12 Software Internships for High School Students in Virginia
If you are a high school student interested in software and technology, internships are one of the best ways to understand whether software engineering is something you’d enjoy working on. A software internship takes the abstract concepts of coding learned in a classroom and applies them to problems, teaching you how to work within a professional codebase and collaborate with a team of developers. This experience provides tangible proof that you can handle technical challenges and meet deadlines, which can help you stand out when applying to colleges or future jobs.
Virginia offers a wide range of software-focused internships for high school students. You’ll find federal research programs connected to NASA, selective university research internships, and county-level government tech roles. Many of these software internships focus on practical skills like programming, data analysis, cybersecurity, and applied research. Below, we have listed 12 software internships for high school students in Virginia.
1. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Program
Location: NASA Langley Research Center (Hampton, VA) and NASA Wallops Flight Facility (Wallops Island, VA)
Stipend: Paid based on academic level and session duration
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 2,000+ students across centers
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, and Spring
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27; Fall: May 22; Spring: September 12
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens, at least 16 years old, and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
NASA OSTEM is one of the most prestigious software and STEM internships available to high school students in Virginia. Through this internship, you work under direct mentorship from NASA engineers and scientists on real agency projects. Depending on placement, you may assist with data analysis, software modeling, simulations, or mission-support tools. The internship emphasizes applied problem-solving rather than classroom learning. Both virtual and in-person formats allow flexibility without sacrificing rigor. For students serious about software engineering or data science, this program carries significant weight with college admissions.
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10–25%; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Summer, Fall, Winter, and Spring
Application Deadline: Varies by cohort; Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school, undergraduate, and gap year students who can work 10–20 hours per week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder places you inside real startups, usually backed by Y Combinator, whose founders have previously worked for Google, McKinsey, Meta, etc. Depending on your placement, you may work on software development, data analysis, AI tools, or technical strategy. You work closely with startup managers and receive structured support from a Ladder Coach. The program emphasizes deliverables, so you are expected to produce real outcomes by the end. You also present your work to the company, which helps build professional and technical skills. This program is one of the more flexible software internships for high school students in Virginia, especially if you prefer remote, industry-facing work.
3. VITA Junior Associate Program
Location: VITA Headquarters, Richmond, VA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; ~8 students
Dates: January – June
Application Deadline: September/October
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
The VITA Junior Associate Program at the Virginia Information Technologies Agency offers you a hands-on immersion into the professional world of software and technology. During this program, you will explore core software-related topics like cloud computing solutions, cybersecurity risk management, and enterprise-level IT infrastructure. You'll engage in activities such as shadowing senior technical professionals, participating in collaborative team meetings, and working on agency-wide projects using modern software tools. You get an opportunity to access state-level technology operations while receiving direct mentorship from seasoned industry experts. By participating, you will build the foundational expertise necessary for a successful career in software engineering.
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: NSWC Dahlgren (Dahlgren, VA) and NIWC Atlantic (Hampton Roads, VA)
Stipend: New participants: $4,000; returning participants: $4,500
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~300 placements nationwide
Dates: 8-week summer internship, with optional 2-week extension
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 or older, are U.S. citizens, and have completed at least 9th grade, including graduating seniors
Through the Navy SEAP program at Virginia labs like Dahlgren or Dam Neck, you will explore software-driven fields such as cybersecurity, machine learning, and systems engineering. During your eight-week summer internship, you will actively write production-level code, conduct rigorous software testing, and present your final findings through professional quad charts to senior staff. You will walk away with highly transferable skills in technical writing, data analysis, and formal laboratory research methodologies that are difficult to find in a classroom setting. By applying your programming knowledge to naval challenges, you gain a competitive edge for both elite college admissions and future engineering careers.
5. Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship
Location: Herndon, VA (Space Division)
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size varies annually based on mentor availability and facility capacity
Dates: June – August (Typically a 9–10 week duration)
Application Deadline: December 19
Eligibility: High school students 16+ years old, U.S. Citizens, and living within commuting distance of the facility
Through the Lockheed Martin Space High School Internship, you will explore aerospace software engineering by focusing on flight software development, cybersecurity, and system simulation. You will spend your time writing and debugging code for satellite systems, participating in peer code reviews, and collaborating on mission-critical software architecture projects. This program offers you direct mentorship from industry experts and the chance to work on actual space-bound technology in a professional defense environment. By the end of the summer, you will have learnt professional programming languages like C++ or Python and gained essential skills in technical problem-solving and agile project management.
6. MITRE High School Student Program
Location: McLean, VA
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: 8 weeks during the summer, beginning in June and ending in August
Application Deadline: Typically around mid-to-late February/early spring
Eligibility: U.S. students in grades 9-12 (freshmen through seniors) | Minimum age 14 by the program start | Legally eligible to work in the U.S. without sponsorship
Through MITRE’s High School Student Research Program in Virginia, you’ll learn about software engineering and cybersecurity by working on technical challenges. You will cover essential topics like secure coding, data analytics, and artificial intelligence while contributing to projects that support national security. During the internship, you’ll perform activities such as developing software prototypes, testing system vulnerabilities, and presenting your technical findings to professional mentors. A unique feature of this program is the opportunity to work alongside industry experts in specialized labs, providing you with high-level professional exposure. By the end, you’ll master practical skills in programming, systems thinking, and collaborative problem-solving.
7. Leidos High School Internship
Location: Reston, VA (HQ); also Alexandria and Sterling, VA (Hybrid/In-Person)
Stipend: Paid hourly, rate not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not specified
Dates: Typically 8–10 weeks between June and August
Application Deadline: Late February
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors; 3.0+ GPA; U.S. citizenship required
In this program, you will immerse yourself in the world of software engineering by tackling topics like cloud computing, cybersecurity, and systems architecture. You will gain experience by coding in languages like Java or Python, participating in agile development sprints, and collaborating on technical projects. The program provides the opportunity to work alongside industry mentors on mission-critical solutions that support national security and global infrastructure. Through this exposure, you will learn technical skills in software design and troubleshooting while sharpening your professional teamwork and problem-solving abilities. This experience serves as a direct bridge from your classroom learning to a fast-paced professional environment.
8. Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: GMU campuses in Fairfax, Arlington, Prince William; hybrid options
Cost: $1,299 + $25 application fee (waivable)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective / 15–20 interns
Dates: June 18 – August 12
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school students who have not yet completed a university degree; minimum age 15 for remote/computer-lab work and 16 for wet-lab placements
ASSIP is a research-heavy internship that strongly favors motivated students with technical interests. You will work with George Mason University faculty on projects that can involve data science, cybersecurity, or computational research. The program includes research workshops and professional skill-building sessions. You also present your work at the end through a formal poster session. This is one of the strongest software internships for high school students in Virginia if you want research exposure, with many students continuing their projects beyond the summer.
9. BAE Systems Women in Technology (WiT) Summer Intern Program
Location: BAE Systems facilities, Manassas, Virginia
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; ~15–20 students per session
Dates: November – February
Application Deadline: October
Eligibility: Female high school students in grades 10–12 who are U.S. citizens
In this program, you will join a select cohort of female high school students to explore technical careers through software and engineering rotations. The program covers broad topics, including software, mechanical, electrical, microwave, and manufacturing engineering, alongside signal processing and failure analysis. You will get to code with Arduino, design 3D objects using CAD, and operate specialized focused ion beams. A unique highlight is the one-on-one mentorship from female engineers who provide real-world insights into the defense technology industry. This experience effectively bridges the gap between your high school coursework and a future career in STEM.
10. Commonwealth Cyber Initiative High School Internship
Location: Northern Virginia (Hybrid: 2-week bootcamp in Fairfax, VA; 5-week industry placement)
Stipend: $2,650
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; 25–40 interns per session
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors and first-year college/university students who are 17+; U.S. Citizens; living in Northern Virginia
The CCI High School Internship program offers you an introduction to software security and the local cybersecurity ecosystem. You will explore critical topics like secure coding, Python programming, database design, and cloud security through a mix of classroom and professional settings. During the seven-week program, you will attend a two-week professional bootcamp, work on real-world testbeds like smart grids, and eventually collaborate with cyber startups on technical tasks. The program's unique mentorship pipeline connects you with university cadets and graduate students, providing a direct link to Virginia’s innovation network. By the end, you will have sharpened your technical proficiency in tools like AWS and Splunk.
11. Kode With Klossy’s Summer Camps
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Non-selective; 20–25 scholars
Dates: Multiple two-week sessions in the summer
Application Deadline: Early March
Eligibility: Girls and non-binary students, ages 13–18
In this program, you will explore the creative possibilities of code through one of four specialized tracks: Web Development, Mobile Apps, Data Science, or AI/Machine Learning. The curriculum covers foundational topics like HTML/CSS and JavaScript for web design, Swift for iOS apps, and Python for data analysis and chatbot training. During the two-week program, you will engage in hands-on workshops, participate in a speaker series with industry leaders, and collaborate with a team to build a culminating project, such as a functional app or a dynamic website. By the end of the summer, you will have mastered technical skills in debugging and UI/UX design.
12. Johns Hopkins’ ASPIRE
Location: Virtual
Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~10%; ~100–150 students
Dates: June 23 – August 21
Application Deadline: February 15
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors, at least 15 years old by June 1, U.S. citizens, minimum 2.8 GPA
The Johns Hopkins ASPIRE virtual program allows you to collaborate with Applied Physics Laboratory researchers on software projects. The curriculum spans computer science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, modeling, and data analysis. During your tenure, you will code navigation algorithms in C++, develop automated security tools in Python, and train deep learning models for cyberspace anomaly detection. You receive one-on-one mentorship from world-class scientists who guide you through real-world defense challenges. This experience effectively prepares you for the transition from high school to a professional engineering career.
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