15 Engineering Internships for High School Students in Oregon

If you're a high school student interested in engineering, securing an internship can be one of the most valuable things you do for your academic and professional future.

Why should I do an engineering internship in high school?

Engineering internships for high school students provide hands-on experience that goes far beyond classroom learning, allowing you to work with real teams on meaningful projects. These opportunities help you build technical skills like CAD design, programming, data analysis, and problem-solving while strengthening your college applications and resume. 

What does Oregon have to offer for students interested in engineering?

Oregon's engineering ecosystem is more robust than most people outside the state realize. The Portland metro area is home to a growing cluster of tech, semiconductor, and advanced manufacturing companies. Intel has one of its largest campuses in Hillsboro, and Nike's headquarters in Beaverton draws on engineering and product development talent year-round. Further afield, Oregon State University and the University of Oregon both run research programs that occasionally extend opportunities to motivated high school students. The state's strong presence in clean energy, aerospace, and environmental engineering also means the work being done here tends to be substantive and forward-looking.

P.S. If you're in Oregon and want to see what's available on the business side too, 14 Business Internships for High School Students in Oregon is a solid list to consider. And 13 Free Online Engineering Internships for High School Students is worth bookmarking if you want remote-friendly options you can access from anywhere in the state.

1. Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) – Saturday Academy

Location: Partner sites across Portland and the Pacific Northwest
Cost/Stipend: None. Stipend: $1,000–$1,500 for most full-time internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; cohort size varies by partner site
Dates: Mid-June – August
Application Deadline: March 6
Eligibility: High school students in Oregon and Southwest Washington; must be at least 15 years old by internship start and have completed 9th grade

The Apprenticeships in Science & Engineering (ASE) Program is one of Oregon's most established pathways for high school students seeking real-world engineering experience. Over 8 weeks, you'll work full-time on technical projects at university labs, engineering firms, and technology companies throughout the Portland area and beyond. Past placements have included roles at Intel, Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, where students contribute to projects in fields like electrical engineering, environmental engineering, and computer science. The program includes professional development workshops, guidance on scientific writing, and a final research symposium where you'll present your work to industry professionals and peers. 

2. Ladder Internships

Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Varies depending on program type
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; cohort size varies by startup
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year (Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter)
Application Deadline: Spring: January, Summer: May, Fall: September, Winter: November
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can commit 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks

Ladder Internships connect high school students with fast-growing startups working on cutting-edge engineering challenges across robotics, artificial intelligence, clean energy, hardware development, and software engineering. Over 8 to 12 weeks, you'll contribute to real engineering projects while receiving mentorship from both startup founders and a dedicated Ladder Coach who helps you navigate the professional world. You'll work on tasks that could include prototyping, coding, testing systems, or analyzing engineering data. At the program's end, you'll present your work to company leadership, gaining valuable experience for college applications and future internships. You can apply here.

3. Port of Portland Summer Internship Program – Engineering Track

Location: Port of Portland offices and facilities, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: None; hourly wage (rate not publicly specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; small cohort each summer
Dates: Not specified
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (age 16+) with minimum 2.5 grade point average, particularly those from underrepresented backgrounds

The Port of Portland's Engineering Track gives high school students direct exposure to civil, environmental, and structural engineering projects that keep Portland International Airport and marine terminals running smoothly. You'll work alongside professional engineers on infrastructure projects, sustainability initiatives, and facility improvements, gaining experience with engineering software, site assessments, and project planning. The program emphasizes career exploration through job shadowing, mentorship sessions, and hands-on involvement in real Port operations. You'll also participate in group workshops focused on professional development, technical communication, and understanding public sector engineering careers. 

4. Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI) Program – OHSU

Location: Oregon Health & Science University (virtual & in-person components), Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: January – May (weekly virtual sessions), followed by optional summer internship (June – August) 
Application Deadline: November-December
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors; must be at least 16 years old by June 1 for the summer internship

The Partnership for Scientific Inquiry (PSI) Program introduces high school students to biomedical research and biomedical engineering through a semester-long spring seminar series. You'll learn how to read scientific papers, explore different research fields, and develop your research proposal with feedback from scientists. You'll also be matched one-on-one with a didactic mentor (typically a graduate student, medical student, or post-doctoral scholar) who will guide you through the 16-week course and provide career guidance. If you complete the seminar, you can apply for an 8-week summer internship at Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU), where you'll conduct research under the guidance of OHSU faculty. Students must complete at least 250 hours during their summer internship without exceeding 40 hours per week, and limited, financial-need-based scholarships are available. This engineering internship for high school students in Oregon concludes with a PSI conference where you'll present your research through lightning talks and poster presentations.

5. Kode With Klossy Summer Camps – Kode With Klossy

Location: Virtual (global); in-person locations announced in Spring 2026
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Summer (dates announced Spring 2026)
Application Deadline: Not specified (interest list currently open)
Eligibility: Young women and gender expansive students ages 13–18

Kode With Klossy Summer Camps are free, 2-week coding programs where you spend your days learning how to build real projects alongside other high school students from around the world. You’ll apply to a specific track and follow a structured curriculum focused on hands-on work, whether that means building a website, training a simple machine learning model, or designing a mobile app. No prior coding experience is required, and the curriculum is designed to start from the basics before moving into more complex concepts. Camps are taught by trained instructors and emphasize collaboration, problem-solving, and learning how technology connects to real-world issues. You’ll also join a large alumni network, which many students continue to engage with after the camp ends. 

6. Biomedical Engineering Summer Internships at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU)

Location: Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR
Cost/Stipend: None (some internships offer stipends based on availability)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; very limited spots
Dates: Dates vary based on the specific internship (typically June – August)
Application Deadline: Varies by internship (typically February - March)
Eligibility: Undergraduates and high school students; some programs require students to be 16+ years old

The Oregon Health and Science University offers competitive biomedical engineering internships that give high school students hands-on experience in biomedical imaging, cardiovascular engineering, and quantitative science. You'll work on developing research capabilities, learn to work in a professional lab environment, and gain skills in data analysis and processing. For example, among all internships, the Fluorescence Molecular Imaging Internship at the Gibbs Lab focuses on developing novel contrast agents to enhance imaging technologies through techniques such as cell culture, spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, immunostaining, and antibody conjugation. 

7. Ascentec Engineering Oregon Internships

Location: Tualatin, OR and Dallas, OR
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (wage not publicly specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: May/June – August/September (3-month minimum commitment)
Application Deadline: Rolling; apply early for summer positions
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ interested in STEM or trades; college students majoring in engineering; must live within reasonable driving distance of Tualatin or Dallas, OR

Ascentec Engineering operates high-tech, industry-leading manufacturing facilities in Oregon, where hundreds of engineers and machinists create cutting-edge precision-engineered parts for progressive clients. You'll work in one of Oregon's most advanced manufacturing environments, gaining hands-on experience with the tools and processes used to create parts for world-changing technologies. The internship requires a 3-month minimum commitment and offers both day shift and swing shift options, 5 days per week. College students majoring in engineering can also apply, and both high school and college interns will be exposed to engineering challenges in a rapidly growing company.

8. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) High School Internship

Location: PNNL facilities in Richland, WA (accessible to Eastern Oregon students)
Cost/Stipend: Paid internship (stipend provided)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Academic year: August – May (up to 4 hours/day, 5 days/week); Summer: June – August (up to full-time)
Application Deadline: Typically March or June
Eligibility: High school students interested in business or STEM careers; must be at least 18 years of age to work in PNNL laboratory spaces and some field work settings

Pacific Northwest National Laboratory offers high school students the opportunity to work on cutting-edge science and engineering projects with national security, energy, and environmental applications. Depending on your interests, you may work closely with experienced PNNL business professionals, scientists, or engineers and receive mentorship from dedicated staff members. Students can participate during the academic year (receiving elective credits through work-based learning programs at their schools) or work full-time during the summer months. In addition to hands-on work and research experience, high school interns participate in leadership development activities, laboratory tours, and communications and career awareness workshops.

9. GenCyber Camp – Oregon State University

Location: Oregon State University Campus, Corvallis, OR
Cost/Stipend: $200 (scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: July 21-25
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12; no prior cybersecurity background required

GenCyber introduces high school students to cybersecurity through hands-on problem-solving and technical challenges. You'll learn skills and techniques needed to solve cyber crimes, trace the path of cyber attackers through networks, and perform digital forensics to investigate security breaches. Taught by cybersecurity professionals, with guest speakers from diverse areas of expertise, this camp provides an excellent introduction to cybersecurity careers while offering opportunities to meet peers with similar interests. The program emphasizes creating a supportive, inclusive learning environment where participants can explore cybersecurity without prior experience. By registering, you'll also participate in a virtual Capture the Flag (CTF) cybersecurity competition in February 2026 and are encouraged to attend post-camp activities, including an industry-led Career Expo organized with the Technology Association of Oregon.

10. Blender 3D Graphics Camp – Oregon State University

Location: Oregon State University Campus, Corvallis, OR
Cost/Stipend: Program fee (needs-based scholarships available)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: June 22-26
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students entering grades 9-12; no prior 3D graphics experience required

Blender Camp teaches high school students professional 3D modeling, rendering, and animation using Blender, a free and powerful software package used in movies, TV shows, and games. Over the course of the week, you'll learn 3D viewing, object manipulation in 3D space, geometry creation, coloring, lighting, rendering, and animation techniques. Because Blender software is free, you can continue developing your skills long after the camp ends, making this an excellent foundation for careers in game design, animation, visual effects, or computer graphics engineering. You can register with friends and work on collaborative projects, and the camp covers a wide variety of topics while allowing you to pursue your specific interests. The skills you develop are applicable to fields like mechanical engineering (CAD design), architectural visualization, product design, and entertainment technology. 

11. STEM Enhancement in Earth Science (SEES) High School Summer Intern Program

Location: Virtual options available depending on project
Cost/Stipend: No stipend; housing, meals, and local transportation provided for selected on-site interns; limited travel scholarships available
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified (nationally competitive)
Program Dates: May 15 – July 21
Application Deadline: February 22
Eligibility: Current 10th and 11th-grade high school students interested in STEM

The SEES High School Summer Intern Program is a competitive research experience where you work on real Earth and space science projects using NASA mission data. The program starts with required distance learning modules in Earth and space science and, for some projects, Python, before you begin mentored research work in June. You’ll collaborate with scientists, engineers, and researchers from academia, industry, and NASA on mission-driven projects tied to national aerospace priorities. If selected for an on-site project, you’ll spend about two weeks at UT Austin working closely with your project team and mentors. All interns, including those on virtual teams, present their research at the SEES Virtual Science Symposium at the end of the program. This program is a strong fit if you’re interested in Earth science, space research, or data-driven STEM fields and want experience that mirrors how real research teams operate.

12. EnergyMag Internships

Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Information not available
Dates: Year-round; half-time (2–8 weeks in summer) and quarter-time (1–9 months) options
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class and have a minimum GPA of 3.25

EnergyMag offers flexible virtual internships for high school students interested in learning about energy storage and power engineering. During the internship, you'll research and analyze a specific company, technology, market, or other energy-related activities with guidance from a mentor who supervises your work. This experience provides insights into power engineering while helping you develop research skills, data analysis capabilities, and professional communication. As an intern, you'll research your assigned topic, find relevant information sources, compile and analyze collected data, and produce an analysis report that will be published on the EnergyMag website. Upon submission of your report, you'll receive an Internship Letter of Accomplishment. The program's year-round availability and flexible duration options make it accessible to Oregon students who can commit anywhere from a few weeks in summer to several months throughout the school year.

13. NASA's OSTEM Internship Program

Location: Various NASA locations nationwide and virtual options
Cost/Stipend: None. Most interns receive stipends determined by academic level and session length
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Varies by internship; Summer, Fall, and Spring sessions available
Application Deadline: Summer applications close February 27; Fall applications due May 22
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

NASA's Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) provides engineering and research internships to high school students at locations around the country, including virtual opportunities accessible to Oregon students. You'll gain hands-on work experience and learn from mentors who are NASA research scientists and engineers while working on short-term projects crucial to NASA's missions. Internship work may involve designing experiments, analyzing data, or helping develop new technologies for space exploration and Earth science. For example, the Tropospheric Emissions: Monitoring of Pollution (TEMPO) virtual opportunity involves atmospheric science research for a NASA satellite mission, where you'll evaluate sensors measuring ozone, nitrogen dioxide, aerosol, and UVB radiation.

14. Pathways Program – Girls Who Code

Location: Virtual (global); limited in-person Industry Immersion Days in select cities
Cost/Stipend: Free
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not specified
Program Dates: Year-round; 6–7 weeks to complete each course track
Application Deadline: Not specified (rolling applications)
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students in grades 9–12, including rising 9th graders and graduating seniors

Pathways is a flexible, online program where you explore computer science through project-based courses you complete at your own pace. You can choose from tracks like game design, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and web development, and spend several weeks building hands-on projects tied to real-world problems. Alongside coursework, you’ll have access to optional career panels, workshops, and events with corporate partners, all hosted virtually. The program is designed to fit around school, letting you balance Pathways with classes and other commitments while still building technical skills. You’ll also join an active online community where students connect, collaborate, and stay involved beyond the program. This program works well if you want structured exposure to different tech fields without the intensity of a full-time summer commitment, and if you value learning alongside a supportive peer network.

15. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) Internship Program

Location: Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, New Jersey; remote option available
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided (exact amount not specified)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: Varies by school schedule
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: Graduating high school seniors who are at least 16 years old, have worked on a plasma physics project, and have experience with coding/computer languages and/or computer-aided design

The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory, offers graduating high school seniors the opportunity to work on experimental or computational plasma physics projects with the laboratory's research and engineering staff. You'll work 40 hours per week on plasma physics research while exploring topics like fusion energy and related engineering fields, gaining hands-on experience in both research methodology and lab work. This internship provides exposure to cutting-edge energy engineering and nuclear fusion research: fields critical to developing sustainable energy solutions. While the program offers in-person experiences at Princeton's facility in New Jersey, remote internship options are available during the application process, making it accessible to Oregon students interested in energy engineering, nuclear engineering, or computational physics. 

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