16 Industrial Engineering Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student curious about the field of industrial engineering, gaining practical experience early on is one of the best ways to explore the field. Industrial engineering involves improving processes, systems, and operations, whether that’s in manufacturing, logistics, healthcare, supply chains, or energy systems. It combines engineering, math, and data analysis to solve problems around efficiency, productivity, and sustainability.
An internship in this field can give you exposure to areas like operations research, quality control, systems optimization, data-driven decision-making, and even supply chain management. You’ll also build important skills in problem-solving, project management, and analytical tools such as simulation or process modeling. Plus, this experience shows college admissions officers that you’re serious about pursuing engineering, while giving you a clearer idea of which specializations interest you most.
Here, we’ve curated a list of 15 industrial engineering internships you can explore.
1. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; varies by location
Location: NASA centers across the U.S., with some remote options
Cost/Stipend: No cost; varies based on academic level and session length
Dates: Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August)
Application Deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
Eligibility: Full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers you the opportunity to contribute to space, engineering, and technology projects under the guidance of NASA mentors. You may work on tasks such as 3D modeling, systems design, aerospace research, or civil engineering projects. You’ll gain insight into NASA’s operations and collaborate with experts across fields like robotics, avionics, and mission planning. The program includes training, mentoring, and access to cutting-edge technology and tools. During this internship, you may be involved in designing experiments, analyzing data from space missions, or developing new technologies.
2. Ladder Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective; ~15%
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: Varies with program type
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application Deadline: Varies with the cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, gap year, or undergrad students able to commit 5-15 hrs/week for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships offers flexible, remote internships that pair ambitious high school students with high-growth startups in industries like engineering, sustainability, data science, deep tech, AI/ML, health tech, and more. You will work on current projects with mentorship and guidance from your startup manager, and support from a dedicated Ladder coach. If you’re interested in engineering, you may get to work in product development, systems modeling, prototyping, or research-based roles. Each internship includes eight guided sessions with the host company and weekly skill-building sessions. At the end, you will present your work and receive feedback.
3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies; limited spots for high school students
Location: Multiple AFRL sites across the world
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid $468.80 per week
Dates: The program typically offers summer internships, with a limited number of positions during the fall and spring semesters. Dates vary each year. ARFL internships typically run 10–12 weeks, with a minimum requirement of 8 weeks. They can last up to 14 weeks based on mentor preferences and funding availability
Application Deadline: January (may vary with location)
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher (recommended)
The AFRL Scholars Program offers you the chance to work on actual engineering challenges under the guidance of Air Force scientists and engineers. You’ll work on projects in areas such as mechanical design, aerospace systems, adaptive optics, complex modeling, and additive manufacturing. Your lab placement will be based on your skills and research interests, and you will gain experience in using lab equipment, simulations, and experimental testing. You may also get to tour labs, participate in cohort events, and develop a deeper understanding of how industrial engineering supports defense innovation. Opportunities are also available for undergraduates and graduates, so high schoolers should filter accordingly.
4. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) High School Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; varies by research area
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, Idaho
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will be paid (approximately $16 per hour)
Dates: 6-10-week summer internships, typically running from June through August
Application Deadline: February/March
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors (or recent graduates) who are at least 16 years old. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) high school internship gives you the opportunity to contribute to current Department of Energy research projects. Over six weeks, you’ll spend about 80% of your time working closely with lab mentors on projects in areas like energy storage, cybersecurity, transportation systems, or advanced manufacturing. The remaining time is dedicated to enrichment activities such as site tours, seminars, and professional training. You’ll also get the chance to present your findings through posters and collaborative reports, giving you experience in both research and communication. You can apply to multiple project tracks, whether your interests lie in engineering, science, or even business fields, allowing you to tailor the program to your strengths and career goals.
5. Lumiere Research Scholar Program
Location: Remote — you can participate in this program from anywhere in the world!
Cost: Varies depending on program type
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort.
Program Dates: Varies by cohort: summer, fall, winter, or spring. Options range from 12 weeks to 1 year.
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school and demonstrate a high level of academic achievement.
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler. The program pairs high school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here. While this isn’t a traditional internship, it follows the work-learn structure of one quite closely!
6. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) – SHIP
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; limited spots available
Location: Boulder, Colorado | Gaithersburg, Maryland
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: June 23 – August 8
Application Deadline: February 6
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The NIST Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP) is an eight-week internship that gives you the chance to work directly with government scientists and engineers at the National Institute of Standards and Technology. You’ll be paired with a mentor in one of NIST’s six specialized labs, where you can explore fields such as robotics, smart manufacturing, biotechnology, cybersecurity, or materials science. Your projects may involve running simulations, testing equipment, developing automation models, or documenting research findings. Beyond lab work, you’ll take part in professional seminars, receive lab safety training, and gain insight into how federal research supports innovation and national priorities. The program emphasizes practical learning and professional growth, helping you build essential technical skills.
7. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) – High School Internships
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Over 100 locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a stipend that varies with location
Dates: Varies based on the internship availability, typically in the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents currently in high school
With the AEOP High School Internship, students get to work alongside a university researcher or U.S. Army scientist on current science and engineering projects. You’ll be paired with a professional mentor who will guide you through your research and help you gain experience with advanced tools and facilities. Depending on your placement, you could explore fields like nanotechnology, robotics, or chemical defense while contributing to projects that address real-world challenges. You’ll also practice research planning, technical documentation, and presenting your work. This program not only strengthens your STEM skills but also helps you explore potential career paths.
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 300 placements in 38+ laboratories
Location: Various U.S. Navy labs across the country.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a stipend – $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
Dates: 8 weeks in the summer; exact dates vary with the lab
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility:
- High school students who have completed at least grade 9, and are at least 16 years old when the internship begins, can apply
- Graduating seniors are eligible
- Students are recommended to check whether their preferred lab choice has any other particular requirements
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) is a paid eight-week summer program where you get to work full-time in Navy research labs across the country. With only about 300 spots available each year, it’s a highly competitive program that pairs you with Navy scientists and engineers on current DoN projects. Based on the lab you choose, you might work on projects in areas like civil or mechanical engineering, systems design, robotics, or process optimization. You’ll learn how to test equipment, analyze data, and contribute to the design of technologies that support naval missions. During the program, you’ll also attend seminars, shadow professionals, and receive one-on-one mentorship.
9. Sandia National Laboratories Internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Livermore, California | Albuquerque, New Mexico | Other Sandia sites
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students will receive a stipend that varies with the internship role
Dates:
- Summer internships last 10-12 weeks, while year-round opportunities are available for students attending local schools.
- For the Co-op internships, you can select your internship period in coordination with Sandia and your school.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadline, as internship openings are continuously updated
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, are enrolled full-time in an accredited college, university, or high school, are U.S. citizens, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Sandia National Laboratories offers internships where high school students get to contribute to current research in national security, energy, and advanced engineering. As an intern, you’ll be matched with a mentor and work on projects that align with your skills and interests. If you’re interested in industrial engineering, you could take on roles in systems testing, process optimization, energy infrastructure modeling, or automation design. You’ll gain experience using advanced tools while collaborating with top scientists and engineers. Most summer internships are full-time, but if you live near a Sandia site, you can also apply for flexible year-round roles. Co-op internships are available through school partnerships, letting you work up to 40 hours a week during the academic year.
10. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program – Texas Tech University
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive (<3%); 12 students per year
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, Texas
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a $750 stipend
Dates: June 16 - August 1
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Students who will be at least 17 years old by the program start date, will graduate this year or the next, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
This 7-week residential research experience allows students to work one-on-one with faculty mentors on independent or faculty-led projects. Each year, only 12 scholars are selected, making this a highly competitive opportunity. If you’re interested in engineering, you could explore projects in robotics, automation, embedded computing, or circuit design, while those leaning toward industrial engineering may focus on systems optimization, process design, or modeling efficiency in large-scale operations. Alongside research, you’ll attend weekly seminars, industry site visits, and group discussions that strengthen your academic and professional skills. With lab experience, faculty guidance, and exposure to practical applications, you’ll build a strong foundation for college and a future in engineering.
11. SPARK Summer Internship Program (SIP)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies
Location: Greater Seattle Area, Washington
Cost/Stipend: No cost; some roles may offer a $500 stipend
Dates: June - August (8-10 weeks)
Application Deadline: May
Eligibility: High school students who can work 40 hours per week for 8-10 weeks
At SPARK SIP, students can apply for full-time summer internships that will allow them to work on projects in engineering, machine learning, and data-driven research. Interns select 5–6 project preferences, which may include process optimization, electrical design, or energy systems modeling. You will be guided by mentors from academia and industry, and contribute to research deliverables such as datasets, simulations, and presentations. Past projects have included neural network modeling, circuit design, and system-level performance analysis. The program prioritizes real project work and exposure to tools used in professional engineering environments.
12. QuarkNet Summer Research Program at Fermilab
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, Illinois
Cost/Stipend: $16.20 per hour
Dates: June 17 – August 2
Application Deadline: January 15
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are U.S. citizens or those who have a permanent resident status with Illinois high school enrollment
This is a 7-week research experience at Fermilab, one of the country’s top particle physics laboratories, under the U.S. Department of Energy. Here, you’ll work alongside scientists and engineers on projects in particle physics, accelerator systems, detector design, computer science, and quantum research. If you’re interested in industrial engineering, you may find opportunities in areas like systems optimization, process design, or improving the efficiency of large-scale experiments and data collection. During the internship, you’ll analyze data, contribute to team research, and present your findings through abstracts and oral presentations. You’ll also take part in surveys and group discussions that help shape the program. With exposure to advanced research facilities and mentorship from experts, this internship gives you the chance to apply engineering principles in a lab setting.
13. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive (<3%)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: July - August
Application Deadline: December 13. Check the program page for next year’s dates
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors
The Research Science Institute (RSI), hosted by MIT and the Center for Excellence in Education, is a highly competitive summer research program. Over six weeks, you’ll combine advanced coursework with independent research under the mentorship of leading scientists and engineers. You’ll start with a week of intensive STEM classes, then spend five weeks working on an independent project, exploring fields such as robotics, data science, systems design, and industrial engineering. In industrial engineering projects, you might optimize processes, model complex systems, or apply technology to practical challenges. You’ll have access to MIT’s cutting-edge labs and resources, collaborate with peers from around the globe, and present your work in a final research symposium.
14. Boston University’s Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) Program – Internship track
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Moderately selective
Location: Boston University, Boston, Massachusetts
Cost: $50 Application fee + $5,350 tuition fee + $470 service fee (financial aid is offered)
Dates: July to August
Application Deadline: February
Eligibility: High school students entering senior year after the summer
Boston University’s Research in Science & Engineering (RISE) program gives you the chance to spend six weeks conducting research in a BU lab. Guided by faculty and graduate mentors, you’ll work full-time on current projects in fields like computer science, biomedical engineering, neuroscience, physics, and public health. If you’re interested in industrial engineering–related work, you can explore projects in mechanical engineering, systems design, and process optimization, where you might test prototypes, analyze data, or study how to make complex systems more efficient. With this program, you’ll build lab skills, practice scientific communication, and share your findings at the final Poster Symposium. You can check out some of the past Poster Symposium presentations here!
15. NYU’s Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE) Program
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 80 students per cohort
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York
Cost/Stipend: No cost; students receive a $1,000 stipend
Dates: June 2 - August 8
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are NYC residents attending local schools
NYU’s ARISE program is a 10-week summer experience that lets you explore advanced STEM research while building your lab skills. During the first four weeks, you’ll attend evening workshops on lab safety, data analysis, research ethics, and science communication to prepare for practical work. In the final six weeks, you’ll join an NYU research lab and contribute to ongoing projects in areas like robotics, machine learning, bioengineering, clean energy, and computer science. You may also focus on optimizing systems, testing prototypes, or applying data to improve efficiency in complex processes. Guided by faculty and graduate mentors, you’ll gain research experience, problem-solving skills, and exposure to the latest tools and methods. The program concludes with a formal presentation of your findings at NYU and a symposium at the American Museum of Natural History.
16. Summer Internships (Laboratory Learning Program) at Princeton University
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10-15%
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
Cost/Stipend: None
Dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer, depending on the research project and the schedule of the researchers. Each research project has its own schedule. Interns work full-time
Application Deadline: March 15
Eligibility: Students who
- are enrolled in a U.S. high school and are at least 16 years old. High school graduates who will not turn 18 by June 15, can apply
- are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International students enrolled in a U.S. high school can also apply
This is a selective summer research opportunity where you’ll work at a Princeton lab and contribute to current scientific and engineering projects. During the program, you’ll work alongside faculty, graduate students, and researchers, gaining practical experience in research methods, data collection, and analysis. Each year, projects vary across natural sciences and engineering, with recent work including machine learning for power systems, heat pump design, biofuel optimization, and green energy solutions. You’ll be part of a research team and take on responsibilities that mirror real-world engineering challenges. By the end, you’ll complete a two-page research summary to showcase your findings and reflect on your contributions.
Bonus! Here are a few more programs you can consider:
Image Source - Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program Logo