Project Engineering Intern

Central & Southern Illinois • Paid Internship • Summer / Flexible

This isn't a coffee-and-copies internship. You'll be on real job sites, working on real projects, learning how heavy civil construction actually gets built.

Kinney Contractors is one of the fastest-growing heavy civil contractors in Illinois. We self-perform concrete paving, earthwork, utilities, and structures on IDOT and municipal projects — the kind of infrastructure work you're studying in school. Our revenue has grown substantially, and we're building a team that can keep scaling.

We're owner-operated, which means decisions are fast, politics are minimal, and interns don't get lost in the machine. You'll work alongside project managers, superintendents, and estimators who know your name.

You'll embed with our project management and field teams on active construction projects. The goal is simple: teach you how projects really work, from bid day to final closeout. Here's what that looks like day-to-day:

▸ Assist project managers with budgeting, scheduling, and production tracking

▸ Track and log change orders — learn how scope changes move through a project

▸ Verify field quantities for billing and help prepare pay applications

▸ Coordinate with subcontractors on scheduling and deliverables

▸ Perform plan takeoffs and attend pre-bid meetings with estimators

▸ Support project closeout activities — punch lists, final documentation, as-builts

▸ Spend time on job sites understanding how plans translate to dirt, concrete, and pipe

▸ Learn how to set up GPS / stringless equipment

Required:

▸ Currently pursuing a BS in Construction Management or Civil Engineering

▸ Ability to read construction plans and specifications

▸ Strong math and analytical skills

▸ Clear written and verbal communication

▸ Valid driver's license and ability to travel to job sites

▸ Willingness to work outdoors in all weather conditions

Preferred (not required):

▸ 1+ year of construction experience (field, office, college, or family business - it all counts)

▸ Familiarity with HCSS HeavyJob or HeavyBid

▸ Proficiency in Microsoft Project, Bluebeam, or Excel

▸ OSHA 10 or OSHA 30 certification

Most construction internships have you filing paperwork in a trailer. We'll put you where the work is — because that's where you learn. You'll get direct mentorship from experienced PMs and supers who want to teach, not just delegate.

We hire our best interns full-time after graduation. Several of our current employees started as KCI interns. This is a pipeline, not a placeholder.

What we offer:

▸ Competitive hourly pay

▸ Real project exposure — not busy work

▸ Direct mentorship from senior project managers and field leaders

▸ Flexible scheduling around your academic calendar

▸ A clear path to full-time employment for strong performers

• Help us build the roads to a better future.