14 Engineering Internships for High School Seniors
Internships allow high school students to gain practical experience in a field that interests them. Working in a professional environment helps you develop communication, problem-solving capabilities, and technical skills that will be valuable in your future career. They also help strengthen your college admissions profile by showing admissions officers that you’ve taken initiative to apply what you’ve learned.
For students interested in engineering, internships are especially useful because they connect theory with practical experience. You’ll see how engineers work, designing systems, testing prototypes, and solving problems that may not have a single solution. Engineering internships for high school seniors can refine your college goals, clarify which engineering branch excites you the most, and give you a solid foundation for building employable skills. To help you find the right opportunity, we’ve put together 14 engineering internships for high school seniors.
1. NASA Internships (Office of STEM Engagement)
Location: Multiple NASA centers across the US and remote options
Cost/Stipend: No cost | stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%
Dates: Summer (late May - Aug) | Fall (Aug - Dec) | Spring (Jan - May)
Application Deadline: Feb (Summer), May (Fall)
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | U.S. citizens only
NASA’s internships give high school students the opportunity to work with scientists and engineers shaping missions, propulsion systems, and spacecraft design. Projects may cover different fields such as aerodynamics, materials engineering, and robotics. You’ll see how engineering concepts are applied to national-scale missions. Mentorship from NASA professionals offers a rare opportunity to gain insight into research and teamwork at a leading federal agency. Even though selection is competitive, the program stands out as one of the best introductions to aerospace engineering.
2. Ladder Internships
Cost: Varies depending on program type. Full financial aid available.
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up internship program for ambitious high school students! In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average, raising over a million dollars. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup on real-world projects and present their work to the company. The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
3. SEES Summer High School Intern Program (NASA & UT Austin)
Location: Hybrid (on-site at the University of Texas at Austin and remote)
Cost/Stipend: No cost
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%
Dates: June 25 - July 7 (remote) | July 8 - July 22 (on-site)
Application Deadline: February 20
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors | U.S. citizens
In the SEES program, you’ll analyze and visualize NASA data while collaborating with subject matter experts. Research topics range from earth and space science to mission design and climate modeling. You’ll conclude the internship by presenting your findings at a student research symposium, which is a great way to learn scientific communication early. The mix of remote and on-campus work at UT Austin makes it accessible yet immersive. It’s a rigorous two-part experience recognized by college admissions committees nationwide.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – U.S. Department of the Navy
Location: 30+ naval labs across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $4,000 (new) or $4,500 (returning)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer months (varies depending on the lab)
Application Deadline: August 1 (previous year for next summer)
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens | age 16+ years
The SEAP allows you to conduct research alongside Navy scientists and engineers in mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering. You might help model fluid dynamics, study submarine systems, or test energy technologies. Each participant is paired with a professional mentor who supports both technical and career growth. The program combines laboratory work with applied science and offers returning students higher stipends, making it ideal if you’re considering government or defense research careers.
5. QuarkNet Summer Research Program
Location: Partner labs nationwide (including Fermilab, IL)
Cost/Stipend: Paid | $16.20 per hour approximately
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 5%
Dates: June 20 - August 4 (tentative)
Application Deadline: December 15 - January 31
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled in Illinois high schools | sophomores–seniors
QuarkNet places you at Fermilab and other partner labs to assist with particle physics and accelerator engineering projects. You’ll learn how detector systems are designed, calibrated, and used for data collection. Working on hands-on experiments gives you a strong foundation for how engineering enables modern physics discoveries. You can expect hands-on tasks, data analysis, and presentations that simulate real research settings. It is an excellent paid opportunity for Illinois-based seniors who are interested in instrumentation or electrical engineering.
6. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) High School Internship
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Cost/Stipend: No cost | stipend provided
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Summer (10 - 16 weeks)
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the position
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ years | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The Idaho National Laboratory offers high school internships in energy, cybersecurity, and engineering research. You’ll spend about 80% of your time in the lab working directly with a mentor and the remaining time participating in workshops and enrichment sessions. Projects explore fields such as clean energy, critical infrastructure protection, and advanced transportation technology. The program encourages you to apply classroom concepts to real-world scientific problems. It’s a great way to experience how federal labs drive engineering innovation and sustainability.
7. SPARK Summer Internship Program (SparkSIP)
Location: Greater Seattle area or remote
Cost/Stipend: Stipend of $500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Under 5%
Dates: 6 - 8 weeks (June - August)
Application Deadline: April (tentative)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents who are 16+ years and must commit 40 hours/week for 8 - 12 weeks
SPARK pairs high school students with research sponsors working in fields such as machine learning, bioengineering, and computer vision. You’ll select projects that are matched based on your skills and goals. Mentors include university professors and industry professionals who help guide your technical progress throughout the internship. Past projects have included early disease detection, DNA sequencing, and neural network design. If you’re interested in combining coding with biomedical or engineering applications, this program offers the perfect mix of challenge and mentorship.
8. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost | stipend provided ($468.80/week approximately)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective and competitive
Dates: Summer (10 weeks) | fall & spring sessions available
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the site and term
Eligibility: U.S. citizens | upper high school students (16+ years) with a minimum GPA of 3.0 | full-time availability (40 hours/week)
The AFRL Scholars Program allows you to work alongside Air Force scientists and engineers on advanced research projects. Topics include aerospace design, complex electromagnetic structures, and environmental systems. You’ll participate in AFRL labs, attend technical seminars, and contribute to ongoing research initiatives. Interns gain a firsthand experience of how federal research integrates engineering, physics, and defense innovation. For high school seniors interested in aerospace or mechanical engineering, this paid opportunity provides unmatched exposure to real research environments.
9. Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship Program
Location: Multiple in-person sites across the U.S. | virtual options available
Cost/Stipend: No cost | paid hourly (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: 9 - 10 weeks, June - August
Application Deadline: December 19
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ years who live within commuting distance of a participating Lockheed Martin facility
The Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship allows you to work with engineers on projects related to aerospace and defense technology. You’ll gain exposure to advanced systems, including satellites, rockets, and other mission-critical components. Each intern contributes to ongoing projects while also participating in professional development and networking sessions. The program combines technical work with structured mentorship, offering a deep insight into how large-scale aerospace projects are developed. This paid opportunity is an excellent starting point if you’re curious about engineering in a global organization.
10. Textron Aviation High School Internships
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost | paid (amount varies depending on the position)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: Fall, spring, and summer sessions (summer internships last around 6 weeks)
Application Deadline: Applications open in January (Summer), July (Fall), and October (Spring)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens aged 16 - 19 years enrolled in high school
Textron Aviation offers hands-on internships in engineering and manufacturing for high school students interested in aviation. You’ll work alongside professionals who design and build aircraft for commercial, government, and military sectors. Projects often involve engineering design, production processes, and problem-solving within manufacturing environments. Depending on your interests, you may also explore related departments such as IT, finance, or operations. With year-round opportunities, this program lets you see the entire scope of creating modern aircraft while building valuable early career experience.
11. Spirit AeroSystems High School Internship Program
Location: Wichita, Kansas
Cost/Stipend: Paid ($14 per hour)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: To be announced
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in April
Eligibility: Juniors and seniors aged 16+ years | U.S. citizens
Spirit AeroSystems invites high school students to experience the engineering and production processes behind modern aircraft. You’ll gain hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing, materials science, and design. Interns rotate through departments such as fabrication, composites, machining, and supply chain to understand how large aerospace systems are built. The program is designed to bridge classroom knowledge with technical application in a corporate environment. Top performers may be invited back or considered for full-time roles after graduation, making it a great entry point into aerospace engineering.
12. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Internship Program
Location: Princeton, New Jersey | remote options available
Cost/Stipend: Paid (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Very competitive
Dates: 8 - 10 weeks during the summer (June - August)
Application Deadline: Typically closes in early March
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors aged 16+ years | U.S. citizens or permanent residents
The PPPL High School Internship offers graduating seniors an opportunity to work on plasma physics and fusion energy research. You’ll collaborate with scientists and engineers on projects that integrate physics, engineering, and computing. This internship helps you explore how plasma research contributes to aerospace, energy, and materials innovation. Most participants work full-time during the summer, gaining exposure to experimental and computational research tools. It’s a competitive and prestigious opportunity that builds a strong foundation in both physics and engineering before college.
13. NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST campuses - Gaithersburg, Maryland | Boulder, Colorado
Cost/Stipend: No cost | unpaid (students must cover housing and transportation)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Dates: June to August
Application Deadline: February (typically)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens | Rising juniors, seniors, and recent graduates | Minimum GPA of 3.0
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) allows students to contribute to real research at one of the United States’ top federal laboratories. Depending on your interests, you can work in one of six divisions, such as the Information Technology Laboratory, which focuses on software engineering, computer security, and network systems. You’ll collaborate with NIST scientists and engineers on projects that involve coding, cryptography, biometrics, or data modeling. The program is designed for students who want to apply their classroom knowledge in a professional research environment. It’s a strong option if you’re interested in developing software and engineering skills before college.
14. University of Nebraska at Omaha – Summer High School Internship Program
Location: Omaha College of Information Science & Technology, Omaha, Nebraska
Cost/Stipend: Free | paid internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Below 10%
Dates: June to July
Application Deadline: March (typically)
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ years from Omaha’s 10 public school districts | must have completed Algebra I with at least a B grade
The University of Nebraska’s High School Internship Program offers research opportunities in IT and software engineering. You’ll work 20 hours a week in a university research lab, collaborating with faculty and students on active projects. Past interns have explored topics such as cybersecurity, robotics, and mobile app development for iOS and Android. The program also includes an on-campus interview and direct mentorship from professors in computer science and engineering. For high school seniors seeking a selective, research-oriented internship with real coding and design work, this one stands out as an excellent choice.
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