Student Summer Internship 2026 | San Diego at Cuningham – San Diego, California

Student Summer Internship 2026 | San Diego

At Cuninghams San Diego office, our summer internship offers Architecture students hands-on experience in a collaborative, design-driven studio. Youll work alongside experienced architects and take part in the full design processfrom early concepts and 3D visualization to material exploration and construction site visits.
Youll also have opportunities to collaborate with interns across Cuninghams other office locations, expanding your network and gaining insight into how our teams work nationwide. If youre ready to grow your skills and make an impact through design, wed love to have you join our San Diego team this summer.Working with us, you will have opportunities to:

• Work within interdisciplinary teams to contribute to, design, and develop projects. This will include iterative design development and researching construction materials and methods to support regenerative design outcomes.
• Utilize state-of-the-art technology such as virtual reality and 3D modeling and printing.
• Engage in the development of construction documents utilizing AutoDesk Revit;
• Experience construction administration through project site visits.

To be eligible, candidate has:

• A strong desire to learn and actively engage project teams.
• Current enrollment in an undergraduate program with a minimum of two years completed, or one year in a graduate program in architecture or interior design (accredited programs preferred but not required).
• Current enrollment in an associate level program in architectural drafting or related program, with a minimum of one year completed.
• Availability to dedicate 40-hours per week for the duration of the summer break.
• Willingness to work in-office 5-days per week.
• Introductory-level proficiency in Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, and Autodesk Revit.

How to apply, submit

• Resume (in PDF format)
• A letter of interest
• Portfolio samples (no more than 10-pages). If you are including group projects in your portfolio, please indicate your role on the project.

Summer internship Recruiting Schedule:

• Application/Posting period: January 28 - March 13, 2026
• Application deadline: March 13, 2026 (no applications will be accepted after midnight)
• Final decisions communicated: week of April 13, 2026
• The 2026 summer internship program runs June 8 through August 21, 2026 (10 weeks). No early start dates permitted; interns must be available to participate in the full duration of the 10-week program.

Why Cuningham?
Together, we create enduring experiences for a healthy world. Whether we are celebrating at a Spirit hour, nurturing an equitable and just work environment, or delivering regenerative design solutions to restore natural and human systems, each exchange is an opportunity to create a better future and support the health of our talent and communities. Our values are simple and impact every aspect of our practice: Celebrate curiosity.Design the future.Restore the earth.Take care of each other.Have fun. What can we create together?
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Cuningham is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the strength diversity brings to the workplace when combined with equity and justice. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status.
$20 - $25 an hour