12 Electrical Engineering Internships for College Students
Internships for college students in electrical engineering help you apply academic concepts in practical settings. You’ll gain experience with engineering tools, collaborate with professionals, and develop technical skills that complement your coursework. These experiences can also strengthen your resume, expand your professional network, and give you a clearer understanding of the field.
Each internship may focus on a different area—such as circuit design, power systems, embedded technologies, or communications—helping you explore potential career paths. In this post, we’ve highlighted 12 internships that offer hands-on experience and skill-building opportunities for electrical engineering students.
1. Ladder's University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Approximately 8 weeks starting July 14
Application deadline: June 23 (Summer cohort II)
Eligibility: Open to undergraduates and gap year students
Ladder’s University Internship Program connects college students with startup companies for an eight-week experience focused on outcome-based projects. With a weekly time commitment of 5 to 10 hours, the program is designed to be flexible while still offering meaningful work aligned with your interests. Interns engage in project-based tasks that reflect the needs of the startup, which may include areas like product design, technical research, or systems development relevant to electrical engineering. The structure encourages students to produce tangible results that can be added to their resumes, and in some cases, participants may receive a reference letter from their startup mentor. The program suits students looking to apply classroom concepts in a professional setting without the demands of a full-time internship.
2. NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: Boulder, CO, and Gaithersburg, MD
Stipend: $7,810 (approx)
Dates: Main 11-week program: May 19–August 1 | Offset 11-week program: June 2–August 15 | 9-week program: June 2–August 1
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents enrolled as undergraduate students at U.S. colleges or universities
The NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) places you in an 11-week research setting at one of NIST’s specialized laboratories, including the Engineering Laboratory and the Material Measurement Laboratory. As a participant, you will work under the guidance of federal researchers on projects that may involve electrical systems, advanced materials, data evaluation, or measurement science, depending on your academic background and lab placement. Past projects have included improvements in MRI calibration, electrical signal testing, and materials analysis for industrial applications. You are expected to contribute to active research efforts, analyze findings, and sometimes co-author reports or presentations
3. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Varies by experience
Dates: Varies by internship
Application deadline: Varies by internship
Eligibility: Open to U.S. citizens who are at least 16 years of age; specific eligibility criteria vary by position
Sandia National Laboratories provides a range of internship opportunities for college students pursuing careers in electrical engineering and related fields. These internships allow you to take on meaningful projects that support national research and development initiatives. You will work alongside engineers and researchers on tasks that reflect challenges in areas such as energy systems, engineering design, cybersecurity, and software integration. You will also get access to advanced tools and technologies, benefit from professional development workshops, and take part in networking events and social activities. For eligible students, internships may offer academic credit and can sometimes lead to full-time roles after graduation.
4. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars Program
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Stipend: $615.60 – $861.60/week (based on education level and credits earned)
Dates: Fall: 16 weeks (late August/early September – mid-December) | Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May) | Summer: 10 weeks (late May/early June – August
Application deadline: October 10–January 10 (summer cohort)
Eligibility: U.S. citizens over 16 years of age with a minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0
Sandia National Laboratories offers year-round and summer internships where you get to participate in national security and energy research projects as a technical undergraduate intern. Interns may assist with setting up instrumentation, running diagnostics, and supporting lab experiments in areas that often intersect with electrical engineering, such as sensor systems, control technologies, and electronics testing. Expect to contribute to data analysis, maintain lab documentation, and help manage lab equipment and safety protocols. Projects often require you to coordinate with engineers, technologists, and facility staff in a team-based research environment.
5. Idaho National Laboratory Undergraduate Internship
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, east Idaho
Stipend: Varies by number of college credits earned and degree program
Dates: 10 to 16 weeks, year-round
Application deadline: Rolling enrolment
Eligibility: Open to full-time students attending an accredited high school or college the semester before and after an internship award, with at least a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA.
At Idaho National Laboratory, the undergraduate internship program allows you to work on projects tied to national energy systems, infrastructure security, and advanced engineering technologies. Depending on your area of focus, you might get to assist with research on smart electrical grids, wireless communication systems, or support engineering services related to facility operations and applied technologies. Interns are integrated into research teams and take part in tasks such as data interpretation, technical documentation, and system testing under the guidance of professionals. Positions are paid and may include housing stipends and travel reimbursement, with opportunities available across multiple STEM-related fields. For students in electrical engineering, the program provides a practical environment to apply your coursework to challenges in energy, security, and sustainability.
6. NASA OSTEM Internship Program
Location: NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May) | Summer: 10 weeks (late May – August) | Fall: 16 weeks (late August – mid-December)
Application deadline: Spring: September 12 | Summer: February 27 | Fall: May 22
Eligibility: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, a full-time STEM student, or a part-time enrolled in at least 6 semester hours, and have a GPA of 3.0/4.0. You must also be at least 16 years old at the time of application
The NASA OSTEM Internship Program gives you the opportunity to work alongside engineers and scientists on projects that support NASA’s broader mission in areas like space systems, robotics, and advanced electronics. Electrical engineering students may work on tasks such as circuit testing, systems integration, or data analysis tied to satellite technologies or power distribution systems. Internships are available part-time or full-time at various NASA centers and include paid positions with guidance from mentors in technical fields. You’ll contribute directly to ongoing research or engineering efforts while gaining experience that aligns with industry standards and future graduate study.
7. NASA Pathways Internship
Location: NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Varies by academic hours completed, position location, and grade level
Dates: Multiple semesters until graduation and conclude by 180 days after you complete your degree requirements
Application deadline: Unspecified
Eligibility: Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, at least 16 years old, and enrolled in a degree or certificate-seeking program at an accredited educational institution. You also need to maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.9/4.0 and meet other academic requirements listed on the website.
The NASA Pathways Internship is a multi-semester program designed to align your academic studies with work in areas critical to NASA’s long-term mission, including systems engineering, electronics, and spacecraft instrumentation. As a Pathways intern, you will participate in structured rotations that may involve working on electrical components for aerospace systems, testing embedded hardware, or contributing to power distribution models for space missions. You will collaborate with engineers while developing an Individual Development Plan to guide your learning through specific projects, training, and mentoring. The internship is paid and includes the potential for direct conversion to full-time employment after graduation.
8. Electrical Engineering Internship at Zipline
Location: San Francisco, CA
Stipend: $38–$42/hour
Dates: September to December (exact dates unspecified)
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Applicants must have at least completed the second year of their Undergraduate studies. Master's and PhD students are also eligible.
For those looking to apply electrical engineering skills in a high-impact setting, the internship for college students at Zipline offers involvement in designing and testing hardware for autonomous delivery drones. You’ll work as a full member of the electrical engineering team, contributing to projects such as developing flight-critical systems, prototyping charging electronics for diverse environments, or building ground support components for drone operations. Interns often take part in tasks like system validation, root-cause analysis, and reliability testing, integral to ensuring performance in field conditions. The work spans collaboration with mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams, requiring you to apply engineering fundamentals while adapting to multidisciplinary challenges.
9. Electrical Engineering Intern at STV
Location: Empire State Building, New York
Stipend: $51,384–$68,512
Dates: Part-time summer internship (exact dates unspecified)
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Applicants must currently be pursuing a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Electrical Engineering at an ABET-accredited University or NCEES equivalent.
As an Electrical Engineering Intern at STV, you will be introduced to the full process of designing electrical systems for public infrastructure and commercial buildings. You will work closely with senior engineers in a hybrid setting that includes at least three days a week in the office. Intern responsibilities include conducting site surveys, assisting with CAD-based layouts, and preparing technical drawings for power distribution, grounding systems, and lighting. You’ll gain experience with software tools like AutoCAD, Revit, SKM, and ETAP while contributing to active projects such as transit terminals and municipal facilities. Interns often assist with creating construction documents and performing calculations related to AC/DC systems, fire alarms, and equipment layouts. The internship for college students is aimed at exposing you to different project phases–from design through construction–while developing both technical and client coordination skills.
10. Electrical Engineering Intern at AMETEK
Location: Kent, OH
Stipend: $35,000–$55,000
Dates: Fall cohort (exact dates unspecified)
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to students currently pursuing a degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or equivalent (sophomore or higher-level standing)
At AMETEK, the Electrical Engineering Internship places college students in a practical development environment focused on motion control systems like DC motors, actuators, and custom automation assemblies. You'll work alongside engineering professionals to design, test, and refine components while gaining experience with data analysis, circuit validation, and debugging test setups. Typical tasks include building prototypes, running performance tests, interpreting schematics, and using lab equipment to troubleshoot electrical systems. You may also contribute to code development for test automation or simulation tools. This internship is suited for students interested in applying their knowledge of electromechanical systems in the manufacturing industry.
11. Electrical Maintenance Technician Intern at Parker Hannifin
Location: Kearney, NE
Stipend: Paid opportunity
Dates: Exact dates Unspecified
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in college and have completed one semester of classes
The Electrical Maintenance Technician Internship position at Parker Hannifin puts you on the frontlines of industrial electrical systems, where you will work beside maintenance professionals to troubleshoot, repair, and install electrical equipment. Expect to perform tasks such as wiring diagnostics, PLC and motor control troubleshooting, and routine system inspections–all while following strict safety and documentation standards. Interns learn to interpret wiring diagrams, adhere to safety protocols, and maintain detailed logs of their maintenance activities, gaining practical exposure to equipment in a manufacturing environment.
12. Electrical Engineering Intern in Electrical Power at GE Aerospace
Location: Dayton, OH
Cost: $20/hour
Dates: Summer internship (exact dates unspecified)
Application deadline: Rolling until full
Eligibility: Open to students attending a full-time matriculated and nationally accredited baccalaureate or graduate program in engineering (degrees accepted: Electrical Engineering, Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science) with a minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative GPA.
Electrical or Computer Engineering interns focused on Electrical Power at GE Aerospace contribute to the development and testing of systems that support both commercial and military aircraft. Your work may involve analyzing and designing electrical power systems, simulating circuit behavior, writing software requirements, or supporting hardware-in-the-loop testing environments. Depending on your placement, you could be involved with engine controls, navigation systems, or platform systems integration, gaining exposure to the full life cycle of aerospace power technology. You'll be part of a larger engineering team, applying classroom principles to applications in power distribution, control algorithms, and embedded system diagnostics.