Internship

Design & Process Engineering Intern

Stantec Incorporated

June-August 2024

Role & Responsibilities:

As an intern within the civil and structural division, I supported infrastructure design by researching highways, airports, dams, waterways, and bridges. I conducted simulations and material analyses that improved safety margins by 15% and reduced projected costs by 10%, and I collaborated with engineers across disciplines to integrate these findings into active projects.

Additionally, I contributed directly to design development by proposing runway drainage redesigns and hybrid bridge material options, both of which were incorporated into preliminary engineering plans. This role involved coordinating with multiple teams, refining design logistics, and ensuring that analytical insights translated effectively into reinforced, cost-efficient designs.

Technical Skills:

• Material Testing

• Structural Analysis (FEA, fatigue analysis, safety factor evaluation)

• Materials Characterization & Testing (tensile testing, hardness testing, composite evaluation)

• Test Development & Validation (protocol creation, instrumentation setup, data acquisition)

• Infrastructure Modeling & Simulation (load modeling, flow analysis, thermal/strain simulations)

• CAD & Drafting (SolidWorks, Creo, or AutoCAD—use whichever you actually know)

• Geotechnical & Drainage Design Principles (runway drainage, soil–structure interaction)

• Finite Element Tools (ANSYS, Abaqus, or similar—customize as needed)

• Data Analysis & Technical Reporting (Python, MATLAB, Excel-based modeling)

• Design Optimization (cost reduction modeling, material selection trade studies)

• Standards & Codes Familiarity (AASHTO, FAA, FHWA, or related depending on your experience)

• Test Development

• Mechanical Simulations

Soft Skills:

• Technical Writing & Documentation

• Project Management & Task Prioritization

• Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Communication of Complex Concepts

• Attention to Detail

• Time Management & Organization

Takeaways

• Always ask why until you can't! Critical thinking is one of the most important skills an engineer can have. Asking why pushes you to develop better systems and find solutions

• Never stop learning. After working with helicopters, I realized there are many different mechanical systems, materials, and processes I did not know. This only meant, there were more opportunities to learn and to grow. 

• Embrace collaboration. Working across teams showed me that the best engineering solutions rarely come from one person alone. Engaging with others’ perspectives—whether from design, materials, or logistics—always strengthened the final product and expanded my own understanding.