9 Paid Engineering Internships for High School Students in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

For high school students interested in engineering, paid internships offer an accessible and hands-on opportunity to explore the field, gain practical experience, and earn a solid sum. From building prototypes and reading blueprints to working with CAD software, these engineering internships can help you develop technical skills and get a sense of professional engineering environments.

Philadelphia offers a variety of high-quality engineering internships and programs hosted by universities, laboratories, and nonprofits, covering disciplines such as mechanical, electrical, civil, and biomedical engineering. Many provide stipends or hourly pay, making them both educational and financially rewarding.

We’ve narrowed down 9 paid engineering internships for high school students in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

1. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – Department of Navy

Location: Naval Surface Warfare Center / Naval Information Warfare Center, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Varies by lab; selective
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least Grade 9. They must be US citizens and be at least 16 years old by the start of the program.
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning

The SEAP internship introduces high school students to applied engineering research in real Navy laboratories. Interns are matched with mentors and assigned to hands-on projects in areas like systems engineering, cybersecurity, electronics, and robotics. Students understand how research aligns with national defence priorities and are motivated to develop their technical, communication, and problem-solving abilities during the summer. Participants frequently work in teams and gain an insider perspective on federal STEM careers. Returning students receive a higher stipend, and some labs host capstone presentations or site-wide seminars.

2. Monell Science Apprenticeship Program

Location: Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~15 students
Dates: June 23 – August 15
Application Deadline: December 31 
Eligibility: High school students from Philadelphia and Camden
Cost/Stipend: Paid (exact amount not disclosed)

This research-focused internship introduces students to chemical senses and biosensory research, with some crossover into biomedical engineering and instrumentation. Interns assist scientists in real labs, attend professional seminars, and engage in data analysis projects related to smell, taste, and sensory systems. Students engage in lab tours, journal clubs, and work with mentors on mini-projects. The program encourages students from underrepresented backgrounds to apply and supports long-term career exploration in STEM. It’s an immersive science internship with exposure to applied technology, although the engineering scope may vary depending on the mentor.

3. CHOP-RISES II – Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia

Location: Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia Research Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Nomination-only; limited slots 
Dates: June 30 - August 7
Application Deadline: Varies by nominating organisation 
Eligibility: Rising seniors from CHOP-affiliated partner schools who have participated in CHOP-RISES I
Cost/Stipend: Stipend provided (amount not listed)

RISES II pairs high schoolers with biomedical researchers working on translational projects, many of which involve engineering applications in medicine. Interns participate in lab meetings, observe clinical processes, and take on supporting roles in ongoing research. They also attend workshops on public speaking, college prep, and career pathways in STEM. Mentorship is a fundamental part of the program, which is provided through CHOP’s Office of Academic Training and Outreach. Participation is nomination-based through school or community partners.

4. Provost’s Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)

Location:  University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective
Dates: July 7 – August 1
Application Deadline: February 21
Eligibility: Rising 10th or 11th graders enrolled in a Philadelphia high school (public, charter, private, or Catholic); Minimum 3.0 GPA
Cost/Stipend: Stipend awarded upon successful completion of the program; lunch and SEPTA TransPass provided

Hosted by the University of Pennsylvania, SMP is a four-week, paid summer program that places Philadelphia high school students in immersive tracks across five professional schools, including the School of Engineering. Participants gain hands-on exposure to real-world disciplines, attend workshops, and engage in college preparation activities. The Engineering track provides students with a deeper understanding of university-level engineering concepts through lab visits, experiments, and mentorship. In addition to academic exposure, students receive support in areas such as test preparation, financial literacy, and college readiness. The program is designed to support first-generation and underrepresented students, offering a monetary stipend, daily lunch, and travel assistance.

5. The Wistar Institute High School Biomedical Research Program

Location: The Wistar Institute, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 15 students
Dates: July 7 – July 31
Application Deadline: March 31
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old and have completed at least one high school science course
Stipend: $1,500

This intensive program provides practical laboratory training in biomedical research and molecular biology, including hands-on experience with tools like PCR, spectrophotometers, and cell cultures. Interns are paired with faculty mentors and contribute to ongoing research in cancer biology, immunology, or vaccine development. Although mainly centered on research, employing advanced laboratory tools closely aligns with biomedical engineering. Students end the program by presenting their findings to Wistar scientists and peers. 

6. URBN Internship Program (Engineering/Tech Track)

Location: URBN HQ, Navy Yard, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June 1 – August 7
Application Deadline: November 3
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors
Cost/Stipend: Competitive hourly pay

URBN’s internship program places students in engineering-adjacent roles that support the company’s supply chain, analytics, and technology teams. Interns might work on data-driven operations, warehouse automation, product logistics, or digital tools that support the business. The program runs at their Philadelphia Navy Yard headquarters and includes exposure to multiple URBN brands, such as Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, and Free People. Students collaborate with cross-functional teams, attend career development workshops, and complete a capstone presentation.

7. AFRL Scholars Program – Air Force Research Laboratory

Location: Various AFRL labs across the United States
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Varies based on location/project
Application Deadline: January 10
Eligibility: U.S. Rising juniors and seniors who are at least 16 with a minimum GPA of 3.0
Cost/Stipend: Stipends are paid based on the education level. Check the exact amount here.

AFRL Scholars engage in practical research at military-affiliated laboratories, supporting engineers and scientists with experimental design, prototyping, and testing. Some internships are offered virtually or hybrid, depending on lab location. Students receive guidance from mentors and attend technical briefings and Q&A sessions with senior engineers. Project areas may include materials science, energy systems, cybersecurity, or software modelling. The program is highly structured and offers one of the highest stipends for high school interns in engineering.

8. STEM Internship – The College of Physicians of Philadelphia

Location: The College of Physicians of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not specified
Dates: July 8 – August 2 (summer); weekly after-school program during school year
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising juniors or seniors enrolled in a Philadelphia public or charter high school 
Cost/Stipend: Stipend awarded at end of internship (amount not listed)

This internship combines engineering, healthcare, and community science by exploring the intersection of STEM and social justice. Interns participate in activities guided by professionals in forensic science and public health, focusing on the personal and societal impacts of violence. The program encourages students to explore how technology and medicine can be used to address community challenges. While not solely focused on engineering, the program offers a combination of workshops, mentorship, and reflection sessions that help students build both technical understanding and civic awareness. The internship includes a summer intensive and a weekly after-school track.

9. Outreachy – Open Source Software Internship

Location: Virtual
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Summer Internship: June 2 – August 29 | Winter Internship: December – March
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: Open to individuals facing underrepresentation or discrimination in tech (including high school students); no degree or prior experience required
Cost/Stipend: $7,000 stipend

Outreachy offers fully remote, paid internships in open source for individuals facing systemic bias or underrepresentation in tech. Interns work with experienced mentors on real-world projects spanning engineering, documentation, design, data science, and more. Over three months, you’ll contribute directly to open source communities, learning technical and collaboration skills in the process. Interns' responsibilities extend beyond coding to include UX research, marketing, and project coordination. It’s one of the few high-impact, equity-driven open-source initiatives backed by organizations like Red Hat, Mozilla, and Wikimedia.

Looking for an immersive internship experience?

Check out Ladder Internships!

Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!