CORE Studio Intern

Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world’s challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career.

The Role

Thornton Tomasetti’s CORE studio is seeking a highly motivated Computational Design Intern to support our AI-focused work developing Grasshopper-based applications for engineering and design workflows. This internship offers hands-on experience working on real, production-facing tools that combine computational design, automation, and emerging AI capabilities within the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry.

In this role, you will collaborate closely with members of the CORE AI and Application Development teams to build user-facing Grasshopper applications that connect parametric models to cloud-based inference and analysis services. The tools you help develop will be used by engineers and designers at Thornton Tomasetti to explore new approaches to automation, optimization, and decision-making in structural and architectural design.

Through this internship, you will gain practical experience designing robust parametric workflows, translating technical ideas into usable tools, and understanding how AI-enabled services can be integrated into real-world engineering applications. You’ll also learn best practices for documentation, usability, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary, professional software and design environment. This is a unique opportunity to apply advanced computational design skills in a high-impact, real-world setting, working with one of the leading innovation teams in the AEC industry.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deploy parametric models in Grasshopper, integrating AI-driven workflows.

• Work with Rhino + Grasshopper, managing complex data tree structures and integrating multiple plugins into cohesive workflows.

• Collaborate with engineers, computational designers, and software developers to refine AI-assisted design tools.

• Contribute to internal documentation, training materials, and user guides for the tools developed.

Requirements

• Advanced proficiency in Grasshopper and Rhino, including experience managing data trees and integrating multiple plugins within a single workflow.

• Background in architecture, engineering, or construction (AEC) – strong understanding of building and structural design principles.

• Familiarity with cloud-based computing concepts, particularly as they relate to AI inference, is a plus.

• Coding experience is not required, but it is a plus. 

• Strong problem-solving and communication skills and the ability to work in a collaborative team environment.

Compensation

The rate for this position generally is $25 - $35 hourly. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the New York Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful New York applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in New York or perform the position from New York. Similar positions located outside of New York will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by New York Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee’s pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits

Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability and other voluntary benefits

• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare

• Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Commuter Transit (where available)

• 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments

• Fitness Reimbursement

• And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives

 

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

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