.
• Travel amount will vary depending on job site locations.

Duties & Responsibilities:

Engineering Interns perform work related to active construction projects or planning and design for future projects on Montana’s highways. Duties may include, but are not limited to:

• Field reviews and on-site visits to active projects.
• Writing reports.
• Construction oversight on roads and bridges.
• Material testing and sampling.
• Surveying.
• GIS mapping.
• Paving, seal and cover, striping.
• Earthwork, gravel placement, grading inspection.
• Monitoring contractor’s progress.

Interns will work within our Engineering Division in various roles, typically performing the following:

• Construction: Approximately 50% office work and 50% field work. This includes oversight of construction of roads and bridges, inspection, research into new processes, procedures and materials, problem solving, developing recommendations for improvements, contract administration, specification improvements, and review and interpretation of plans and designs.
• Geotech: Includes field and office duties, assisting Geotechnical personnel with engineering design work such as subsurface investigations, laboratory testing evaluation, and geotechnical design and analysis.
• Materials, Surfacing Design Unit: Involves office work and field reviews, and special projects regarding pavement design and pavement preservation.
• Highways, Traffic and Safety and Design: Primarily office work, including plan reviews, traffic counts, safety reviews, and design work.
• Planning, Environmental: Seeking degrees in Environmental Science, Geology, Hydrology, Ecology, Natural Resources Planning and Design, or related fields of study.

Compensation & Benefits:

Pay is determined by credit hours earned by the end of Spring semester 2026:

• 30-59 credit hours: $20.50 per hour
• 60-90 credit hours: $21.46 per hour
• 91+ credit hours: $22.25 per hour
• Technical Schools (Minimum 30 credit hours): $22.25 per hour

Interns will not receive benefits such as paid holidays, medical coverage, earned vacation, or sick leave.

Application Process:

To be considered for the internship, you must submit an online application and attach:

• Resume
• Cover Letter: Please express your area of interest in Engineering, such as GeoTech, Hydraulics, Design, Construction, etc.

Interviews will be conducted during the beginning of the spring semester through video interviewing.

Only electronic applications will be accepted.

For a glimpse into past intern experiences, please view the YouTube videos of 2025 MDT Interns: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mtuDFrcCHpQ

Additional Information:

• If you need an accommodation with the application process, please contact the HR office at 406-444-6054.
• All documents for claimed Veteran or Disability preference must be received or date stamped by the closing date. You will receive an email with instructions on how to submit such documents.
• Montana State Government does not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, or sexual orientation), age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, marital status, creed, political affiliation, veteran status, military service, retaliation, or any other factor not related to the merit and qualifications of an employee or applicant.