Urban Planning & Design Intern

AECOM • Los Angeles, CA

3d • Hybrid

About The Position

AECOM is seeking an Urban Planning & Design Intern to be based in Los Angeles, California . This position is expected to begin in May 2026. Internships at AECOM offer students in undergraduate and graduate programs the opportunity to gain valuable hands-on experience in engineering, design, and infrastructure projects that make a real-world impact. Interns work with cutting-edge technology, learn industry’s best practices, and collaborate with experienced professionals in a globally recognized firm. The program fosters both technical and professional skill development while providing networking opportunities that can enhance future career prospects. Additionally, AECOM’s dedication to innovation and sustainability enables interns to contribute to meaningful projects that help shape communities and the built environment. AECOM has an opening for an Urban Planning Intern in our Los Angeles office. The Urban Planning team supports a variety of clients in the development of land use and zoning regulations, urban design standards, community engagement strategies, housing and land use policy, and equity analyses to produce thoughtful, accessible, and forward-thinking planning and policy documents. Our clients typically include Cities, Transit Agencies, and Regional Planning Agencies throughout Southern California. The Urban Planning team is embedded within AECOM’s Buildings + Places (B+P) practice, a collaborative, multi-disciplinary, and fast-paced environment including several related disciplines, such as architecture, landscape architecture, and economics. The internship will be based out of AECOM’s Downtown Los Angeles office. Applicants should expect to participate in occasional field visits throughout Los Angeles County. Responsibilities will vary depending on the team’s active project work, and the intern’s technical skills and desired areas of professional development. Ideal candidates will have a strong grasp of professional written, verbal, and visual communication, policy comprehension, data analysis, and research. AECOM SoCal B+P Internship Program AECOM’s SoCal B+P Internship program provides a balanced working and social experience for interns to gain project experience and build interdisciplinary professional and mentor relationships. Activities include visits to in-progress construction sites, local field trips to nearby architecturally important projects, and opportunities to connect and network through social events with other interns throughout AECOM’s business lines. Additionally, interns will have the opportunity to work with an interdisciplinary cohort of B+P interns to develop a conceptual project focused on a site in Los Angeles County.

Requirements

• Candidates must be pursuing a Bachelor’s degree program in Urban Planning or related field and must have completed at least one year of study
• Candidates who have graduated with a Bachelor’s degree and plan to continue with the Master’s degree are eligible to apply for these positions.
• Graduates must have been enrolled in their bachelor’s degree in the most previous school term with an interest in pursuing an advanced degree in the same or similar discipline at the conclusion of the internship.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of local, regional, and statewide housing policies.
• Knowledge of planning-related equity issues and analysis tools.
• Experience with Adobe Illustrator and InDesign.
• Experience with ESRI ArcGIS.

Responsibilities

• Preparation of materials for zoning updates, general plans, master plans, specific plans, community plans, and other regulatory and policy planning projects
• Preparation of urban design existing conditions and concept studies
• Development of high-quality, user-friendly zoning documents, exhibit boards, reports, and planning deliverables in Microsoft Word and Adobe InDesign and Illustrator
• Research on zoning, legislation, and policy
• Collection and analysis of data on built environment and socioeconomic conditions, including from census/land use/property databases

Benefits

• AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options , well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern