Updated October 2026
Mechanical engineering is all about figuring out how things work and how to make them better. If you are interested in machines, robotics, manufacturing, vehicles, or product design, a mechanical engineering internship can give you a chance to explore these areas outside the classroom. You might work on a design project, build and test a prototype, use engineering software, or learn from engineers and researchers. An internship can also help you understand what studying and working in mechanical engineering could look like before you get to college.
TL;DR
This article covers 12 mechanical engineering internships you can pursue as a high school student, most of which are run by federal research labs, national laboratories, and university engineering programs. You will find paid opportunities at places like AFRL, SEAP, NIST, and national labs in Idaho and New Mexico, alongside university-based research experiences at Princeton, NYU, Texas Tech, and Stony Brook. If you are not near one of these host sites, Ladder Internships offers virtual experiences. It is worth checking each program's location, cost, and eligibility requirements to assess which ones align with your preferences and goals.
Why should you do a mechanical engineering internship?
A mechanical engineering internship can give you a chance to see how the concepts you learn in math and science are used to solve practical problems. Depending on the program, you might work in a lab, engineering facility, university, or company alongside engineers or researchers. You may also get to explore areas such as robotics, aerospace, manufacturing, energy, or product design. If you are considering mechanical engineering as a college major, an internship can help you get a better sense of what the field involves.
How do you apply for a mechanical engineering internship?
Start by checking each program's eligibility requirements, application deadline, and required materials. Some internships may ask for a transcript, resume, essays, recommendations, or evidence of relevant coursework, while others may have fewer requirements. You should also check whether the program requires previous experience in engineering, programming, CAD, or another technical area. Since many summer internships have deadlines well before the program starts, give yourself enough time to prepare your application and request any recommendations you need. If this is your first-ever internship, use our guide to applying for internships without any experience to be better prepared!
To get you started, we have put together a list of 12 mechanical engineering internships for high school students! We have prioritized credible opportunities that let you build technical skills, network with professionals, and explore relevant career paths.
If you are looking for more structured experiences, explore our selection of summer programs in mechanical engineering and broader engineering internships.
Quick overview
|
Program type |
Top programs |
Cost |
Best for |
|
Federal and military research programs |
Free; stipends of $506.80/week – $4,500 overall stipend |
Students who want paid, hands-on research at a defense-related federal facility |
|
|
National laboratory programs |
NIST SHIP, Idaho National Laboratory Internships, Sandia National Laboratories Internships |
Free (stipends vary; Sandia offers competitive hourly pay) |
Students near a national lab who want technical, engineering-focused research experience |
|
University-based research programs |
Texas Tech Clark Scholars, NYU ARISE, Princeton LLP, Stony Brook Simons Summer Research |
Free – $25 application fee; stipends of $750 – $2,000 available |
Students seeking mentored research on a university campus, from highly selective to more accessible options |
|
Mentorship opportunities and virtual programs |
Fees apply (aid available for Ladder); some SPARK internships offer stipends of up to $500 |
Students who want remote flexibility or closer, mentor-led project guidance without needing to relocate |
12 Mechanical Engineering Internships for High School Students
1. Ladder Internships
Location: Remote! You can participate from anywhere in the world.
Cost: Varies by program type; full financial assistance available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: Multiple cohorts every year, including Fall, Summer, Spring, and Winter
Application deadline: Varies by cohort; Fall (September), Spring (January), Summer (May), and Winter (November)
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10 to 20 hours a week for 8 to 12 weeks; open to high school, undergraduate, and gap year students!
Ladder Internships is a selective startup internship program for ambitious high school students! Through the program, you will work with a high-growth startup on an internship. Startups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from AI/ML and tech/deep tech to journalism, health tech, marketing, consulting, and more. Ladder’s startups are high-growth companies that, on average, raise more than $1 million. You will work closely with a manager on real-world projects and present your work to the company. The virtual internship is usually eight weeks long. Apply now!
Who it’s best for: Students looking for firsthand exposure to startup culture and a fully virtual internship experience.
2. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Several Air Force research sites in the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend is typically $506.80/week; a few sites offer bigger stipends + travel coverage (check details here)
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective program; exact details not publicly available
Dates: Vary by site and internship; typically a minimum commitment of 8 weeks is required, with most internships running 10 – 12 weeks in the spring, summer, or fall.
Application deadline: Summer: January 10 | Fall/Spring: Not specified
Eligibility: Upper-level high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students who are U.S. citizens and 16+
The ARFL Scholars Program is a paid internship that offers high school and college students research-focused experiences at federal facilities. You will join an active research project team at an Air Force lab, with placements spanning various disciplines, including mechanical engineering. You will work in a lab setting under the supervision of scientists and engineers, learn about ongoing Air Force research and development work, and explore career paths over eight weeks or more. You may work with real experimental data, help design experiments, and/or document research findings. You can also return to the program in subsequent years to continue engaging in engineering research.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in Air Force research and seeking a credible paid internship experience.
3. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: U.S. Department of the Navy laboratories (multiple sites nationwide)
Cost/Stipend: Free; $4,000 stipend for first-time participants, and $4,500 stipend for returning participants
Acceptance rate/cohort size: ~300 placements across 38+ labs nationwide
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer; term can be extended to 10 weeks.
Application deadline: November 1; applications open on August 1.
Eligibility: Rising high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens; some labs may accept permanent residents and dual citizens (check individual lab pages for additional requirements here).
SEAP places high school students in Department of the Navy (DoN) laboratories to contribute to real naval research for 8 to 10 weeks during the summer. As a participant, you will spend time in labs, explore naval research, including mechanical engineering-focused projects, and work alongside scientists and engineers. While the exact work can vary by site, you will connect with researchers and learn about careers in naval research and engineering at SEAP. The program will also let you shadow STEM professionals and attend seminars and presentations alongside peers and scientists.
Who it’s best for: High schoolers in the U.S. looking for a paid opportunity focused on naval STEM research.
4. Texas Tech University’s Anson L. Clark Scholars Program
Location: Texas Tech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Cost/Stipend: $25 application fee; $750 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 12 participants/year
Dates: June 21 – August 6
Application deadline: February 16
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents and at least 17 by the start date
Run for a small cohort of high schoolers every year, the Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a seven-week immersive research experience that pairs students with Texas Tech faculty to work on original research projects. You will conduct one-on-one research on campus, with mechanical engineering projects typically available. The experience will move beyond the lab through seminars, discussions, and field trips that will expose you to research and career pathways. Social activities will also be part of the schedule to help you connect with peers. The program will conclude with the submission of a formal research report, which can be your chance to practice documenting scientific findings.
Who it’s best for: Students looking for a selective, mentored research experience on a university campus.
5. AEOP (Army Educational Outreach Program) Internships
Location: Multiple research sites across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipends are available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Competitive
Dates: June – August; dates vary by opportunity
Application deadline: Varies by lab position
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents; specific roles can have additional criteria
AEOP places high school interns at U.S. Army facilities and university labs to work with scientists or engineers on real research. As an intern, you will work directly under the supervision of a scientist or engineer, contributing to active research projects, with opportunities available within mechanical engineering. You may help run experiments, collect data, or conduct lab work. The program will also offer access to mentorship from a STEM professional, educational workshops and sessions, and opportunities to connect with the broader program network.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in STEM research who are looking for a credible, lab-based internship.
6. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: NIST in Gaithersburg, MD, or Boulder, CO
Cost/Stipend: None
Acceptance rate/cohort size: 10.4% acceptance rate; 35 students in the last cohort
Dates: June 22 – August 7
Application deadline: January 26
Eligibility: High school juniors or seniors with a GPA of 3.0 or higher; applicants must be U.S. citizens living within 50 miles of either of the NIST campuses.
NIST is home to several labs that host high school interns during the summer through SHIP, a seven-week research-focused program. You will join one of NIST’s laboratories, with opportunities spanning STEM areas, including mechanical engineering. Your daily schedule may include running experiments, working with real experimental or measurement science data, engaging in and documenting research work, or assisting with technical investigations through other placement-specific tasks. At the end of SHIP, you will showcase your work in the form of a poster.
Who it’s best for: Students near NIST campuses in Maryland or Colorado who are interested in working within a government agency for the summer.
7. NYU Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering (ARISE)
Location: New York University’s Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn/New York, NY
Cost/Stipend: No cost; $2,000 stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; exact details not specified
Dates: June 1 – August 14
Application deadline: February 27
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors or seniors who live and attend school in NYC
ARISE is a 10-week research program that offers high schoolers lab training and the chance to work on research projects in New York University labs. In the first four weeks, you will participate in training sessions to learn about lab safety, college writing, and research skills. During the next six weeks, you will work on a research project in an NYU lab, with placements spanning a range of engineering fields, including mechanical engineering. You will spend the summer gaining about 150 hours of lab experience, attending skill-building workshops, and working on your research presentation, which you will deliver at the end of the experience. The program will also offer sessions focused on college applications and access to the ARISE alumni network.
Who it’s best for: NYC high schoolers seeking paid research experience and structured lab training within an engineering school.
8. Princeton University Laboratory Learning Program (LLP)
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, NJ
Cost/Stipend: None; some labs may offer a stipend
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; 1 – 2 students/lab selected out of ~3,500 applications
Dates: Five to six weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 17
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16, enrolled in a high school, U.S. citizens, and able to provide proof of local housing and transportation in New Jersey
Princeton’s LLP is a selective full-time, in-person summer internship, where you will work with faculty and research staff on real projects in the sciences and engineering. The project focus and tasks vary by placement, but typically include projects in mechanical engineering. You may engage in lab work, data analysis, modeling, and/or scientific writing, depending on the project. You will follow a schedule set by your assigned Princeton lab and complete safety training before starting placement-specific work. At the end of LLP, you will submit a two-page research summary describing your research work.
Who it’s best for: New Jersey students seeking a free, credible, lab-based summer experience on a university campus.
9. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Internships
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Cost/Stipend: No cost; stipend paid
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective
Dates: 10 to 16 weeks; dates vary by opportunity
Application deadline: Varies by opportunity
Eligibility: Full-time students attending accredited high schools or colleges with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0; international students at accredited U.S. institutions must have valid Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization.
Internships at INL let students explore what it is like to work at a national laboratory in areas such as mechanical engineering, materials science, cybersecurity, clean energy, and more. You will spend most of your time working on laboratory projects and the rest on seminars, lab tours, and networking. You may also get to work closely with mentors, who can guide you throughout the experience and offer insights into career paths. You will conclude your internship experience with a final project presentation.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in working at a national laboratory and willing to commute to INL in Idaho.
10. Internships @ Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Sandia National Laboratories, Albuquerque, NM, and Livermore, CA
Cost/Stipend: Free; competitive hourly pay and benefits available
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Not publicly disclosed
Dates: Year-round and summer internships (10 to 12 weeks) available
Application deadline: Varies based on specific opportunity
Eligibility: Students who are 16+ and enrolled full-time at accredited high schools, colleges, or universities; a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 for undergraduate and high school students applying for clerical or labor-based positions and 3.0 for undergraduate and high school students applying for R&D, technical, or business positions is required.
Sandia National Laboratories’ internships and co-op programs are designed for students interested in research and technical work within lab settings. During the internship, you will contribute to real projects in areas like engineering, energy, cybersecurity, and advanced research. Depending on your placement, you will work with researchers, engineers, or other professionals and receive guidance throughout the experience. In addition to the placement-specific work, you may attend networking events, engage in leadership activities, access employee resource groups, and join professional development programs that can help you build workplace skills and explore paths in STEM.
Who it’s best for: Students interested in hands-on paid lab experiences and able to work in Sandia’s facilities in New Mexico or California.
11. Stony Brook University’s Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University campus, Stony Brook, NY
Cost/Stipend: No tuition ($2,450 housing costs apply for residential students); stipend available
Acceptance rate: <5%
Dates: June 29 – August 7
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school juniors, ages 16 and up, who are U.S. citizens/permanent residents
The Simons Summer Research Program is a selective opportunity for high schoolers interested in contributing to research in science and engineering. You will work alongside Stony Brook faculty mentors within a research group on real projects in university laboratories. Placements span STEM areas, including mechanical engineering. Your daily schedule may involve tasks like conducting experiments, running simulations, or working with datasets, depending on the project focus. The experience will also include lectures and workshops that will cover broader STEM concepts and research basics. Your work will conclude with the completion of a written abstract and a presentation at a symposium.
Who it’s best for: Students who are looking for a STEM research experience on a university campus and are planning to spend the summer in Stony Brook, NY.
12. SPARK Summer Mentorship Program (SMP)
Location: Virtual or in-person in the Greater Seattle area, WA; other locations may also be available
Cost/Stipend: Small registration fee and project costs may apply; paid (up to $500 stipend) and unpaid opportunities are both available.
Acceptance rate/cohort size: Selective; the number varies by project
Dates: 8 – 10 weeks between June and August
Application deadline: Typically, April/May
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
SPARK SMP connects high school students to project teams led by mentors who are professionals from academia, industry, or research. You will spend a few weeks in the summer working on real projects in science and engineering, depending on your mentor’s expertise. You may work on research-focused tasks while learning how collaborative workplace environments operate. Mentors will outline the project scope, overall expectations, and deliverables at the start of the program. You will learn about technical workflows and problem-solving, and may even gain access to professional development opportunities. The experience may wrap up with a presentation of project outcomes to peers and mentors.
Who it’s best for: Students seeking mentored work experiences and opportunities to collaborate with professionals on real STEM projects.
What skills can you build as a mechanical engineering intern?
Mechanical engineering internships can help you develop both technical and practical skills. Depending on the program, you may practice computer-aided design, prototyping, testing, data analysis, programming, robotics, or laboratory methods. You may also engage in problem-solving, teamwork, and communication, and learn how to present your work. The specific skills you gain will depend on the projects and activities included in each internship.
Can a mechanical engineering internship help with your college applications?
A mechanical engineering internship can give you specific experiences to discuss when applying to college, especially if you plan to study engineering or a related technical field. Here’s how the internship experience can help your profile stand out:
Demonstrate your understanding of the field: In your applications, you can discuss a project, experiment, or research experience that helped you learn about the field outside your regular classes.
Explain your interest in your chosen major: An internship can give you concrete examples of what interests you about mechanical engineering and why you want to study it in college. If the experience helped you become interested in a related area such as robotics, aerospace, or product design, you can explain how it influenced what you want to explore in college.
Connect classroom learning to real projects: You can discuss how you applied concepts from math, physics, computer science, or other classes during your internship.
Give you material for application essays: A specific challenge you faced or project you completed can be something meaningful to write about rather than simply stating that you are interested in engineering.
To know how to make the most of your experience, start with our guide to using your internship to boost college applications.
Common questions about mechanical engineering internships
1. Do I need prior mechanical engineering coursework or experience to apply?
Most programs don't list mechanical engineering coursework as a strict prerequisite, but several do require a minimum GPA. Certain programs are open to students with a general interest in STEM rather than requiring prior engineering-specific experience.
2. Will I engage in pure mechanical engineering work or explore related fields?
The work varies by placement, but common tasks include running experiments, collecting and analyzing data, assisting with lab research, working with engineers or scientists on active projects in various engineering fields, including mechanical engineering. In some cases, documenting findings for a final report or poster presentation.
3. Can I apply if I don't live near any of these host locations?
Yes. If you're not near a specific lab or university, Ladder Internships is fully remote and open to students anywhere.
4. Are these internships paid?
Several offer competitive hourly pay and stipends of up to $4,500. A few are unpaid. Certain university-based options may offer stipends based on availability.