Structural Engineering Volunteer Intern – Build Change

Structural Engineering Volunteer Intern – Build Change

Are you ready to use your structural engineering skills to make homes safer in disaster-prone regions? Build Change, an award-winning non-profit social innovator, is looking for Structural Engineering Volunteer Interns to support global housing projects from Spring through Autumn 2025.

This is a remote internship with flexible hours and the possibility of field travel to exciting locations like Mozambique, the Caribbean, Comoros, or Maldives. All field-related expenses are covered.

Internship Details

Location: Remote (Field travel optional)
Term: 3 months (Extension possible)
Start Date: Flexible (Spring to Autumn 2025)
Compensation: Unpaid (expenses covered for field placements)

About Build Change

Since 2004, Build Change has improved housing safety for over 1.17 million people and safeguarded $4.7 billion in infrastructure. Operating across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, our team is leading a global shift in resilient housing by empowering families, builders, and governments.

Learn more at www.buildchange.org

Your Role

As an intern, you’ll work with engineering teams around the world to support:

• Review and development of technical resources for resilient structures (confined masonry, timber, concrete, retrofits)
• Creation of design guides, checklists, BOQs, and training materials
• Data analysis and reporting for decision-making
• Contribution to internal and external project reports
• Participation in partner meetings and communications
• Support of sustainability and disaster risk reduction efforts

You Should Have

• A Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Structural Engineering
• 1+ year of experience (internships, coursework, or professional work)
• Solid English communication skills
• Bonus: Portuguese, French, Spanish, or other relevant languages

Preferred Knowledge

• Experience with masonry, timber, and concrete design in seismic or wind-prone areas
• Familiarity with building codes: IBC, ASCE, Eurocodes, ACI, TMS, AWC
• Skilled in Autodesk Revit and model-based drafting
• Able to write clear technical reports and give presentations
• Familiar with Dynamo, carbon analysis, or vernacular construction (bamboo, adobe)
• Comfortable using Excel, Google Sheets, or basic programming (JavaScript/Python)

You Are:

• Optimistic, flexible, and solution-driven
• Organized, professional, and detail-oriented
• Strong communicator with cultural sensitivity
• Open to learning and ready to make a difference

Build Change is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Women and applicants from Build Change’s program countries are strongly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No calls, please.

Take your next step in engineering—and make it count.