Updated October 2026
TL;DR
Engineering internship opportunities give high school students in Los Angeles different ways to explore the field. Experiences represented here include laboratory investigations, startup software projects, design challenges, and science outreach, with responsibilities varying by placement. Ladder Internships offers remote startup internships where students work on real projects with a company manager and a dedicated coach.
How does an engineering idea become a working solution? NASA’s engineering design process moves from identifying a problem to building, testing, and improving a design. Practical engineering experience helps high school students connect classroom concepts with the decisions behind real technologies. Working on a technical problem can also reveal which questions and approaches interest you.
We selected options for their engineering-related experience, varied settings, and stated relevance to high school students in the Los Angeles area.
If you're interested in the connection between engineering and health, explore these medical internships for high school students in Los Angeles. To explore more options with a virtual component, take a look at these online engineering internships for high school students.
Why should you do an engineering internship?
An engineering internship can help you explore whether you enjoy turning a technical question into something that works. Practical work connects classroom ideas with testing, feedback, and the decisions involved in solving a problem. Explore startup project experience through Ladder Internships, which pairs students with a company manager and a coach.
What skills can you pick up in engineering internships?
Engineering internships can develop your ability to frame problems, evaluate evidence, and explain technical decisions. Depending on the role, you may practice prototyping, testing, coding, or laboratory research. Learning to document your reasoning and communicate results helps other people understand what you tried, what worked, and what needs improvement.
How do you choose the right option?
Consider several factors before applying, including your grade level, location, academic background, schedule, and budget. You should also check requirements related to citizenship, residency, coursework, or GPA, as these can vary significantly!
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Program type |
Top programs |
Cost/Stipend |
Best for |
|
Virtual Programs |
Fee-based (financial aid available) |
Students seeking fully remote startup experience applying coding or technical problem-solving to company projects |
|
|
Laboratory Research and School Pathways |
UCLA PATHS-UP, USC BUGS Jr, AEOP High School Internships, Engineering for Health Academy |
Free; stipends $800 - $2,500 |
Students considering biomedical engineering or sustained research with university and professional laboratory teams |
|
Transportation and Employer Placements |
Free; stipend $17.87/hr |
Students interested in transportation, aviation, or experiencing engineering and technology within a professional workplace |
|
|
Ocean Engineering and STEM Outreach |
AltaSea Research Mentorship, Cal State LA STEM Achievers Volunteers, City of STEM Volunteers, LAUSD South Robotics League |
Free; no stipend |
Students drawn to marine technology, renewable energy, mentoring younger learners, or supporting robotics and maker events. |
1. UCLA / PATHS-UP Engineering Research Center – PATHS-UP Young Scholars Program at UCLA
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stipend: $2,500 upon completing required milestones
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: June 24 – August 1; school-year Young Scholars Club follows
Application Deadline: April 10
Eligibility: High school sophomores or juniors from Greater Los Angeles; age 16+ by internship start; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; able to commute to UCLA
You conduct biomedical engineering and health-technology laboratory research at UCLA, review scientific papers, and join faculty and graduate-student discussions. You present a research poster in a virtual symposium with PATHS-UP interns from UCLA, Texas A&M, Rice, and Florida International University. The internship can help you develop laboratory research, scientific writing, and technical communication skills.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore biomedical engineering through laboratory research and communicate findings about healthcare technologies.
2. Ladder Internships - Engineering Track
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; need-based financial aid available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Around 10%; 70 students
Dates: Eight-week spring, summer, fall, and winter cohorts; Winter starts December 7
Application Deadline: Winter: November 15; other seasonal deadlines vary
Eligibility: High school students who can work 5–10 hours per week for 8 weeks
You work on startup projects in software engineering or related technical fields; past assignments include cybersecurity and coding minimum viable products. You receive guidance from both a company mentor and a Ladder coach while developing deliverables for your host company. This experience can help you develop technical problem-solving and professional communication skills.
Who is it best for: Students who want remote startup experience applying coding or technical problem-solving to practical projects.
3. Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority – Transportation Career Academy Program (TCAP)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stipend: Paid upon completion; amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; over 200 completers
Dates: June 18 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 20
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; ages 16–18; cumulative GPA 2.5+; U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or work authorization; transit-dependent LA County residents near Metro rail stations, attending schools near rail expansion
You work with Metro mentors on team projects and attend in-person training alongside virtual project meetings. In a recent cohort, the engineering project asked students to act as a consulting firm and develop a preliminary E Line station design at Atlantic and Pomona. You present your team’s solution at graduation, which can help you develop design reasoning, teamwork, and technical communication.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore transportation engineering through collaborative station design and professional mentorship.
4. USC Bridge Institute – Bridge Undergraduate Science Jr. Program (BUGS Jr.)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stipend: $800 upon completion
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~51 students
Dates: June 16 – August 1
Application Deadline: April 24
Eligibility: Current high school students, students entering high school in the upcoming school year, and students graduating from high school in Spring; no GPA minimum; U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or valid U.S. immigration status; Los Angeles-area participation; parental consent under 18; animal work: 18+; patient observation: 17+
You conduct health-focused research with USC faculty and laboratory teams on biomedical materials, instrumentation, and computational disease models. Past BUGS Jr. projects have included implementing a cochlear-implant speech processor in MATLAB and optimizing flexible temperature-sensor geometry. You also attend research and career activities and present your findings at the summer poster symposium.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore biomedical engineering through mentored laboratory research and communicate their findings.
5. California Science Center – Flight Team Interns
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stipend: $17.87/hour
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: June 15 – July 31
Application Deadline: Spring application window; exact deadline not disclosed
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors; enrolled at Math, Science, & Technology Magnet Academy, Felicitas & Gonzalo Mendez High School, or Theodore Roosevelt High School; GPA 2.0 minimum; school work permit; U.S. work authorization
You explore the science and engineering of flight through practical activities and share what you learn with Science Center visitors. You also experience a commercial flight firsthand while exploring aviation careers with industry professionals. These activities can help you develop science communication skills and connect engineering concepts with aviation work.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore aviation engineering, meet industry professionals, and explain flight science to museum visitors.
6. The Intern Project Summer Program
Location: Los Angeles County, California
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; ~136 interns
Dates: June – August; eight weeks
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Grades 10–12 at LA County schools; participation in required meetings and activities; previous Summer Program participants ineligible
You apply for employer placements that include engineering and technology, with matching based on your experience, interests, and location. You work with both a supervisor and coach while attending workshops on résumés, case studies, networking, and public speaking. This can help you explore engineering careers and build workplace communication skills.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore engineering workplaces while building professional skills through an employer placement and coaching.
7. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: U.S. research sites
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by placement and duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Can be below 15%; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Summer and academic-year opportunities; summer placements generally last 6–10 weeks during May – August
Application Deadline: Year-round applications; position-specific deadlines or rolling review
Eligibility: Age 14+; enrolled in high school, or graduated within 60 months without undergraduate enrollment; U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents; commuting access to the host laboratory; parental authorization under 18; site-specific prerequisites
You conduct Army-sponsored research with a scientist or engineer mentor in a university or Army laboratory, selecting opportunities by research interest and location. Engineering-related host research includes embedded processing, intelligent systems, materials, and structural engineering, although your duties depend on the placement. You submit a research abstract at the end of your internship for the online AEOP Research Journal.
Who is it best for: Students who want mentored engineering research in a professional laboratory and can identify a suitable placement.
8. Francisco Bravo Senior High Medical Magnet – Engineering for Health Academy (EHA)
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Two-year school pathway; junior-year engineering projects followed by senior-year USC research
Application Deadline: School application and teacher recommendation required
Eligibility: Bravo students in grades 11–12; teacher recommendation and application; biology and chemistry prerequisites listed in the course description
You design physics, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineering projects through a school pathway. You progress to biomedical engineering research at USC, with placements including microfluidics, transducers, image processing, and electrical engineering. Working with university researchers can help you connect engineering principles with medical technology and develop research skills.
Who is it best for: Students who want a sustained school pathway into biomedical engineering and university laboratory research.
9. AltaSea – Ocean STEM Research Mentorship Program — Marine Energy & Exploration
Location: San Pedro, California
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 60 students maximum
Dates: June 16 – July 16; final showcase: August 1
Application Deadline: May 22
Eligibility: High school students; 14+
You explore ocean engineering through AltaSea’s hands-on research mentorship. Previous project choices have included designing and testing underwater robots, exploring pumped-hydro renewable energy, and building solar cookers. These projects can help you develop prototyping, testing, and collaborative problem-solving skills while exploring marine technology.
Who is it best for: Students who want to explore renewable energy and ocean robotics through practical engineering projects.
10. CAL State LA – The STEM Achievers Summer Program – High School Volunteer Roles
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Two-week summer program; academic-year mentoring opportunities may also be offered
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: High school students from the area surrounding Cal State LA
You can volunteer as a mentor for middle school students exploring coding, robotics, 3D printing, and augmented or virtual reality. Cal State LA recruits local high school volunteers to mentor STEM Achievers participants alongside college mentors. This role can help you practice explaining technical concepts and supporting younger learners.
Who is it best for: Students who want to share their interest in engineering and technology through volunteer mentoring and STEM education.
11. City of STEM + LA Maker Faire — Volunteer Opportunities
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size not disclosed
Dates: Setup: April 25; event shifts: April 26; breakdown: April 27; mandatory orientation: April 10 (in person) or April 11 (Zoom)
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: 18 years or older; be able to lift and move approximately 5–30 lb, including equipment/tables/chairs; be comfortable working outdoors for more than three hours in varying weather; be able to stand for long periods; and attend a mandatory pre-event orientation
You help run the City of STEM + LA Maker Faire, a free outdoor festival at Exposition Park. Your work includes helping exhibitors set up and pack down, staffing booths, leading activities, guiding visitors, and answering their questions. The event brings engineers, technologists, and other makers together to share interactive STEAM projects, and it featured more than 230 exhibitors in 2025. Supporting booths and hands-on activities can help you build communication, teamwork, and event-logistics skills, and it puts you close to engineering and maker projects.
Who is it best for: Students who want hands-on exposure to engineering and maker projects by helping run a large community STEM event.
12. LAUSD South Conference League at Augustus F. Hawkins High School — Volunteer Roles
Location: Los Angeles, California
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; at least 6 key volunteers plus backups
Dates: October 19, November 9, December 7, and February 1
Application Deadline: Not specified; volunteers should contact the Event Partner or Event Sponsor
Eligibility: Students eligible for field reset and assistant check-in, queue, inspection, and practice-field roles; Scorekeeper Referee 15+; certified Head Referee 16+; Judge 16+ when paired with an adult judge; key volunteers attend all four sessions
You help run a VEX IQ Robotics Competition league that, in 2025–26, served elementary and middle school teams from LAUSD Region South at Augustus F. Hawkins High School. Depending on your age and training, you can inspect robots against competition rules, keep score as a referee, reset fields between matches, queue teams, or operate the tournament-management computer. These roles can help you build a practical understanding of robot design rules, match scoring, and how engineering competitions are organized and run.
Who is it best for: Students interested in robotics and engineering who want hands-on experience with competition rules, robot inspection, and event operations while supporting younger students' STEM learning.
Can an engineering internship help with your college applications?
Engineering experience can give you concrete examples of how you explored an academic interest outside the classroom. You might discuss a design decision, a research question, or a responsibility you handled, depending on your role. Explaining what challenged you and how your thinking changed can connect the experience to an informed interest in studying engineering.
How do you apply for an engineering internship?
Start with the official application instructions for the particular engineering opportunity, since eligibility, deadlines, and requested materials vary. If relevant, prepare examples of your interest, such as a class project, a coding exercise, or a technical question you have investigated. Allow time to gather any required documents and complete each step carefully.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. How does engineering connect to healthcare in these opportunities?
The health-focused entries include biomedical materials, instrumentation, computational disease models, microfluidics, and image processing. Some use university laboratory research to investigate healthcare technologies, while a school pathway combines engineering projects with later biomedical research.
2. Can I build or test physical systems as well as work on software?
Yes, past ocean-engineering projects have included designing and testing underwater robots, exploring pumped-hydro energy, and creating solar cookers. Other entries describe school engineering projects, laboratory investigations, or startup software work, so the list represents several approaches to developing and testing technical ideas.
3. Are there opportunities that extend beyond one summer?
Yes, the entries include a two-year engineering pathway, a school-year Young Scholars Club, and research opportunities that may run during the academic year. These offer different forms of continuity, from recurring school activities to longer sequences that connect classroom projects with laboratory research.
4. Which experiences can be completed remotely?
The startup option is remote, while other entries combine in-person work with virtual project meetings, a research symposium, or remote judging. A virtual component therefore does not make the entire experience online. For fully remote company project work, explore Ladder Internships.