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Civil Engineer Intern

Leidos · Chicago, IL · $48,100–$86,950 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 8, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a class or team project where you used CAD or structural analysis software. What did you produce?

What they are checking: Whether they have hands-on tool experience that will let them contribute to a design team quickly.

Describe a time you worked on a team where people had different roles, like a design team with engineers and technicians.

What they are checking: Whether they can collaborate across skill levels and roles, which is how this design team is built.

How do you stay safe and follow quality rules when you're new and still learning how things are done?

What they are checking: Whether they take safe work practices and quality control seriously from the first day.

What would make this internship a success for you by the end of the summer?

What they are checking: Whether they have clear learning goals and genuine interest in power delivery engineering as a career.

What would you do

You finish a calculation and the result looks off, but you can't find the mistake. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they check their work and ask for help at the right time rather than turning in something doubtful.

Your supervising engineer is busy and you've been given a client standard that seems to conflict with what you learned in school. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they know client standards usually govern and will ask instead of guessing.

About the work

What do you know about the civil and structural side of a substation, and what parts of that work interest you most?

What they are checking: Whether they have looked into what substation civil work involves and can connect it to their coursework.

Walk me through how you'd size a spread footing for an equipment stand. What loads would you consider?

What they are checking: Whether they can apply basic foundation design concepts like dead, wind and ice loads to a real structure.

How would you build a bill of materials from a design, and how would you check it for errors?

What they are checking: Whether they are careful with quantities, since a wrong bill of materials causes expensive delays on site.

Have you heard of the National Electrical Safety Code? How do you think it would affect a civil or structural design?

What they are checking: Whether they are curious about utility codes and understand that clearances and loading shape civil design choices.

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The full job description

As published by Leidos.

Job Description Leidos continues to expand its operations, and seeks a highly motivated, Civil Engineer Intern in our Chicago, IL location. This strategically important position will have a large impact on an already successful organization. Successful candidates must comply with quality control and safe work practices and maintain compliance with project scope, schedule and budget. This position will be a member of a design team comprised of engineers, designers, and CAD technicians and will work with client standards to implement engineering designs. The Civil Engineer Intern will be responsible for design and planning related activities associated with electric transmission, and substation civil/structural facilities. This includes assisting on projects with transmission line and substation civil/structural modeling, evaluating corresponding structures, hardware and foundations. Responsibilities will also include preparation of supporting construction documentation and plans. Responsibilities under direct supervision of a staff engineer will include: • Create substation civil/structural calculations • Design supporting foundation structures • Develop Bill of Materials based on design criteria • Applying the minimum requirements of the National Electrical Safety Code to the design processes • Working with client standards to implement design • Assist development of standards for clients as needed • Working with a designer/drafter to create the required drawings for each project Required Education and Experience: • Must be currently enrolled in an accredited Civil Engineering degree program with an emphasis in Structures: Note: Must have completed, at a minimum, (1) course in structure analysis, (1) course in steel design/or concrete design, and (1) foundation/or geotechnical course. • Knowledge of transmission and substation civil/structural design is a plus • Ability to meet deadlines • Team player who can work effectively in team environment • An individual with initiative that can work with limited supervision • Strong written and verbal communication skills required when interfacing with clients and staff • Detail oriented • Strong analytical skills and proven problem solver in both team and independent environments • High level of computer competency If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: September 8, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $48,100.00 - $86,950.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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