15 Aerospace Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student, participating in an internship can be a great experience. It helps you gain practical exposure, develop technical and professional skills, and build a stronger resume for college and future careers. If you're interested in aerospace engineering, aviation, or space science, aerospace internships for high school students offer a solid opportunity to explore topics such as flight mechanics, robotics, propulsion systems, and satellite technology early on. These programs can also improve your understanding of what careers in aerospace actually look like and help you decide which path suits you best.
From hands-on research with NASA-affiliated labs to STEM-focused roles at aerospace startups, aerospace internships for high school students are becoming increasingly accessible. Some include mentorship, group projects, lab tours, or technical training, while others give you a chance to contribute to real engineering or design work. Whether you're interested in aeronautics, robotics, or astronautical engineering, there's likely a program here that aligns with your goals.
To make your search easier, we’ve compiled a list of 15 of the best aerospace internships for high school students.
15 Aerospace Internships for High School Students
1. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the U.S.
Stipend: Weekly stipend based on education level
Dates: Varies by site and project
Application Deadline: Typically closes in January
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16+ with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; Must be enrolled or accepted in a degree-granting program and available to work full-time on-site
The AFRL Scholars Program offers high school students a paid, full-time internship in aerospace engineering and scientific research. You’ll be matched with a mentor from the Air Force Research Laboratory and assist in developing technologies relevant to national defense, including propulsion, flight systems, and autonomous platforms. You’ll tour AFRL facilities, attend seminars, and work on research in topics like hypersonics, space systems, and sensors. You can apply to up to three technical research topics per AFRL site, making this a highly customizable and immersive experience for aspiring aerospace professionals.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program; Financial aid offered
Dates: Multiple cohorts available; includes summer session
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: High school students
Ladder Internships connects motivated students with aerospace-focused startups and innovation labs through remote, mentor-guided internships. You’ll work on hands-on projects related to satellite design, drone systems, aerospace software, or space policy. Each student receives weekly one-on-one mentorship with an industry professional, along with training in research, product development, or technical writing. The program is fully virtual and emphasizes real-world application of STEM skills, making it a strong fit for students interested in aviation, space exploration, or aerospace entrepreneurship.
3. NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internship Programs
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; Over 2,000 students placed annually
Location: Various NASA field centers (on-site or remote)
Stipend: Paid (amount varies based on education level and session)
Dates: Varies by internship
Application Deadline: September 12 (spring); February 27 (summer); May 22 (fall)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16+ with a 3.0 GPA or higher; Must be enrolled full-time or part-time in an accredited academic program
OSTEM internships offer students access to real-world NASA missions and projects, encompassing engineering, data science, and technology development. High school students may assist with analyzing spacecraft data, helping design simulations, or supporting science outreach. Each internship includes structured mentorship, technical training, and opportunities to interact with NASA professionals across disciplines. You can apply to projects aligned with your interests across multiple NASA centers, making this one of the most prestigious and flexible aerospace internships for high school students.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Highly competitive; ~300 students selected
Location: Multiple Navy labs across the U.S.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer (with options to extend by 2 weeks)
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16+ who have completed at least 9th grade; Graduating seniors are welcome
SEAP places high school students in Department of the Navy labs to contribute to real scientific and engineering research alongside military scientists and engineers. You will be selected based on academic performance, essays, and recommendations, and will be placed in labs that align with your interests. If you’re interested in aerospace engineering, labs like the Naval Air Warfare Center (NAWCAD) offer hands-on work with aircraft systems, remote sensing, and mission support technologies. The experience includes access to cutting-edge military research, facilities, and mentorship, making this one of the most prestigious pre-college STEM internships.
5. Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship Program
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Multiple Lockheed Martin Space facilities across the U.S. (in-person and virtual options)
Stipend: Hourly wage provided
Dates: 9-10 weeks from June to August
Application Deadline: October – January
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ living near a participating Lockheed Martin facility
This internship offers hands-on experience with aerospace engineering projects at one of the world’s leading space and defense companies. As a Lockheed Martin Space intern, you’ll contribute to real projects that support the company’s space exploration and defense missions. You will also have the opportunity to explore both technical and non-technical career paths, depending on your interests. Expect mentorship from professionals, career development programming, and executive networking events, all of which provide a deeper understanding of the aerospace industry and its career pathways.
6. SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: University of Texas Center for Space Research, Austin, TX (with virtual options)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July 27 – August 4 (10th grade) | July 7 – 20 (11th grade)
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current high school sophomores or juniors, U.S. citizens; Must be 16 by July 1
The SEES Program offers immersive, project-based experiences in aerospace and Earth sciences, tailored for rising juniors and seniors. You will complete the required virtual coursework before July, then join either a one-week or two-week internship collaborating with NASA scientists and engineers. 11th-grade interns work on topics like astronaut photography, Mars Rover utilization, or aerospace engineering, while 10th graders design payloads for the ZERO-G parabolic aircraft. All students present their findings in a symposium to NASA and university researchers, making this a standout opportunity for aspiring aerospace scientists and engineers.
7. Textron Aviation High School Internships
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Various U.S. locations
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 6-week summer session; Semester-long fall and spring internships
Application Deadline: January (Summer); July (Fall); October (Spring)
Eligibility: U.S. high school students aged 16-19
Textron Aviation offers paid internships for high school students interested in aviation and aerospace careers across multiple disciplines. You can explore roles not only in engineering and manufacturing but also in marketing, IT, operations, finance, and human resources. You will work on real-world tasks that align with your interests, gaining industry exposure and developing workplace readiness. These internships are designed to bridge academic learning with career exploration, helping students understand the vast opportunities available in the aviation industry.
8. The Aerospace Corporation High School Internship Program
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Location: Various Aerospace offices across the U.S. (primarily El Segundo, CA)
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer internships (10-12 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies by program; Typically, early winter/rolling; STEM scholarship applications often due early spring
Eligibility: U.S. rising high school juniors or seniors (16+); GPA and academic involvement may be prioritized
At Aerospace, high school interns work alongside engineers and scientists on space systems engineering, satellite launch analysis, AI, robotics, and more. As part of the internship program, students may be selected through their participation in K-12 STEM events or through scholarship cohorts, such as the Dr. Wanda M. Austin STEM Scholarship, which includes a paid internship and mentorship track. As a participant, you will be responsible for real research work and technical tasks under supervision and will gain exposure to multiple disciplines such as systems engineering, optics, software, mechanics, and cyber. You’ll also get to participate in professional development activities like “TECTalks,” mentorship sessions, and campus tours. This opportunity is ideal for students serious about pursuing aerospace engineering or systems-level STEM careers.
9. Spirit AeroSystems High School Internship Program
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Spirit AeroSystems, Wichita, Kansas
Stipend: $14/hour
Dates: 5-6 weeks from June – July
Application Deadline: Typically closes in April
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors or seniors who are at least 16 years old before the start date
Spirit AeroSystems offers a paid summer internship program that introduces high school students to the field of aerospace manufacturing and engineering. During the program, you’ll gain hands-on experience in sheet metal and composite manufacturing, machining, tooling, finance, and supply chain operations. You will be placed into learning tracks such as fabrication or technical development and will work directly with industry professionals throughout the program. If you're accepted into the Fabrication Learning Track, you must be 18 before the start date. If you perform exceptionally, you may be invited to return or transition into full-time roles after high school graduation.
10. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Internship Program
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, New Jersey
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 8-10 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Typically closes in early March
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors (age 16+) who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The PPPL Internship Program allows high school seniors to explore plasma physics and fusion energy research through hands-on experience. Over the summer, you’ll work full-time alongside professional researchers and engineers on experimental or computational projects related to plasma science. This program is particularly valuable for students interested in aerospace engineering, as plasma applications are critical in space propulsion and materials design. Prior experience in coding, CAD, or advanced STEM coursework is recommended. While the program is commuter-based, remote projects may be available depending on mentor alignment.
11. Texas High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS)
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Location: Online + Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: November – February (online course); Late July (4-day residential experience)
Application Deadline: Typically closes in October
Eligibility: U.S. high school juniors who reside in Texas
Texas High School Aerospace Scholars (HAS) is a NASA-affiliated program that combines online coursework with an optional residential summer experience. During the school year, you’ll complete interactive STEM modules covering space exploration, Earth science, and technology, while also participating in design challenges and virtual meetings with NASA professionals. Top-performing students are invited to Johnson Space Center in Houston for a 4-day summer experience where you’ll collaborate on team-based mission planning and engineering projects under the guidance of NASA scientists. This program is ideal for aspiring aerospace engineers seeking a strong foundation in applied science and space technology.
12. Northrop Grumman’s High School Involvement Partnership (HIP) Mentoring Program
Acceptance Rate: Highly competitive
Location: Multiple Northrop Grumman facilities nationwide
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 2 years; Junior Year: November – May | Senior Year: November – April
Application Deadline: Varies by location and school district
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in select public schools, U.S. citizens with a 3.0+ GPA
Northrop Grumman’s HIP Program is a two-year STEM mentoring program designed to introduce high school students to careers in aerospace and defense. As a junior, you’ll explore core technologies like satellites, radar systems, and cyber solutions through 10-12 virtual sessions and site visits. If you continue into the senior year, you’ll be paired with a mentor and take part in a team-based project that deepens your technical and professional skills. This free program is ideal for students interested in long-term STEM engagement with one of the nation’s leading aerospace and defense companies. Read here for more information!
13. NSLC High School Summer Aerospace Program
Acceptance Rate: Competitive
Location: Johns Hopkins University (MD) & Virginia Tech (VA)
Cost: $3,895; Scholarships available
Dates: Multiple sessions offered in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions until programs are full
Eligibility: High school students aged 14-18 (including recent graduates)
The NSLC Aerospace Program offers a hands-on, team-based experience for high school students interested in aviation and space science. You will design and build an unmanned aerial vehicle, construct rockets and gliders, and explore propulsion systems through practical labs. The curriculum includes skill-building in soldering, CAD, wind turbine construction, and payload engineering. You’ll also gain insight into aerospace careers through behind-the-scenes tours and technical workshops, making this an immersive pre-college experience in aviation and engineering.
14. Boeing Core Plus Aerospace High School Internship
Cohort Size: 100+ students
Location: Boeing factories in Everett, Renton, and Auburn, Washington
Stipend: $16.28/hour (first-year interns); $17.28/hour (returning interns)
Dates: June 26 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 5
Eligibility: Washington State high school students enrolled in Core Plus Aerospace or similar hands-on manufacturing programs; Must be at least 16 years old by the start date
Hosted at Boeing factories across Washington, this six-week paid internship offers hands-on training in aerospace manufacturing. You’ll work full-time day shifts while receiving technical training in tools, mechatronics, materials science, and team-based engineering challenges. Beyond technical skills, you’ll participate in career prep, job shadowing, and professional development activities. With over 100 students selected annually, the program also provides networking opportunities with Boeing engineers and leaders, making it a powerful step into aerospace careers.
15. Million Girls Moonshot STEM Internship/Program
Cohort Size: Unspecified
Location: Nationwide (out-of-school STEM programs)
Stipend: Unpaid
Dates: Ongoing, with opportunities throughout the school year and summer
Application Deadline: Varies by local program
Eligibility: K-12 students, with emphasis on girls and students from underrepresented backgrounds in STEM
The Million Girls Moonshot is a nationwide initiative aimed at expanding access to high-quality STEM learning opportunities outside of school. You’ll engage in hands-on STEM experiences in community spaces, afterschool programs, summer camps, and science centers, with an emphasis on engineering, advanced manufacturing, and innovation. The program aims to transform the way girls perceive themselves in STEM, while supporting all youth in developing problem-solving, design, and collaboration skills. It also strives to create inclusive opportunities for the next generation of innovators.
Image Source - AFRL Scholars Program Logo