15 Fall Engineering Internships for High School Students

Ever wondered what engineering looks like outside the classroom? Internships give you the chance to move beyond worksheets and exams and explore the industry applications of engineering. You might design a small prototype, support lab experiments, or learn how engineers break down complex problems into step-by-step solutions. Along the way, you’ll develop skills that college admissions officers and future employers look for, from teamwork and problem-solving to creativity and communication. 

Why should I participate in a fall engineering internship in high school?

An engineering internship can help you figure out if engineering is the right career for you. Many internships for high schoolers offer exposure to multiple subfields within engineering, so you can see if you enjoy chemical, mechanical, civil, or environmental engineering. Having that clarity early on can guide which classes you choose, what projects you take on, and even how you craft your college applications.

Fall internships tend to be smaller and more personalized, giving you extra one-on-one time with mentors. National labs, aerospace companies, and community engineering initiatives frequently offer opportunities for high school students between September and December, allowing you to balance schoolwork with practical, part-time experience. Some opportunities even run virtually or on weekends, so you can participate no matter where you live. 

To help you get started, we’ve put together 15 fall engineering internships for high school students.

1. Sandia National Laboratories — High School & Year-Round Internships

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: $17.75 - $19/hour
Dates: Year-round internships let you work part-time, September–December, while in school
Application Deadline: Rolling; applications open throughout the year
Eligibility: High school students age 16+; GPA 3.0+; U.S. citizenship requirements may apply by division

The Sandia National Laboratories internship program allows high school students to work on projects pertaining to national security and advanced engineering. Depending on your placement, you might help with system testing, technical documentation, or lab-based research activities. Before diving in, you’ll complete onboarding that prepares you for a lab environment and introduces you to Sandia’s mission culture. Mentorship is a core part of the experience – you’ll work closely with experienced engineers and scientists, who’ll guide you through problem-solving and research. 

2. Ladder Internships

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies based on program type; need-based aid available
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Rolling based on cohort
Eligibility: High school students; must commit 10–20 hours/week

Ladder Internships connect high school students with startups, where you’ll take on real engineering projects, from building prototypes and analyzing data to creating technical models. You’ll receive dual mentorship throughout the program – one from your company mentor, who guides your project work, and another from a Ladder Coach, who provides structured feedback. Weekly check-ins ensure your project stays on track, and you’ll present your results at the end of the program. The remote format makes it easy to balance school while gaining real startup-level experience from anywhere.

3. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory — High School Intern Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA
Stipend: Paid/unpaid, depending on the specific role
Dates: August - May (academic year; includes fall)
Application Deadline: February - June
Eligibility: High school students; must be 18+; U.S. citizenship required for some roles

The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory Internship program is an opportunity for high school students to work with scientists and engineers on projects that address real-world challenges. As an intern, your responsibilities may include collecting data, assisting with instrumentation, or helping manage engineering workflows. You’ll receive formal training in lab safety and procedures before you begin, ensuring that you can work effectively with your mentor team. By the end of the program, you’ll have developed both technical and workplace skills and gained valuable insights into how large-scale research comes to life.

4. Oak Ridge National Laboratory — Next Generation STEM Internship (NGSI)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN (fall is virtual/part-time)
Stipend: $125/week (amount may vary)
Dates: August 25 - December 12, 16-17 weeks (based on previous years; dates may vary)
Application Deadline: June 15 (may vary yearly); more info here
Eligibility: High school rising juniors and seniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents, 16+, GPA 3.0+

The Next Generation STEM Internship connects high school students with mentors from Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) for a remote research experience during the fall semester. As part of this Fall Engineering internship for high school students, you’ll take part in weekly meetings with researchers and contribute to projects in materials science, energy, or computing. This program also includes optional workshops and seminars to broaden your STEM knowledge and build career-ready skills. 

5. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the country
Stipend: Varies by site/project
Dates: Vary based on the sites and/or projects
Application Deadline: Varies based on the sites and/or projects
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; high school juniors and seniors; GPA 3.0+, 16+

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program gives high school students an opportunity to work with Air Force researchers on aerospace and defense projects that shape aviation and national security. As part of this fall engineering internship for high school students, you might assist with materials testing, sensor development, or aerospace system design, depending on your placement. Due to your collaboration with scientists and engineers, you’ll gain first-hand experience of how large-scale innovation takes place and insights into potential career paths.

6. Los Alamos National Laboratory — High School Internship Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Stipend: $16.50/hour (rates updated annually)
Dates: Around October; exact dates vary by year
Application Deadline: August 1 - September 30
Eligibility: High-school seniors enrolled at a New Mexico high school; 16+ at start; GPA ≥ 2.75; pre-employment drug test required

The Los Alamos National Laboratory Internship Program is an opportunity for high-school students to work in one of the country’s top research labs. As an intern, you’ll work part-time alongside scientists and engineers on projects in engineering, technology, and other STEM areas. You’ll gain real lab experience, from version control and documentation standards to lab safety and professional workflows.  Depending on your placement, you might work on prototyping support, data collection and analysis, test setups, or process improvement tasks. By the end of the program, you’ll have developed both lab experience and gained a first-hand understanding of how scientists and engineers push discovery forward.

7. NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies (GISS)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: NASA GISS, New York, NY (some projects may be virtual)
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: Fall (exact dates vary by year)
Application Deadline: May 16 for the fall cohort
Eligibility: U.S. citizens; high school students age 16+, GPA 3.0+

Goddard Institute for Space Studies allows high school students to contribute to NASA’s groundbreaking research. As an intern, you’ll work alongside NASA researchers on engineering projects that explore topics in Earth and space science. You may contribute to data analysis or assist in model development under the supervision of a NASA mentor. The program focuses on collaboration, scientific problem-solving, and research experience, helping you understand how large-scale discoveries are made in the field of Earth and space research. 

8. Savannah River Site — Apprenticeship School (Youth Apprenticeship)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Location: Savannah River Site, Aiken, SC
Stipend: Undisclosed
Dates: Varies yearly; 12–24 months program
Application Deadline: March/April - TBD
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in the region; age 16+, with a driver's license and personal transportation

The Youth Apprentice Program at the Savannah River Site is meant for high school students interested in how technology and engineering come together in the real world. As an intern, you’ll split time between work at the site and classroom instruction, building a strong foundation in areas such as mechanical, electrical, and systems engineering. The program is designed as a long-term pathway into technical careers, giving apprentices real industry experience and mentorship from professionals in the field. 

9. Apprenticeship 2000

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Location: Partners in the Charlotte, NC region
Stipend: Undisclosed stipend; includes AAS degree + journeyman certificate
Dates: August onwards; after a paid summer pre-apprenticeship
Application Deadline: Varies yearly
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors in Mecklenburg and surrounding counties; GPA ~2.8+; strong math/physics background

Apprenticeship 2000 offers a German-style engineering apprenticeship that combines paid, on-the-job training with college coursework, giving high school students the best of both worlds – practical experience and academic achievement. You’ll spend your senior year between school and work, developing skills in mechatronics, machining, and tool & die alongside experienced engineers and technicians. The program includes tuition-free classes at Central Piedmont Community College and culminates in both a recognized journeyman card and an associate degree. The hands-on projects and daily collaboration with professionals prepare you for both immediate technical careers and higher education in engineering.

10. North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; small annual cohorts
Location: Partner companies in the Raleigh-Durham area, NC
Cost/Stipend: Undisclosed stipend; tuition covered; includes DOL credential
Dates: September onwards; after a six-week summer pre-apprenticeship
Application Deadline: Varies yearly based on pre-apprenticeship timeline
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; GPA 2.8+ recommended; strong STEM background

The North Carolina Triangle Apprenticeship Program (NCTAP) offers high school students an opportunity to train as apprentices in advanced manufacturing and engineering technologies while getting paid and earning college credit. You’ll work alongside engineers and technicians on actual projects, learning about mechatronics, precision manufacturing, and modern production systems. You’ll start with a paid summer pre-apprenticeship and continue into the fall as a part-time apprentice while finishing high school. The program includes tuition-free college classes and structured, multi-year training with partner companies. 

11. Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship — STEM (Engineering & Technology)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Employers across WI
Stipend: Undisclosed stipend
Dates: Vary by district and employer; one- or two-year options
Application Deadline: Varies by local coordinators
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; must enroll through school-based youth apprenticeship coordinators

The Wisconsin Youth Apprenticeship Program gives high school students an opportunity to train in engineering drafting, mechanical, electrical, or civil engineering. You’ll spend part of your school week working with an employer, applying classroom learning to real engineering projects. You’ll also complete safety certifications and build a portfolio of documented competencies required by the state, making you industry-ready. 

12. AJAC Youth Apprenticeship (Washington State)

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Employers and skill centers across WA
Stipend: Undisclosed stipend; OSHA-10 certification included
Dates: Starts in fall; exact dates vary; program runs across the school year
Application Deadline: Varies
Eligibility: High-school junior or senior in a partner district, GPA ≥ 2.0, Algebra 1 completed, with transportation to the work site. (Specifics may vary by occupation/school.)

The AJAC Youth Apprenticeship Program introduces high school students to advanced manufacturing and engineering trades. You’ll start with a summer bootcamp, where you’ll acquire safety and technical training to prepare for on-the-job work. In the fall, you’ll begin your apprenticeship placement, gaining hands-on experience in areas such as machining, fabrication, and mechatronics, while also taking technical courses on the side. Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with industry mentors, who will guide you through projects and help you develop the required skills for securing industry credentials.

13. Urban Alliance — High School Internship Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Washington, DC; Baltimore, MD; Chicago, IL; Detroit, MI
Stipend: Paid hourly (at least local minimum wage)
Dates: September training; October - June part-time; June - July full-time
Application Deadline: Varies by location
Eligibility: High school seniors with early-release schedules; GPA 2.0+ recommended

Urban Alliance offers part-time paid internships during the school year, giving you an opportunity to work in STEM or engineering-related roles. You’ll begin the program with several weeks of job-skills training, where you’ll learn to manage projects and work in a team.  You’ll then, in the fall, be matched with an employer and work 8–12 hours a week while continuing to receive coaching from Urban Alliance staff. Mentorship and professional development workshops are built into the program, helping you strengthen both technical and workplace skills.

14. Apprenticeship Maryland — STEM/Engineering Pathways

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Employers across Maryland partnered with school districts
Stipend: Undisclosed stipend; varies by employer
Dates: Vary by site
Application Deadline: Varies by school and employer
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors; age 16+; enrolled in a participating school

Apprenticeship Maryland lets high school students spend part of their school schedule working with employers in engineering, STEM, and advanced manufacturing fields. You’ll log structured work hours under the guidance of a mentor while also completing coursework that connects classroom learning with real-world applications. Because the program is paid and also provides credit, it is a practical way to meet graduation requirements while also exploring long-term career paths. 

15. CTE Industry Scholars Program

Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: New York, NY (NYC public schools; host employers)
Stipend: Paid (NYC minimum wage; $15/hour)
Dates: Fall cohort, 6 weeks (dates vary by year)
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort
Eligibility: NYC public high school students in CTE pathways; ages 16-18; work authorization required, additional prerequisites may be specified by host employers

CTE Industry Scholars Program introduces high school students to the world of engineering. You will be matched with an engineering-focused host employer and a workplace mentor who’ll guide you on your day-to-day projects. Depending on your placement, you might work on CAD design updates, prototyping support, testing and documentation, or helping a team scope a small build. Alongside the internship, you’ll participate in structured career-readiness workshops that cover topics such as resume writing, interviewing, and workplace communication. You’ll also have regular check-ins from program staff to ensure that your work aligns with personal and professional goals. 

Image Source - Sandia National Laboratories Logo