WORK FOR AN AWARD-WINNING NON-PROFIT SOCIAL INNOVATOR

Job Title: Structural Engineering Volunteer Intern

Industry: Non-profit / International Development

Job Location: Remote, with possibility for travel

Start Date: Flexible, Spring through Autumn 2025

Term: 3 months, with possibility for extension

Salary: Unpaid volunteer (expenses covered for field positions)

WHO WE ARE

Build Change is the global leader in systems change for resilient housing. Our engineers, builders, coders, policy advocates, and lending partners are providing urgently needed housing solutions in the world’s most disaster-prone countries. Shifting power to families since 2004, Build Change has safeguarded over $4.7 billion in housing infrastructure assets across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Asia-Pacific, improving the lives of over 1.17 million people by building new or retrofitting more than 230,000 buildings, at a cost of $51 per safer person.

Learn more at www.buildchange.org or follow us on X and LinkedIn.

YOUR NEW OPPORTUNITY

Build Change is currently recruiting for up to three structural engineering internship positions. These positions will report to a Build Change Lead Engineer or Engineering Program Associate depending on the projects to which they are assigned. The roles will work closely with our project teams in Latin America and the Caribbean, Asia and Africa.

The positions are remote, with flexible working hours necessary to suit coordination with staff based across the globe. Depending on project needs and the intern’s preference, there may also be opportunities for travel and field experience in Mozambique, the Caribbean, Comoros or Maldives. Where field travel is necessary, costs of travel, insurance, accommodation and food will be covered by Build Change.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the structural engineering design resources developed by Build Change for confined masonry, timber, reinforced concrete, reinforced masonry and retrofitting solutions.
• Assist in the development of structural engineering technical resources, including but not limited to structural and architectural design criteria, design calculations, assessment procedures, drawings, bills of quantity, construction quality checklists, and training materials for partners and clients.
• Support effective implementation of project work plans through ownership of project milestones and consistent communication with supervisors.
• As needed, represent Build Change in meetings and communications with project partners as coordinated with the supervisors.
• Support project and program managers as needed by contributing to project administration and internal and external project reporting.

OUR IDEAL CANDIDATE:

You have:

• Master's degree in Structural Engineering or equivalent
• 1 year or more of past internship or work experience as a structural engineer
• Excellent English language skills, plus good Portuguese or French language skills. Spanish or other languages spoken in Build Change program locations are also welcomed.

Your experience (from university modules and projects, or other internships) includes:

• Structural engineering analysis and design for masonry, timber, and reinforced concrete, in regions exposed to earthquakes and strong wind storms.
• Familiarity with building codes for new construction and retrofit, preferably US codes (IBC, ASCE 7, ASCE 41, ACI 318, TMS, AWC) and/or Eurocodes. Familiarity with other international codes is also welcomed.
• Production and review of building models and plan and detail drawings, preferably in Autodesk Revit.
• Presentations of your work to a variety of audiences that communicate technical concepts in an accessible way.
• Clear and concise written reports, including technical reports.

You would describe yourself as:

• Optimistic, flexible, humble, patient, and having a good sense of humor.
• Resourceful and independant, someone who enjoys solving problems and finding pragmatic solutions.
• Professional, organised, with excellent communications skills.

And maybe you also:

• Have worked in the Caribbean, Latin America, Asia or Sub Saharan Africa.
• Are actively pursuing engineering licensure.
• Have additional experience in:
  • Designing structural retrofits.
  • Analysis and design of vernacular construction using bamboo and adobe blocks.
  • Calculating embodied carbon in structures.
  • Construction supervision.
  • Using Dynamo in Autodesk Revit.
  • Are proficient in Google Sheets and Excel.
  • Have some understanding of JavaScript or Python programming languages.

ARE YOU INTERESTED?

Then please visit www.buildchange.org/about/careers and select the link for this position. Applications will be accepted until filled and will be reviewed as received. Build Change is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified women and citizens of Build Change’s program countries are strongly encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No calls please.

OUR COMMITMENT

­­­­­­­­Build Change is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, veteran status, or genetic information. It is the policy of Build Change that qualified individuals with disabilities are not discriminated against because of their disabilities in regard to job application procedures, hiring, and other terms and conditions of employment. It is further the policy of Build Change to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in all aspects of the employment process. Build Change is prepared to modify or adjust the job application process or the job or work environment to make reasonable accommodations to the known physical or mental limitations of the applicant or employee to enable the applicant or employee to be considered for the position he or she desires, to perform the essential functions of the position in question, or to enjoy equal benefits and privileges of employment as are enjoyed by other similarly situated employees without disabilities unless the accommodation will impose an undue hardship.