Geotechnical Engineering Internship - 2027

Mott MacDonald•San Jose, CA

11d•$18 - $35•Hybrid

About The Position

At Mott MacDonald, we believe that engineering is about more than solving problems, it’s about shaping a future that’s inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. As we expand our operations across the US and Canada, we’re inviting passionate individuals to join us in a journey that’s driven by purpose and powered by brilliant people. We’re trusted consultants, partnering with clients to solve complex challenges and deliver lasting impact. From the moment you join our team, you’ll be surrounded by experienced engineering consultants, project managers, and subject matter experts who are committed to excellence and innovation. You’ll work side-by-side with mentors and peers who specialize in geotechnical engineering, engineering geology, and advanced numerical modeling, allowing you to not just apply your engineering skills, but to also experience and understand the wide variety technical challenges we face, and the interdisciplinary collaboration that it takes to solve them. Together, we’ll tackle complex challenges, deliver sustainable solutions, and create positive change for our clients and the communities they serve. You’ll be trusted to contribute, encouraged to grow, and supported every step of the way. As a participant in our summer internship program, Prelaunch, you’ll embark on a structured three-month development journey designed to give you the foundational building blocks for starting a successful career at Mott MacDonald. The program blends immersive learning experiences with mandatory development sessions to build the professional, commercial, and personal effectiveness skills graduates need to thrive and grow into future leaders within our business.

Requirements

Progress towards a Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering, or related field (geotechnical focus)
Self-motivated and able to work as part of a team
Demonstrated interest in your chosen field through previous internships, volunteering opportunities, or organization memberships
Creative thinking skills, with a methodical and pragmatic approach to problem solving
Proficient communication and presentation skills to engage confidently with clients and colleagues
Resilient, solution-oriented mindset, with a focus on continuous growth and delivering value
Ability to build and maintain relationships and rapport with internal and external stakeholders
Collaborative spirit and commitment to teamwork
A valid CA driver's license
Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the US, as Mott MacDonald is unable to provide sponsorship at this time. (US Only)

Nice To Haves

familiarity with SSI and 3D ground modeling (LS-DYNA/PLAXIS/FLAC)

Responsibilities

Log soil borings (hollow-stem auger, mud rotary, sonic) per ASTM D2488/USCS and Caltrans logging conventions; document soil and sampling activities
Observe CPT soundings, test pits, and geophysical surveys; coordinate with drilling and CPT subcontractors
Coordinate USA/DigAlert clearances, encroachment permits, and site access ahead of fieldwork
Monitor instrumentation (inclinometers, settlement plates, piezometers, vibration monitors) and reduce readings
Maintain daily field reports, photo logs, and quantity tracking for drilling and construction activities
Assist with the assignment and tracking of geotechnical laboratory tests (moisture/density, Atterberg limits, gradation, direct shear, consolidation, triaxial, R-value, expansion index, corrosivity) and reviewing the results for consistency with the field logs
Prepare boring logs in OpenGround; develop subsurface profiles and cross sections
Perform or assist with geotechnical analyses under the direction of a Geotechnical Engineer, including shallow foundations, deep foundations, slope stability, seepage, liquefaction triggering, seismic settlement, lateral spreading evaluation, and pavement design
Perform or assist with soil-structure interaction (SSI) and site response analyses, including numerical modeling in PLAXIS 2D/3D, FLAC, LS-DYNA, or similar applications
Draft sections of geotechnical investigation reports, foundation reports (Caltrans FR format), and geotechnical design memoranda
Assist with the preparation of figures, site plans, and boring location maps