Updated October 2026
If you are interested in engineering, high school can be the time to explore the field and test your interests. This is where an engineering internship comes in! Internships in the field can give you a chance to work on projects, learn from engineers or researchers, and see how ideas from your classes are used to solve real problems. Depending on the program, you might explore areas such as aerospace, mechanical, electrical, computer, or environmental engineering.
TL;DR
This article discusses 13 California-based engineering internships for high schoolers, ranging from paid research positions at national labs to startup experiences and tech exposure. Most programs run over the summer for 6 to 12 weeks, though a few also offer year-round options and multi-year opportunities. Many of them come with stipends. Depending on the program, you may explore real STEM workplaces, contribute to research, or engage in technical work. It is worth checking each option’s eligibility, dates, deadlines, and features to choose the right internship for you.
Why should you do an engineering internship in high school?
An engineering internship can help you explore what engineering looks like outside the classroom. You may get to work on a research or design project, visit a laboratory or engineering facility, or work alongside engineers and researchers. For students who are still deciding which area of engineering interests them, an internship can also give you a chance to compare different fields and types of work. You can use the experience to get a better sense of whether engineering is something you want to study in college.
How do you apply for an engineering internship?
The application process varies by program, so start by checking the eligibility requirements and application instructions for each opportunity. Some programs may ask for your transcript, resume, essays, recommendations, or other application materials, while others may have a simpler process. You should also check whether the internship is limited to students from a particular school, district, city, or region and whether you need to meet specific grade-level or coursework requirements. If this is your first internship, you can also start with this guide on applying for internships without any experience. Since many summer internships have deadlines several months before the program begins, give yourself enough time to gather your materials and complete your application.
In this blog, we have come up with a list of 13 engineering internships for high school students in California that you can consider. We have focused on options that offer hands-on exposure to different engineering fields and the chance to network with professionals and peers.
If you are also looking for other opportunities in the field, check out our selection of summer engineering programs in California. You can also explore online engineering internships for high school students if you are looking for remote options!
Compare your options
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
Federal and national lab research |
SEAP, AFRL Scholars Program, AEOP, Sandia National Laboratories, Berkeley Lab’s Experiences in Research (EinR), Director's Apprenticeship Program (BLDAP) @ Berkeley Lab |
Free, with stipends ranging from ~$500/week to $4,500 for the summer |
Students who want a paid, structured research internship at a government lab and are comfortable with a U.S. citizenship or residency requirement; Berkeley Lab opportunities are limited to Bay Area students |
|
University and career-exploration programs |
SHTEM (Stanford), Immerse Education's Career Insights Programme |
$95 application fee for SHTEM and no stipend; fee varies for Immerse, with aid available |
Students who want an academic, interdisciplinary research experience or 1:1 career coaching and industry site visits over a shorter, more flexible commitment |
|
Tech and startup Internships |
Fees with aid available for Ladder; Stipend available for Meta interns |
Students who want exposure to a tech company or startup, whether remotely from anywhere (Ladder) or in person in Menlo Park with local eligibility requirements (Meta) |
|
|
Community and science education internships |
California Science Center Community Teen Interns, California Academy of Sciences CiS, The Intern Project |
Stipends available (for all three) |
Students who want a paid, community-facing role, such as teaching science to the public, working a multi-year commitment at a museum, or getting placed in a local LA County organization |
13 Engineering Internships for High School Students in California
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 to 20 hours a week for 8 to 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML, engineering, and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for virtual internship experiences and practical exposure to startup culture within engineering!
2. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: U.S. Department of the Navy laboratories (multiple sites nationwide, including in CA)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend for first-time participants, and $4,500 stipend for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 placements across 38+ labs nationwide
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; term can be extended to 10 weeks.
Application deadline: November 1; applications open on August 1.
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens; some labs accept permanent residents and dual citizens (check individual lab pages for additional requirements here)
SEAP places high school students in Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratories to conduct real Naval research for 8 to 10 weeks during the summer. At SEAP, you will explore naval research work, including engineering-focused projects, while working alongside scientists and engineers in an advanced lab setting. You will contribute to real projects, connect with naval researchers, and learn about careers in research and engineering. The program will also let you shadow professionals in STEM and attend seminars, meetings, and presentations alongside other high schoolers and scientists.
Who it’s best for: U.S. high schoolers looking for a paid internship focused on naval STEM research.
3. Immerse Education’s Career Insights Programme
Location: Various sites, including San Francisco, CA
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through the bursary programme
Acceptance rate/cohort size: About 7 students/class
Dates: Two weeks during the summer
Application deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school students, ages 15 – 18
Immerse Education’s Career Insights Pathway lets high school students explore careers in major global industry hubs, with tracks available across fields, including engineering. You will engage in project-based engineering-focused learning with companies, attend workshops, and visit real offices, factories, and headquarters. The schedule will include weekly in-person 1:1 career coaching and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback on your resume and overall profile. You will also work on projects and present your findings to industry experts at the end of the program. You can find more details about the application here.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in career-focused training who are also seeking one-on-one support to boost their profile before college.
4. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple Air Force research sites in the U.S., including sites in CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is typically $506.80/week; a few sites offer bigger stipends + travel coverage (check details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective program; exact details not publicly available
Dates: Vary by site and internship; typically a minimum commitment of 8 weeks is required, with most internships running 10 – 12 weeks in the spring, summer, or fall.
Application deadline: Summer: January 10 | Fall/Spring: Not specified
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens and 16+
The ARFL Scholars Program is a paid internship that offers high school and college students research-focused experiences at Air Force bases and research facilities. You will join an active project team at an Air Force lab, with placements spanning various fields in STEM, including engineering. You will work under the supervision of scientists and engineers, learn about Air Force research and development, and explore STEM career paths over the course of eight weeks or more. You may get to work with real data, design experiments, or document experimental or research findings. You may also continue participating in the program after completing your first internship term.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in exploring Air Force research and securing a credible paid engineering internship experience before college.
5. AEOP (Army Educational Outreach Program) Internships
Location: Multiple research sites across the country, including in CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June – August; dates vary by opportunity
Application deadline: Varies by lab position
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; specific roles can have additional criteria
AEOP places high school interns at U.S. Army research centers and university labs to work with scientists and engineers on research within STEM. As an intern, you will work under the guidance of a scientist or engineer, contributing to real research projects. You may help run or design experiments, collect data, and conduct lab work. The program will also offer access to mentorship from a STEM professional, workshops and instructional sessions, and opportunities to access the broader program network.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in U.S. Army-centric research who are looking for credible, lab-based internship experience.
6. Meta Summer Academy
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Stipend: Paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~200 students in total since the program began.
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores who reside year-round in North Fair Oaks, East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0
Meta Summer Academy is a paid internship that offers high schoolers exposure to the inner workings of a technology company. Over six weeks, you will attend workshops covering coding basics, digital media, and project-based tasks that reflect real-world workplace operations and connect software engineering to business. The program will also help you see how multiple teams contribute toward product development. Mentorship from professionals will help you learn about the day-to-day responsibilities in tech roles. You will also work on building communication and teamwork skills essential in workplace settings. The experience can offer insights into pathways within tech and business.
Who it’s best for: Students in and around Menlo Park looking for a paid internship at a leading tech organization.
7. California Science Center Community Teen Interns
Location: California Science Center, Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Paid; amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: Year-round; schedule varies by program cycle
Application deadline: TBA
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10 – 11 with a minimum 2.0 GPA
The California Science Center’s Community Teen Intern program gives high school students the opportunity to support science education and work with community partners. As an intern, you help deliver science classes and educational activities, while also gaining experience working with students and educators. The program will include both virtual and in-person activities, depending on the position and program cycle. You will work as part of a team while also developing the ability to work independently. The experience can help you engage with science and engineering concepts while building public speaking skills.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in science education who want a paid, hands-on experience at a science museum.
8. California Academy of Sciences Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA
Stipend: Paid; amount typically exceeds minimum wage rates
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not officially disclosed
Dates: Multi-year, year-round commitment; you will work after school and on Saturdays during the school year, and on weekdays during the summer.
Application deadline: TBA; the next application window opens in February
Eligibility: Current 9th or 10th graders enrolled full-time in an SFUSD school, with a GPA of 2.5 or higher and a grade of C or better in science and math; students must be able to obtain a valid U.S. work permit and commit to the program for two to three years through high school graduation.
CiS is a multi-year, paid internship designed to help you learn, teach, and engage with science and engineering in and around the California Academy of Sciences. You will join as a rising sophomore or junior and continue through graduation, spending most of the time conducting outdoor fieldwork and facilitating STEM learning experiences for visitors on the museum's public floor. Twice a month, you will attend training sessions to build science communication skills, learn from professionals about STEM career paths, and access guidance on topics like financial literacy and college applications. As the internship progresses, you will join project groups to work on a research or environmental action project led by an Academy researcher or partner. You may also get to serve on the CiS Leadership Council or take part in an individualized mentorship as an intern.
Who it’s best for: Students in San Francisco who are interested in science education and seeking a long-term paid internship.
9. Internships @ Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; competitive hourly pay and benefits available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Year-round and summer internships (10 to 12 weeks) available
Application deadline: Varies based on specific opportunity
Eligibility: Students who are 16+ and enrolled full-time at accredited high schools, colleges, or universities; a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate and high school students applying for clerical or labor-based positions and 3.0 for undergraduate and high school students applying for R&D, technical, or business positions is required
Sandia National Laboratories’ internships and co-op programs are designed for students interested in research and technical work opportunities within lab settings. As an intern, you will contribute to real projects focused on national security, cybersecurity, engineering, energy, and advanced scientific research. Depending on your placement, you will work with researchers, engineers, or other professionals while receiving guidance throughout the experience. In addition to the assigned placement work, you may gain access to networking events, employee resource groups, leadership activities, and professional development programs that can help you build workplace skills and explore careers in STEM.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in paid lab-based experiences and willing to commute to Sandia’s facilities in Livermore, CA.
10. Berkeley Lab’s Experiences in Research (EinR)
Location: Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA
Stipend: $500/week
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10%
Dates: June 15 – July 24
Application deadline: March 22
Eligibility: 10th – 12th graders who are 16+, have a 3.0+ GPA, and live in Northern California
Every summer, the Berkeley Lab runs EinR, a six-week paid experience for high school students interested in STEM and STEM-adjacent careers. You will work approximately 30 – 35 hours per week alongside Berkeley Lab professionals on projects in STEM areas, building skills in coding, data science, administration, communication, and experimental research. You can indicate your interest in an engineering-focused project placement during the application process. You may assist scientists and engineers in lab work or behind-the-scenes operations. During the summer, you will also build skills in science communication and teamwork and connect with your assigned mentor.
Who it’s best for: Students in Berkeley who want to experience working within a lab on real projects.
11. Berkeley Lab Director’s Apprenticeship Program (BLDAP): Interdisciplinary Pathways to Machine Learning and Data Science
Location: Berkeley Lab, Berkeley, CA
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $500/week stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: June 16 – July 24
Application deadline: March 22
Eligibility: Current 10th- and 11th-grade public school students in Alameda, Contra Costa, and San Francisco counties; students must be at least 16 by the program start date and able to commute to Berkeley Lab.
Berkeley Lab’s Director’s Apprenticeship Program is a project-based STEM program focused on interdisciplinary pathways to machine learning and data science. You will take an introductory Python course, learn about data science, and participate in scientific projects and bioscience-related experiments. The program will also offer opportunities to interact with researchers and operations staff. You will work on building skills such as problem-solving, communication, and collaboration while learning about Berkeley Lab’s research activities. The program will wrap up with a final presentation where you will share your work with peers and mentors.
Who it’s best for: Students in the Bay Area who are interested in STEM, coding, data science, and exploring research at a national laboratory.
12. SHTEM: Summer Internships for High Schoolers at Stanford University
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Cost/Stipend: $95 non-refundable application fee; no stipend, but financial assistance may be available if required.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: June 22 – August 14 (tentative)
Application deadline: February 1 (tentative; details TBA for the next cycle)
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are at least 14 by June 20 and are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
SHTEM is a research-focused internship where you will work in small groups on interdisciplinary projects guided by Stanford mentors. The program emphasizes connections between STEM and the humanities, exposing you to how fields like engineering, tech, biology, and humanities intersect in research. You will engage with research questions through assigned readings, discussions, and project development, all of which reflect university-level academic practices. Regular meetings and collaborative work will simulate research group dynamics. You may get to present your work at the end of the program.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for an introduction to interdisciplinary research and the opportunity to work on hands-on projects.
13. The Intern Project
Location: Various organizations in Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Paid + college credit available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Cohorts in the fall, spring, and summer
Application deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: LA County 10th – 12th graders
The Intern Project places students in real work environments where they can contribute to projects across industries, including in engineering. During the internship, you will complete placement-specific tasks and participate in workshops covering skills such as communication, project management, and career readiness. Mentorship and informational interviews will help you learn about career paths and professional expectations. You will additionally network with peers and professionals across areas, building a broader understanding of workplace expectations and environments. The experience is also designed to prepare you for future academics and college applications.
Who it’s best for: LA County high schoolers looking for paid local internships and mentored work experience.
What skills can you develop in engineering internships?
The skills you build will depend on the type of internship and the projects you work on. You may learn about engineering design, research methods, data analysis, programming, prototyping, laboratory techniques, or technical tools. You can also practice skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and presenting your work. Since engineering internships can cover many fields, look at the specific projects and activities offered by each program rather than assuming that every internship will teach the same skills. Here’s how you can choose the right internship based on your interests and goals.
Can an engineering internship help with your college applications?
An engineering internship can give you meaningful experiences to discuss when applying to college, particularly if you are interested in studying engineering or a related subject. Here is what these programs offer:
Specific examples of your interest in engineering: You can use projects or research from your internship to show how you have explored engineering beyond your regular coursework.
Explanation for why you want to study engineering: Your experience can give you concrete examples of what you found interesting about engineering and why you want to continue exploring it in college.
Demonstrated application of school concepts: If you used concepts from math, science, computer science, or other classes during your internship, you can explain how the experience helped you see those subjects differently.
Meaningful material for essays and interviews: Instead of simply saying that you are interested in engineering, you can discuss a specific project, problem, or activity that influenced your interests in the field.
Clarity regarding your specific academic interest: If your internship exposes you to a particular area, such as aerospace or electrical engineering, you may be able to explain how that experience shaped your choice of subjects you plan to explore in college.
The internship itself does not automatically strengthen a college application. What you can discuss about the experience, for example what you worked on, what you learned, and how it influenced your interests, is what makes the internship useful when you are describing your academic journey.
Common questions about these engineering internships
1. What GPA do I need to qualify?
It depends on the program. Some options require a minimum 2.0 or 2.5 GPA, potentially with a C or better in science and math; a couple of options require a 3.0 GPA or higher. Others don't list a specific GPA requirement.
2. What engineering subjects should I study before applying for an internship?
The coursework you need depends on the internship. Some programs specifically look for students who have taken science and math courses, while others may involve areas such as computer science, coding, or engineering research.
3. Do I need to live in California to apply for these internships?
Not always. Some programs, like Ladder Internships, are fully remote and open to students anywhere. Others have sites in multiple states, including California, and are open to any eligible U.S. student. However, several programs are geographically restricted to neighbourhoods or counties in California.
4. Are these internships paid?
Most offer some form of monetary award, from standard hourly wages to a total stipend of $4,500. A few are unpaid or fee-based, but scholarships may be available.