9 Internships for Chemical Engineering Students
Internships can play a crucial role in shaping a college student’s career by adding depth to their resume, enhancing employability, and providing exposure to their field of interest. They bridge the gap between academic learning and practical application, helping you gain confidence, build skills, and explore potential career paths. Internships allow you to work on projects, solve problems, and collaborate with industry professionals.
For those pursuing chemical engineering or related disciplines, internships are valuable for gaining insight into industrial processes, laboratory research, and sustainability efforts. With so many opportunities available, we’ve narrowed it down to the top 9 internships for chemical engineering students. These programs provide meaningful experiences for college students who want to develop career-ready skills.
1. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: Virtual / NASA centers across the country
Stipend: While most interns receive a stipend, certain opportunities are unpaid
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Fall: May 16
Dates: Spring Session: Mid-January to Early May | Summer Session: Late May to August | Fall Session: Late August to Mid-December
Eligibility: U.S. citizens, full-time students (high school through graduate level) aged 16 at the time of application, with a 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
NASA’s OSTEM internships allow you to work alongside experts in engineering, aeronautics, and space science. You'll work on projects in areas like spacecraft design and robotics development while building your technical and analytical skills. Opportunities are offered during the spring, summer, and fall, with both full-time and part-time roles available across multiple NASA centers and remotely. The program provides flexible scheduling and is competitive. To learn more or apply, visit NASA’s official website for current openings.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,490
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: April 13 (Summer Cohort Regular I Deadline)
Dates: The program runs for 8 weeks, starting June 2 for the summer cohort
Eligibility: College students and young professionals
The Ladder University Internship Program is an 8-week, hands-on experience designed for ambitious college students and early professionals. It connects participants with innovative startups across sectors such as Tech, Consulting, Media, and more. Interns dedicate 5–10 hours per week to project-based work, guided by a dedicated company mentor across eight structured sessions.
Over the course of the program, you'll complete two key deliverables that provide real-world experience and serve as strong additions to your portfolio. You'll actively contribute to meaningful projects, receive expert mentorship, and present your final work directly to the startup team. By the end, you’ll have developed valuable industry skills, secured a professional reference from your mentor, and created a standout project to showcase on your resume.
3. National Institute for Standards and Technology - Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: National Institute of Standards and Technology
Stipend: $7,810 for the 11-week program
Cohort Size: 150
Application Deadline: February 6
Dates: Main 11-week program: May 19 – August 1 | Offset 11-week program: June 2 – August 15 | 9-week program: June 2 – August 1
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students in an accredited two-year or four-year college
The NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship offers an 11-week research experience in one of the institute’s scientific labs. As a chemical engineering student, you might work on projects like developing models for electron-photon transport in nano-CT systems or non-destructive methods for monitoring polymer degradation. Past projects have involved laboratory work utilizing technologies such as Raman spectroscopy, LC-MS, and automated digestion systems. Your work will support the advancement of standards and measurement technologies used by industries worldwide. The program gives you a strong foundation in chemical process analysis, materials characterization, and applied measurement science.
4. Chemical Engineering (Process) Internship - Fluor Corporation
Location: Fluor Corporation
Stipend: $40,000 - $66,000 / year
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: May 21
Dates: Start date is between June 1 and July 1
Eligibility: Working toward a Chemical Engineering degree in junior or senior year with at least a 3.0 GPA.
As a Chemical Engineering (Process) Intern at Fluor Corporation, you’ll support engineering teams on projects involving planning, documentation, and technical reporting. You’ll gain experience in drafting specifications, tracking project deviations, and establishing workflow procedures—tasks central to process engineering. Your responsibilities may include preparing status reports and participating in progress tracking meetings. This internship helps you develop essential skills in communication, time management, and technical writing, all of which are critical in the chemical engineering field. You’ll also participate in Fluor University training sessions and contribute to internal knowledge-sharing platforms.
5. ORISE Undergraduate Internships and Fellowships
Location: Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education
Stipend: Paid, amount depends on the opportunity you apply for
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: Varies by opportunity. Click here to find available opportunities.
Dates: Depends on the opportunity you apply for. Click here to find available opportunities.
Eligibility: Application requirements vary based on the opportunity you apply for.
ORISE Undergraduate Internships and Fellowships are designed to provide students in STEM fields, including chemical engineering, with research experience. You'll work on projects in chemical exposure modeling, environmental analysis, or materials behavior at federal research facilities like AFIT or DCPH-P. These roles offer lab training and professional mentorship across summer, fall, or spring terms. You'll strengthen your analytical, problem-solving, and teamwork skills in interdisciplinary settings. The program bridges academic learning with applied research in chemical engineering at national laboratories.
6. Chemical Engineer Summer Internship - TDA Research
Location: TDA Research
Stipend: $20/hour
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: May 18
Dates: Start date is between June 1 and July 1
Eligibility: Actively enrolled in a Bachelor’s program in Chemical Engineering or a related field
As a Chemical Engineering Intern at TDA Research, you’ll support R&D projects by conducting lab experiments, analyzing data, and maintaining detailed records. You’ll work with chemical handling, prototype assembly, and testing of devices and systems. Your tasks may involve troubleshooting experimental setups, identifying trends in results, and assisting with the development of technical reports. You might utilize analytical tools such as GC, HPLC, NMR, FTIR, and UV/VIS spectroscopy, and gain exposure to microcontroller platforms and electronic hardware. The role includes safety training and work with hazardous materials, offering experience in chemical engineering research and development.
7. Stanford Engineering Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: Stanford Engineering
Stipend: $5,500
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Application Deadline: November 1 - February 1
Dates: June 21 - August 16
Eligibility: Currently-enrolled full-time non-Stanford undergraduates at an accredited public or private college or university; 18 years or older; GPA of 3.0 and above
The Stanford SURF program offers you the opportunity to explore graduate-level research through a summer experience. As a chemical engineering student, you can work on projects involving sustainable polymer engineering, 3D printing, or nanomaterial development for space applications. You will gain exposure to techniques such as mechanical testing, polymer synthesis, and material characterization. Beyond research, SURF includes mentorship, coding instruction, industry visits, and a research symposium to support your academic growth. This program is designed to prepare you for graduate studies while building a sense of community and promoting diversity in engineering.
8. Chemical Engineer Intern - Holcim USA
Location: Holcim USA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance Rate: Moderately selective
Application Deadline: Not specified
Dates: Start date is June 2
Eligibility: Enrolled in an undergraduate program in Chemical, Mechanical, or Industrial Engineering
Holcim USA’s Chemical Engineer Internship provides you with exposure to process engineering and sustainability-driven manufacturing. Your responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments, analyzing operational data, and researching improvements in laminator technologies. You'll support process safety initiatives and help identify inconsistencies in ISO standard procedures across production facilities. By the end of the internship, you’ll present your findings to company leadership and explore potential full-time opportunities. The program is designed for students interested in applying chemical engineering to large-scale, sustainable industrial operations.
9. Mechanical/Chemical Engineering Intern - Taghleef Industries
Location: Taghleef Industries
Cost: Free
Acceptance Rate: Selective
Application Deadline: May 31
Dates: Start date between June 1 and July 1
Eligibility: Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related field
The Chemical Engineering Internship at Taghleef Industries offers experience in process optimization for polymer film production. You'll support evaluations of coating and extrusion systems, analyze performance data, and help implement strategies for efficiency and consistency. Using Excel and Power BI, you’ll visualize key metrics and present recommendations to cross-functional teams. Your responsibilities include testing materials, assisting in equipment maintenance planning, and developing process documentation. This role blends technical analysis with practical involvement in a chemical manufacturing environment.