San Francisco International Airport (SFO) - Student Design Trainee Program (Summer Internship 2026) 5380, 5381, 5382

City and County of San Francisco•San Mateo County, CA

2d•$37 - $42

About The Position

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) has an outstanding paid internship opportunity for you! Are you a college student or recent graduate with a passion for engineering, planning, architecture, environmental, IT, transportation (landside) operations or related areas? If so, join SFO’s summer internship program to gain hands-on training and mentorship in the various areas. SFO Internship Programs are available in the work sections below: Design and Construction SFO’s Design & Construction is responsible for the long-term planning of the Airport, as well as the development, design & construction of all Airport infrastructure projects. This office oversees the architecture, engineering, environmental, planning, infrastructure information management, and project management staff. Interns typically gain experience by assisting with various phases of projects, from planning and design to execution and quality control. Learn about the different work sections you can be a part of: Project Management Architecture Civil Engineering Mechanical Engineering Utility Engineering Electrical Engineering Construction Services – Construction Management, Inspection, and Surveying Planning and Environmental Affairs Infrastructure Information Management Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Sustainability & Resilience Office (SRO) Chief Innovation and Technology Office Chief Innovation and Technology Office oversees industry relations, budgeting, and hiring of IT to ensure that staff resources and competencies meet the changing needs of the business and prevailing industry trends. Strategic Initiatives Technology Sourcing Management (TSM) Business Applications and Analytics (BAA) The Business Applications and Analytics (BAA) team provides services to assess and digitize current systems and business processes for improvement opportunities. We collaborate with business stakeholders in identifying opportunities for optimizing the Airport’s enterprise tools, aiming to deliver turn-key solutions via low/no code development in PowerApps platforms. The BAA team yields reports and dashboard development, data research and analytics, business intelligence consultation to the Airport businesses. We work closely with internal IT teams to explore approaches for preparing and gathering data to enhance the ability to identify similarities and patterns within datasets for better business decision-making and optimize the utilization of Airport data. We promote self-services by utilizing tools and platforms that bring data closer to end users. The BAA team offers training to Airport managers and analysts on maximizing self-sufficiency through the proficient use of existing tools and optimizing data presentation in the most effective way. Cybersecurity and Compliance The need for effective cyber-security spans the entire realm of the digital world and includes all things communicating over modern networks. The Cybersecurity team ensures the confidentiality, integrity and availability of Airport information and information systems, including traditional information technology (such as workstations, servers, laptops, smartphones, and other mobile devices) as well as operational technology (such as baggage handling, airfield lighting, video surveillance and other types of industrial control systems). We collaborate with the adjacent agencies to ensure Airport IT policies and practices adhere to both federally regulated mandates, including but not limited to cybersecurity obligations established by the Department of Homeland Security Transportation Security Administration (DHS/TSA) under 49 CFR Part 139 and 49 CFR Parts 15 & 1520. Innovation and Solutions (I&S) Provides the Information Technology (IT) services and infrastructure to realize novel solutions to complex business problems by leveraging data. Comprised of five different teams, I&S employs advanced practices and methodologies to architect innovative solutions that can lead to higher business and operational performance. Enterprise Bus and Integration Data Engineering Cloud Infrastructure Software Quality Assurance (SQA) Airport Systems Project Management and Delivery Project Management and Delivery department provides a structure and process to consistently plan and deliver successful projects within scope, schedule, and budget. We seek to accomplish this mission by providing project governance, documenting, and maintaining project standards, project reporting, tracking key performance indicators and supporting IT Project Managers with tools, project forecasting and resource availability estimates. IT Project Managers manage the overall health of the Airport IT projects and achieve a successful result. Tasks include project initiation, determining success criteria, creating project plans, managing stakeholder engagement, vendor management, risk analysis and project execution and closeout. Operations Infrastructure Design and Engineering Technology Operations Technology Support and Network Operations Center (NOC) Technology Field Support Transportation Engineering and Planning - Landside Operations SFO’s Landside Operations oversees the Airport’s transportation planners, traffic engineering and ground transportation services to encourage the use of alternative transportation modes and ensure passengers are moved efficiently on and off the Airport. They also disseminate accurate information on ground transportation programs and services to promote their use. Join SFO as an intern in Transportation Engineering or Transportation Planning and gain hands-on experience in creating safer, more efficient ground transportation systems. You’ll work alongside industry experts, contribute to real-life projects, and learn valuable skills in airport transportation planning, landside traffic management, and infrastructure design. Learn about the different areas you can be a part of: Traffic Engineering Explore our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for further information.

Requirements

Education: At the time of submitting application, you must be enrolled in an accredited university or a community college in the following related fields: Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, or Environmental Engineering, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Interior Architecture, Architectural Technology, Architectural Engineering, Planning, Urban Planning, City Planning, Regional Planning, Computer Science/Information Services Program, Cybersecurity Program, Cloud Security, Digital Forensics, Geographical Information Systems, Information Technology, Project Management, Mathematics, Biology, Natural Resources, Environmental Horticulture.
You must be returning to your associate, undergraduate or graduate program or entering/continuing a graduate program in Fall 2026.
Students enrolled in second-to-last or last semester and will soon graduate are also encouraged to apply.
You can still apply if you are in your second-to-last or last semester, as you may still be selected for the program within six months of graduation.
Experience: No previous experience is necessary.