Business Research Intern

Company Description

At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 60 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.

With over 1,400 professionals across 27 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths. Learn more at www.kpff.com.

Job Description

KPFF is seeking two part-time Business Research Interns to join our team for an 8–10 week internship between April and June.

This internship is designed for students considering careers in consulting, communications, or management, and provides hands-on exposure to real business questions through competitor and market-based website research. Interns will work within a collaborative, professional office environment and contribute to clearly defined deliverables following an established timeline of work progression.

This is a non-exempt, temporary position.

What You'll Experience

• Real-world exposure to how professional services firms present themselves externally
• Structured, project-based work with clear milestones and expectations
• Collaboration within a professional office environment
• Opportunities to strengthen research, organization, and communication skills
• Experience commonly aligned with marketing, competitive research, and consulting-style internships
• Opportunities for learning, relationship building, and fun

Internship Focus & Deliverables 

• A competitor comparison matrix developed in Excel
• A written summary of key observations and takeaways
• Recommendations for improving website clarity and external messaging
• A final presentation summarizing findings and insights
• Periodic progress updates throughout the internship

Schedule & Work Location

• Part-time: 10–15 hours per week
• Duration: April–June (approximately 8–10 weeks, starting in April)
• In-person work is required on Tuesdays at our Downtown Los Angeles office (3–4 hours between 8:00 AM and 3:00 PM)
• Additional hours may be completed remotely
• Local applicants are required; candidates must be able to reliably commute to the Downtown Los Angeles office
• Relocation assistance is not provided

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities 

• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to synthesize qualitative information into clear, structured insights and recommendations
• Ability to independently plan, document, and organize work
• Comfortable working collaboratively in a professional office environment

Salary

Hourly Pay Range: $20.00 - $25.00 per hour, depending on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Junior standing or higher at the time of the internship
• Junior-level candidates must be on track to complete their Bachelor of Science degree by Spring 2027 or sooner
• Enrollment in a bachelor’s program Business, Management, Marketing, Communications, Strategy, or a related field

Preferred Qualifications

• Interest in consulting, communications, or business strategy
• Prior experience with research, writing, or presentations

Additional Information

Application Process

If you are interested in this position, please apply through KPFF’s careers page or click on the “I'm Interested” button below. Resumes sent elsewhere will not be considered.

In your application, please include a short paragraph describing your interest in this internship and how it aligns with your academic or career interests.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

• Duties are performed in a normal office environment while sitting at a desk or computer table.
• Duties require the ability to actively engage with a computer for several hours per day.
• May occasionally need to lift items up to 15 lbs.
• Duties require in-person attendance during designated office hours as