Internship / Capstone Opportunity

Civil Engineering Intern – Real-World Land Development Project

Location: Remote

Company/Organization: Pure Hearts R US, a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Organization | 3166 East Palmdale Blvd., Suite 113 | Palmdale, California 93550

Compensation: 20 hrs/week, Unpaid Summer 2025 (funding pending Fall 2025)

Duration: Summer 2025 – Fall 2025 (Flexible hours; academic credit encouraged)

About Pure Hearts R Us

Pure Hearts R Us (PHRUs) is a California-based nonprofit dedicated to solving the state’s housing affordability crisis.

Since 2007, PHRUs has helped over 1,500 families and individuals—often first-time homebuyers—achieve homeownership through education-based programs.

With a mission to place one million families into homes, PHRUs offers a comprehensive approach combining financial literacy, housing education, and affordable development.

Core programs include Pre-Purchase Education, Post-Purchase Support, and Future Development Initiatives, guiding participants from readiness to maintenance.

Despite limited funding, PHRUs maintains a 99% success rate among program graduates and is expanding development projects across California.

Bring a 49-Acre Community to Life — For Real

Not a classroom exercise. You’ll contribute directly to the planning and civil engineering for a site with mobile homes, ADUs, fire safety, roadways, utilities, and landscaped areas.

You’ll collaborate with engineers, planners, and city officials, gaining hands-on exposure to permitting and land development. If you’re seeking a senior capstone or thesis, we can work with your department to make it happen.

What You’ll Get to Do

• Draft and review topographic site plans and infrastructure layouts
• Support soil testing coordination and evaluation
• Plan roadways, utility paths, and fire hydrant placements
• Participate in city engagement: attend meetings, prepare permitting documents, respond to agency feedback
• Collaborate with design and engineering consultants on streets, landscaping, and lighting plans
• Use tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS, and SketchUp
• Learn the real-world steps to get a housing project approved and built

We’re Looking for Someone Who…

• Is studying Civil Engineering, Construction Management, Urban Planning, or related
• Has completed at least two years of coursework
• Understands (or is eager to learn) site grading, surveying, drainage, and infrastructure
• Is excited to make a visible, real-world impact
• Can commit a few hours weekly over summer/fall (flexible schedule)
• May turn this into a thesis, design project, or independent study

How to Apply

Send the following by August 30th to aaron@pureheartsrus.org:

• Resume
• Short statement (≤ 300 words) covering:
  • Why does this project interest you?
  • Relevant experience (classes, tools, jobs)
  • Interest in using this as a thesis / independent study / senior project

Optional: Include class project work, diagrams, or plans you’ve helped create.