Construction Field Engineer Internship- Summer 2026

Nichols Contracting, Inc. (NCI) is a family-owned and operated Construction and Contracting business headquartered in Columbia, MD with offices in Richmond VA, Royal Palm Beach and Orlando, Florida, with a team of 170 employees. NCI is a full-service general contractor focused on providing premier services in all aspects of the construction process, from concept to completion. We manage a broad range of commercial construction projects, including new construction, tenant fit outs, and renovations. NCI services a diverse group of markets including federal, state, and local governments, as well as a variety of corporate and special industry organizations that require complex life safety and critical infrastructure needs.

Nichols Contracting Inc is seeking a Construction Field Engineer Intern, for summer of 2026. In this role you will support the field operations team in the successful execution of a construction project. This internship is designed to provide hands-on experience in both office and field settings, exposing you to the processes, procedures, and responsibilities of a general contractor. You will work alongside superintendents, assistant superintendents, engineers, and subcontractors to learn the fundamentals of construction management.

Duties to include but not limited to:

Essential Functions:

- Will be learning how to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications

- Will be learning written communication skills, including sending emails, filling out daily reports, and keeping meeting minutes

- Will be learning how to perform document control

- Will be learning the importance of and adherence to construction safety requirements, including documenting daily safety observations in the field

- Will be learning how to assist with and execute coordinated site logistics

- Will be learning through direct involvement with the project team in on site subcontractor coordination and updating weekly look-ahead schedules

- Will be learning how to actively contribute to the project quality control process, including verifying materials

- Support the team with day-to-day operations as needed

Desired Skills and Competencies:

- Currently enrolled in a Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Architecture, or related degree program

- 3.0 Cumulative GPA

- Basic knowledge of construction principles, safety standards, and project phases

- Strong communication and organizational skills

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook)

- Willingness to work on active construction sites

- Ability to manage time and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment

- Familiarity with construction management software

- Previous internship or jobsite experience (a plus, not required)

Physical Demands:The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

- Ability to independently ascend and descend stairs.

- Ability to independently reach, twist, and bend.

- Ability to independently remain stationary for extended periods of time; and

Ability to independently lift up to 30 pounds when required by work assignment.

Salary: $20/HR

Employee Acknowledgement: I have read the above position description and I understand and agree with the terms and requirements for this position. I also understand and agree that such requirements may be amended and/or adjusted at any time.

Persons with mental and physical disabilities as defined by the American’s With Disabilities Act are eligible for this position as long as they can perform the essential functions of the job after reasonable accommodations are made to their known limitations. If the accommodation cannot be made because it would cause the employer undue hardship, such persons may not be eligible for this position.

Equal Employment Opportunity Policy:

Nichols Contracting provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type on the basis of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state of local laws.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.