15 Summer Engineering Internships for Undergraduates
Doing an internship during college is a great way to bridge the gap between classroom theories and industry application. It gives you practical experience in a field you care about, letting you see what the day-to-day work looks like before you graduate. This kind of exposure strengthens your resume, proving to future employers that you already know how to add value in a professional setting. These skills boost your overall employability, giving you a head start when it is time to get your first full-time job.
Why should I do a summer engineering internship in college?
Students interested in engineering can use internships to see how complex technical problems are addressed in large-scale tech companies, government labs, and research institutions.You may work on hardware development, artificial intelligence systems, biomedical research, environmental monitoring technologies, or national laboratory research initiatives. Along the way, you will build experience collaborating with engineers and scientists, working with structured project timelines, and communicating technical findings. An internship can also improve your employment prospects after graduation by providing professional references.
If you are an undergraduate student interested in engineering, we’ve identified 15 summer engineering internships that offer structured project work and defined learning opportunities. The internships featured in this blog span national laboratories, aerospace organizations, AI research institutes, oceanographic centers, and interdisciplinary sustainability initiatives, giving you a broad range of opportunities across engineering sectors.
1. Boeing U.S. Engineering Internships
Location: Boeing facilities across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, exact amount not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; typically over 1,000–2,000 interns annually
Dates: Mid-May – September
Application Deadline: Typically, January
Eligibility: Undergraduate students majoring in aerospace, chemical, civil, computer, electrical, industrial, materials, mechanical/structural, or software engineering, as well as computer science and physics; expected graduation date on or after August
This internship places students in engineering teams at Boeing facilities across the U.S. You will assist with the design, testing, or production of aerospace and defense systems, with assignments in areas such as flight engineering, software development, mechanical/structural engineering, or safety and airworthiness engineering. Your responsibilities may include designing navigation systems for aircraft, using simulation models to support manufacturing processes, or assisting with producibility assessments for part or product designs. The internship combines hands-on engineering work with exposure to large-scale multidisciplinary project environments. Interns also participate in Boeing’s broader internship programming, which includes professional development seminars, executive speaker sessions, structured mentorship and training, and community outreach initiatives.
2. Ladder University Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost/Stipend: Cost varies depending on the program type; financial aid is available / No stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 10%; 70–100 students per session
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the cohort; the summer application deadline is in May
Eligibility: Undergraduates and gap year students who can work for 10–20 hours/week for 8–12 weeks
Ladder University Internship Program is a selective, virtual internship program where you work with startups and nonprofits from around the world. The startups range across a variety of industries, such as AI, ML, healthcare, business, etc. As part of the internship, you will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup you are working with, and present your work at the end of the internship. Interns work closely with their manager at the startup and a dedicated Ladder coach for the program’s duration. Apply now!
3. Stanford Engineering’s Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF) Bay Area
Location: Stanford University, Stanford, CA
Stipend: $6,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 14 students
Dates: June 22 – August 14
Application Deadline: February 3
Eligibility: Rising college juniors or non-graduating seniors enrolled full-time in an undergraduate degree at a non-Stanford, accredited public or private college or university in the U.S. (full-time community college students in their transfer year are also eligible to apply; at least 18 years old; minimum GPA of 3.0; check here for project-specific prerequisites)
You will join an engineering lab and contribute to a research project aligned with your background and interests, with placements in bioengineering, computer science, electrical engineering, civil and environmental engineering, chemical engineering, and mechanical engineering. Responsibilities vary by lab and may include experimental design, computational modeling, coding, data analysis, prototyping, literature review, or laboratory techniques specific to your field. The program combines day-to-day lab work with a structured graduate school preparation curriculum focused on scientific communication, mentorship, and understanding the admissions process. You will also be expected to collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and fellow cohort members.
4. Naval Research Enterprise Internship Program (NREIP)
Location: Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratories across the U.S.
Stipend: New undergraduates: $7,500; Returning students: $9,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive; 800+ placements around the country
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer, with the possibility of extending up to 4 extra weeks
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: Rising undergraduate sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled full-time at an accredited four-year college or university (students graduating the spring semester before the internship or in the winter after are ineligible); U.S. citizens; some labs may accept permanent residents and/or students attending two-year colleges in relevant majors who meet the credit requirements; check individual lab pages here for other lab-specific exceptions and prerequisites
This 10-week, on-site summer internship places you in DoN research laboratories across the U.S. You will work on science and engineering projects, which may include systems engineering for C4ISR technologies, software and data systems development, artificial intelligence for astronomical research, or undersea human performance studies. You will have access to structured mentorship while participating in lab meetings, technical discussions, and project-based assignments tied to naval missions and defense research. You are selected through a competitive application process and receive a stipend based on academic level and prior participation.
5. Wake Forest University School of Medicine’s Biomedical Engineering and Informatics Summer Research Internship Program
Location: Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
Stipend: Paid, exact amount is not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Approximately 8.3% acceptance; up to 50 students
Dates: May 26 – July 31
Application Deadline: January 30
Eligibility: Students who have completed at least two semesters of undergraduate or master’s education; at least 18 years old; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0; U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, and international students attending a U.S. institution under a J-1 or F-1 visa
This on-site internship places students in active research teams at Wake Forest University School of Medicine, where they will contribute to biomedical engineering and informatics projects supported by NSF and NIH-aided initiatives. You will be assigned to a mentored lab or research group and assist with ongoing studies in areas such as injury prediction modeling, biomechanics, medical device testing, imaging technologies, or machine learning applications in health care. Depending on your project, you may engage in experimental laboratory work, computational modeling, data analysis, or informatics-driven research methodologies. You will work alongside faculty, graduate students, and research staff while gaining exposure to applied research settings related to trauma, cancer diagnostics, and health systems research.
6. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: NASA centers and facilities across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid, but the exact amount varies based on the internship
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely selective; approximately 2,000 – 2,500 interns
Dates: Internships are available throughout the year, including summer (10 weeks)
Application Deadline: Summer: February 27
Eligibility: College students who are at least 16 years old; U.S. citizens; minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0; check individual internship opportunities here for project-specific prerequisites
These internships place undergraduate students in paid roles across NASA centers and facilities. You will be assigned to a specific technical team, where responsibilities may include supporting software development projects, assisting with wind tunnel and propulsion testing operations, or contributing to data acquisition system design and prototype testing. Assignments vary by center and academic level, but you will get to work directly with NASA engineers, scientists, and technicians on active research or operational efforts tied to aeronautics, space propulsion, communications, or related mission areas. You will also have access to daily guidance from a designated mentor while contributing to a defined technical project within your division.
7. Florida Atlantic University (FAU) Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Summer Internship Program
Location: FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Fort Pierce, FL
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; around 15 students
Dates: May 18 – July 24
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have completed at least the equivalent of two years of college and are seeking a four-year degree; at least 18 years of age and in good academic standing; eligible to apply for a US social security number
This program matches you with a faculty mentor to complete a defined research project in areas such as ocean engineering and applied technology, ocean dynamics and modeling, marine ecosystem health, aquaculture, and marine biomedical research. Engineering-focused placements may involve instrumentation development, ocean observation platforms, data analysis, robotics, optical sensors, or renewable marine energy research, depending on the lab. You will work in a research environment on Florida’s Indian River Lagoon and will produce a written report and a 15-minute presentation at the program’s summer intern symposium. The program also includes orientation and presentation workshops, as well as access to research facilities and the Harbor Branch library.
8. Google Engineering and Technical Internships
Location: Various Google offices (placement based on availability)
Stipend: Paid, amount not disclosed
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; cohort size not officially disclosed
Dates: Typically 10–12 weeks during the summer (May–August)
Application Deadline: Late March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s program majoring in CS or a related technical field
This internship program places you in engineering and technical teams at Google offices across the globe. You will work on defined projects in areas such as software engineering, user experience design, associate product management, mechanical engineering, or hardware engineering, depending on your background and placement. Responsibilities vary by role and may include developing and testing code, collaborating with UX teams, or working on hardware development initiatives. The internship combines technical work with structured mentorship and professional development opportunities. Interns are integrated into active product teams and contribute to real engineering challenges alongside full-time engineers and cross-functional partners.
9. SpaceX Intern Program
Location: Multiple SpaceX locations across the U.S.
Stipend: Paid; the exact amount is not specified
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; roughly 500–700+ interns per year
Dates: Summer: May – August
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: Undergraduate students who have U.S. Person status (Citizen, Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee) per ITAR regulations
This full-time, on-site internship places you in engineering teams at SpaceX, where you’ll support the design, development, and testing of spaceflight hardware. You may work on technical assignments related to propulsion systems, launch infrastructure, spacecraft manufacturing, or avionics, depending on your placement. The internship combines hands-on technical work with cross-functional collaboration alongside engineers and production teams. Along the way, you will gain exposure to advanced aerospace technology and first-hand insight into the full engineering lifecycle, from concept through build and flight.
10. Princeton University’s Bioengineering Summer Undergraduate Research Experience (BE-SURE)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Stipend: Paid, amount not specified + a research budget of $1,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; 8–10 participants
Dates: 9 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: February 1
Eligibility: Current undergraduate freshmen, sophomores, and juniors attending college in the U.S.
BE-SURE is a nine-week residential program that places you in an academic lab to conduct research at the intersection of engineering and the life sciences. You will work on applied, basic, computational, or laboratory-based bioengineering projects while receiving mentorship from faculty and research staff. In addition to your research project, you will participate in structured training on scientific communication and present your work at an end-of-program poster session and reception. Other activities include an industry visit and a tour of the Princeton Innovation Center Biolabs, providing exposure to academic and industry career paths in bioengineering.
11. Sandia National Laboratories Internships
Location: Virtual or in person at Sandia National Laboratories sites in Albuquerque, NM, or Livermore, CA
Stipend: $21.90 – $33.01/hour, depending on internship role, location, and education level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly selective; over 2,000 interns annually across all locations
Dates: Summer: 10–12 weeks in May – Last Thursday in August
Application Deadline: Varies depending on the internship
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university; at least 16 years old; minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0/4.0; some internship positions are only open to U.S. citizens
Internships at Sandia National Laboratories place you on technical or business teams supporting projects tied to national security, energy, cybersecurity, and engineering research. You will work on assignments such as software development, predictive simulation, electrical and mechanical engineering projects, remote-sensing technologies, or computational science. Many interns participate through the Intern Institute Program, where you’ll be matched with a mentor and contribute to projects aligned with your academic background or technical interests. You will gain hands-on experience using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities at Sandia’s New Mexico or California sites while collaborating with scientists and engineers.
12. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: AFRL labs across the U.S.
Stipend: Varies based on education level and internship location; details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 125–150 participants
Dates: Typically 10 to 12 weeks, generally beginning in late May or early June
Application Deadline: Summer: January 10
Eligibility: Must be a U.S. citizen; at least 16 years old with a valid driver’s license; enrolled at least half-time in a STEM-related degree; check here for more information
You will be placed in a research group to contribute to engineering efforts such as spacecraft thermal vacuum test design, turbomachinery structural dynamics and mechanics, satellite communication data systems, laser physics, or AI and machine learning applications. Depending on the project, your work may involve laboratory experimentation, field data collection, mechanical or aerothermal design, simulation and modeling, software development, or statistical analysis using tools such as Python, MATLAB, or machine learning frameworks. Interns collaborate directly with mentors on active defense-related research and may participate in facility tours, technical training, and program events at AFRL sites across the country.
13. Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL)’s Undergraduate Student Internship Program
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Stipend: Varies depending on several factors; details here
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; around 1,800–2,000 interns annually
Dates: Summer: typically 10 weeks between mid-May and early June
Application Deadline: February 13
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in at least 12 semester credit hours (or full-time equivalent) in an accredited degree program (or international equivalent); minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75/4.0
This internship places you in research and technical teams at LANL, where you support projects aligned with the laboratory’s scientific and national security missions. You will be assigned to a specific group based on your academic background and may work in areas such as physics, chemistry, materials science, earth and environmental science, applied mathematics, computer science, or engineering. Responsibilities may include assisting with experimental design, conducting laboratory experiments, performing data analysis, developing computational models, or supporting fieldwork activities. You will combine hands-on technical assignments with participation in team meetings and collaborative research discussions. Interns will be mentored by staff scientists and engineers and gain exposure to how multidisciplinary teams operate at a national laboratory.
14. Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Ai2) Internships
Location: Allen Institute for Artificial Intelligence (Ai2), Seattle, WA
Stipend: Varies based on position and education level
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Extremely competitive; 30–50 interns
Dates: Summer: 12 weeks (flexible start dates usually in May or June)
Application Deadline: Summer: Early-to-mid January
Eligibility: Current undergraduate students eligible to work in the U.S.; check individual internship opportunities here for internship-specific prerequisites
Ai2 offers 12-week internships that place you on research or engineering teams working on artificial intelligence systems and tools. You will support active projects in areas such as machine learning, large language models, natural language processing, and AI system development. Responsibilities may include building research prototypes, implementing and evaluating models, contributing to open-source tools, or supporting internal experimentation platforms. You will work closely with scientists and engineers and will be paired with a dedicated mentor as you complete defined technical projects aligned with team goals. This internship is well-suited for students interested in AI research, software engineering, and real-world applications of machine learning.
15. Science and Technologies for Phosphorus Sustainability (STEPS) Research Experience for Undergraduates
Location: One of nine STEPS academic institutions
Stipend: $7,000
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Highly competitive; approximately 15 students
Dates: May 19 – July 30
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Undergraduate students from a variety of disciplines, including but not limited to chemistry, environmental engineering, materials science, computer science, plant sciences, biochemistry, economics, sociology, and biology (graduating seniors are not eligible); U.S. citizens or permanent residents
In this program, you will begin with a cone-week orientation introducing convergence research and the environmental and technical challenges associated with phosphorus management. You will be placed at a partner institutions to work on an independent research project in areas such as nanoengineering, wireless sensor development, nanomaterials research, or soil and water quality analysis. You will receive close mentorship from faculty, STEPS Scholars, and graduate researchers while contributing to ongoing laboratory or field-based projects. In addition to individual research, you will also collaborate with your cohort on a group convergence project.
Image source - Boeing logo