15 Robotics Internships for Undergraduates
Participating in an internship while still in college allows you to apply your coursework in engineering, computer science, or related fields within professional settings that build technical and workplace competence. By working on defined projects, you’ll gain exposure to industry tools, structured problem-solving processes, documentation standards, and collaborative engineering workflows. College internships also allow you to interact with mentors and peers, helping you develop professional connections that can support future academic or career decisions.
Why Should I Do a Robotics Internship in College?
A robotics internship allows you to observe how theoretical concepts translate into functioning robotic systems. You may assist with programming, hardware integration, system testing, simulation modeling, or data analysis. This experience helps you understand how multidisciplinary teams design, build, and evaluate robotics technologies in research labs, startups, or large companies. Working in these environments also familiarizes you with engineering timelines, review processes, and technical communication standards. Robotics internship experience can also strengthen your resume by demonstrating applied technical skills and collaborative project work. Employers value candidates who have already contributed to structured engineering projects, which can improve your employment prospects after graduation.
With that, here are 15 robotics internships for undergraduates worth checking out!
You can also check out these guides on AI research internships or science summer internships for undergraduates.
1. Ladder's University Internship Program
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by program type; Financial aid offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Approximately 25%; Around 100 students per cohort
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort
Eligibility: Undergraduates who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a remote internship experience that matches you with startups working on defined technical and business projects. In a robotics-focused placement, you may support companies developing automation tools, AI-driven systems, hardware prototypes, or robotics-related software solutions. Over the course of the program, you will work directly with a startup team on structured deliverables, such as research, system design support, coding tasks, data analysis, or testing processes tied to ongoing product development. The internship typically runs for eight weeks and includes regular meetings with your host organization to review progress and refine your contributions. Because the program is virtual, you’ll collaborate with distributed teams using professional communication and project management tools. Apply now!
2. NVIDIA Intern Program
Location: Santa Clara, CA, and other NVIDIA offices in the U.S.
Stipend: Offered in some cases
Acceptance Rate: Highly selective
Dates: Year-round internships for a minimum of 12 months
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduates, graduates, master's students, and PhD scholars
NVIDIA’s University Recruiting program offers internship opportunities for undergraduate students across areas such as engineering, research, hardware, software, data science, business operations, and related fields. You’ll work on defined projects alongside full-time teams, contributing to ongoing initiatives in areas like artificial intelligence, graphics, accelerated computing, and autonomous systems. Internships are structured to integrate you into regular team workflows, meetings, and technical discussions. Depending on your role, you may conduct research, develop or test software, analyze data, support product development, or assist with business strategy projects. The program also includes opportunities to attend intern events and connect with other students and professionals across the company.
3. High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) Summer Internship Program
Location: Several locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Monthly stipend offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Flexible; Most internships start in May or June
Application Deadline: Varies based on program
Eligibility: Undergraduates or recent graduates with a minimum GPA of 3.0
The ORISE High Performance Computing Modernization Program (HPCMP) Internship provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to participate in research projects hosted at U.S. Department of Defense laboratories and facilities. During the program, you’ll work on computational science and engineering projects that use high-performance computing systems to address technical and research challenges. Depending on your placement, you may contribute to modeling, simulation, data analysis, algorithm development, or software engineering tasks under the supervision of research mentors. The internship typically runs for 10 weeks during the summer and places you in a structured research environment alongside scientists and engineers. You’ll also have opportunities to attend technical seminars and engage with other interns working on related computational projects.
4. Carnegie Mellon University: Robotics Institute Summer Scholars (RISS)
Location: Several locations across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: None; Scholarships offered
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 1 – August 9
Application Deadline: January 21
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students
The Robotics Institute Summer Scholars (RISS) Program is an 11-week summer research experience hosted by Carnegie Mellon University’s Robotics Institute. During the program, you will be matched with a faculty mentor and research team, where you’ll contribute to ongoing projects in areas such as robotic perception, motion planning, machine learning, computer vision, or human-robot interaction. Your work may involve designing experiments, developing algorithms, analyzing data, or testing robotic systems within a lab setting. In addition to research activities, you’ll attend seminars, workshops, and lab tours that introduce you to current developments across robotics subfields. The program concludes with a research presentation, where you’ll formally share your findings with peers and faculty.
5. NASA’s JPL Summer Internship Program
Location: JPL, Pasadena, CA
Stipend: Paid; Stipend amount varies based on academic level and session duration
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Summer internships begin in May and June
Application Deadline: February 27
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents (LPRs) enrolled at least part-time in accredited undergraduate or graduate STEM programs; Must have a CGPA of 3.0+
The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) Summer Internship Program places you within active mission and research teams working on space exploration initiatives. Rather than observing, you’ll contribute to defined technical assignments that may involve robotics systems, spacecraft components, coding, modeling, or scientific data processing tied to current projects. Your work will be guided by a mentor, and you will be integrated into the daily operations of the team, including project discussions and technical reviews. The program runs for 10 weeks during the summer and requires full-time participation. Beyond your assigned project, you will get to attend laboratory-wide lectures and events that highlight ongoing work across JPL divisions. The internship concludes with a formal presentation of your project outcomes to peers and staff.
6. NASA OSTEM Robotics Internships
Location: Several NASA locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid; Stipend amount varies based on academic level and session duration
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies based on program
Application Deadline: Varies based on program
Eligibility: Full-time or part-time undergraduate and graduate students with a minimum 3.0 GPA
NASA’s Internship Programs, administered through the Office of STEM Engagement, place undergraduate students in roles supporting active projects at NASA centers across the United States. You may work in areas such as engineering, science research, information technology, business operations, communications, or mission support, depending on your background and interests. You will be assigned to specific teams and be required to complete defined tasks under the supervision of NASA mentors, contributing to ongoing agency initiatives. Throughout the program, you’ll work within professional teams and gain familiarity with federal research and operational environments.
7. NSF REU: Robots in the Real World
Location: Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 22 – August 28
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens or permanent residents enrolled as undergraduates (including graduating seniors) in engineering, CS, or related fields
The Robots in the Real World REU at Oregon State University is a 10-week summer research program focused on robotics and intelligent systems. Hosted by the Collaborative Robotics and Intelligent Systems (CoRIS) Institute, the program matches you with a faculty mentor and research group working on robotics challenges. Research areas may include multi-robot systems, human-robot interaction, autonomous navigation, robotic manipulation, or field robotics. You’ll participate in ongoing lab work, contribute to experiments or system development, and engage in regular research discussions with your team. The program also includes seminars and professional development sessions related to research methods and graduate study. At the end of the summer, you’ll present your research findings to faculty and peers.
8. Contoro Robotics: Robotics Engineer Intern
Location: Contoro Robotics, Austin, TX
Stipend: Paid; Exact amount varies
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Flexible; Varies each year
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduates and recent graduates
Contoro Robotics is a technology company that develops robotic systems designed to automate warehouse unloading and logistics operations. Internship roles place you within engineering teams working on hardware, software, and systems integration tasks related to robotic manipulation and automation. Depending on your focus area, you may assist with mechanical design, sensor integration, testing robotic arms, debugging control systems, or improving perception algorithms. Work takes place in a product-driven environment where prototypes are iterated and evaluated for real-world deployment. You’ll collaborate with engineers across disciplines, contributing to ongoing development and validation efforts. The company operates as a startup, so projects often move quickly from design to testing.
9. Symbotic Robotics Internships
Location: Symbotic, Wilmington, MA, Mountain View, CA, or Plainview, TX
Stipend: $29 – $45/hour
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 12 weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Typically, March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Symbotic offers internship and co-op opportunities within teams developing AI-driven robotics systems for warehouse and supply chain automation. In these roles, you’ll work on projects related to autonomous mobile robots, robotic storage and retrieval systems, controls engineering, software development, or hardware integration. Your responsibilities may include writing and testing code, supporting system simulations, troubleshooting mechanical or electrical components, or assisting with performance validation in operational environments. Internships are typically structured as full-time summer roles or semester-based co-ops, allowing you to contribute to active engineering initiatives. You’ll collaborate with cross-functional teams that bring together software, hardware, and systems engineers to refine large-scale automation platforms. Work takes place in a production-focused setting where robotics solutions are developed for real commercial deployment.
10. U.S. Department of Energy labs: EERE Robotics Internship Program
Location: Oak Ridge National Laboratory and other DOE locations
Stipend: Starting at $700/week
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 10 consecutive weeks from May to September
Application Deadline: February 10
Eligibility: U.S. citizens (18+) who are enrolled as high school seniors, undergraduate/graduate students, or recent graduates in robotics, manufacturing, or engineering fields
The EERE Robotics Internship Program, administered by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, places you in research roles at national laboratories and approved partner sites. During the 10-week summer program, you’ll work with scientists and engineers on robotics-related projects that may involve sensing and perception systems, control algorithms, human-machine interaction, or automation technologies connected to energy and advanced manufacturing. You’ll contribute to defined research tasks under the guidance of a technical mentor, participating in laboratory meetings and project reviews. Assignments often involve programming, system integration, experimental testing, or data analysis tied to ongoing federal research initiatives. The internship takes place within a national lab environment, where robotics development supports broader energy and engineering goals. Throughout the program, you’ll engage with interdisciplinary teams working on applied technology challenges.
11. Machina Labs: Robotic Process Engineer Intern
Location: Machina Labs, Chatsworth, CA
Stipend: Paid (amount varies)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Flexible
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
Machina Labs is an advanced manufacturing company that uses robotics, artificial intelligence, and large-scale industrial robots to produce metal components through automated forming processes. Internship opportunities place you within engineering and technical teams working on robotics-driven fabrication systems. Depending on your role, you may support robot programming, assist with process development, analyze production data, contribute to CAD-based design tasks, or help test automated forming workflows. Work takes place in a production-focused environment where software, robotics hardware, and manufacturing systems operate together. You’ll collaborate with engineers across mechanical, software, and manufacturing disciplines to refine digital-to-physical production methods. Projects are tied to real industrial applications, including aerospace and automotive components.
12. NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF)
Location: NIST, Gaithersburg, MD, and Boulder, CO
Stipend: $710 per week
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: 11-week program: May 27 – August 7; 9-week program: June 8 – August 7; Offset 11-week program: June 8 – August 21
Application Deadline: January 26
Eligibility: Full-time undergraduate students in an accredited two-year or four-year college in the U.S
The NIST Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) is an 11-week summer research program that places you in laboratories at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in Boulder, Colorado. During the program, you’ll work full-time on a research project under the supervision of a NIST scientist or engineer. Projects span areas such as applied physics, materials science, robotics, engineering, computational modeling, cybersecurity, and measurement science. Your responsibilities may include conducting experiments, developing simulations, analyzing data, or contributing to technical documentation tied to ongoing laboratory research. You participate in seminars, group meetings, and professional development activities organized for SURF participants. The program concludes with a formal presentation of your research findings.
13. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
Stipend: Paid (amount varies)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Typically, 10-12 weeks starting in May
Application Deadline: Not specified
Eligibility: Students (16+) enrolled full-time at an accredited high school, college, or university with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Sandia National Laboratories offers student internship opportunities that place you within technical and research teams supporting national security and scientific initiatives. In these roles, you’ll work alongside engineers, scientists, and technical staff on projects related to engineering, robotics, computer science, physics, cybersecurity, energy systems, or advanced manufacturing. Your assignments may involve data analysis, software development, laboratory testing, modeling and simulation, or systems design, depending on your academic background and the needs of your team. As an intern, you will be integrated into ongoing projects and participate in regular team meetings and technical discussions. Work takes place within a national laboratory environment that supports large-scale research and applied technology development.
14. Idaho National Laboratory Undergraduate Internship
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Stipend: Paid (amount varies)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: June 4 – August 10
Application Deadline: February 2
Eligibility: Full-time student attending an accredited high school or college with a cumulative 3.0 GPA
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Internship Program offers undergraduate students paid opportunities to work on research and technical projects at a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory. You’ll collaborate with experienced scientists and engineers across STEM areas such as robotics, nuclear engineering, computer science, materials science, or physics, as well as in operations and strategy roles that support the lab’s mission. You will be paired with mentors who help define your work scope and guide your contributions throughout the internship. During your 10- to 16-week placement, you’ll participate in weekly seminars, tours, and networking events designed to expand your professional skills and connections. You might also complete a final project that showcases your work, such as a presentation or technical poster.
15. Tesla Internship Program
Location: Multiple Tesla locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid (amount varies)
Acceptance Rate/Cohort Size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Varies each year
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: Undergraduate students
The Tesla Internship Program offers robotics-focused roles within teams developing automation systems used in vehicle manufacturing and energy product assembly. In these positions, you may support robotics engineering projects involving robotic arms, automated production lines, control systems, or machine vision technologies used in factory environments. Your work can include programming and debugging automation equipment, assisting with system integration, analyzing performance data, or helping optimize robotic workflows on the production floor. Internships are typically full-time and embedded within engineering teams, where you participate in design reviews, technical discussions, and testing processes. You’ll also collaborate with mechanical, electrical, software, and manufacturing engineers working on large-scale industrial automation systems. Projects are tied directly to operational manufacturing needs, allowing you to observe how robotics supports high-volume production.
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