11 Online Engineering Internships for High School Students
If you are a high school student interested in the field of engineering, an internship is worth considering. Often, though, in-person internships in STEM subjects can be inaccessible and expensive, which is why we’ve curated this list of the top 11 online engineering internships for high school students!
Internships are a great way to gain real-world experience, acquire new skills, and get familiar with professional settings. Through internships, students can expand their professional network, strengthen their college applications, and explore possible future pathways. Additionally, internships help you acquire essential soft skills, such as problem-solving, cooperation, and communication.
Here are a few internships you can consider!
Location: Virtual
Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including winter, spring, summer, and fall.
Cost: $2,490. Financial aid is available.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students.
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Approximately 100 high school students are chosen each year for the competitive Ladder Internships program, which places students with companies and organizations globally as interns. Ladder provides eight sessions with a hosting company (startup) in a structured manner so students can optimize the opportunity.
Students have a wide range of possibilities for their internship, including tech, machine learning, artificial intelligence, engineering, health technology, and more. Along with a Ladder coach who will mentor you throughout the internship, you will collaborate closely with a manager from the host organization. Throughout the internship, you will work on a project of significance to the startup and learn what it takes to deliver the agreed-upon results. One-on-one and group training sessions and skill-building lectures also form part of the program.
2. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Program
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based in cities they are in.
Dates: These internships are offered in 3 sessions – Fall (16-week program, from late August or early September to mid-December) | Spring (16-week program, from mid-January to early May) | Summer (10-week program, from late May or early June to August).
Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.
Eligibility: Internships are available for full-time high school students who meet a minimum 3.0 GPA requirement.
Application deadline: January (Fall session) | August (Spring session) | October (Summer session)
The NASA OSTEM (Office of STEM Engagement) High School Internship Programmes are ideal for high school students who have a strong interest in mechanical engineering and space exploration. You will be able to interact with state-of-the-art technology leading the way in satellite communication, aeronautical engineering, and space exploration. These internships offer a rich, engaging environment, regardless of your interest in software development, robotics, or the intricate mechanics of spacecraft. This is where you may put your theoretical understanding to use, solving concrete, everyday problems by working with mentors who are research scientists, engineers, and professionals from a wide range of other fields.
This internship serves as a springboard into space exploration and cutting-edge technology. In addition to improving your comprehension of mechanical engineering, working on projects involving satellite communication, aerospace engineering, and other cutting-edge technology will spark your creativity and problem-solving abilities.
Location: Virtual
Dates: June 17 - August 9
Cost: None.
Eligibility: Students who will be in grades 11-12 at the time of application, OR full-time community college students (within the first 3 years of community college), are eligible to apply.
Application Deadline: Application typically closes in January
Stanford SHTEM: Summer Internship provides a unique opportunity for students to explore computer science and innovative technology. Through projects and group activities, participants are engaged in an experiential learning process, vastly different from traditional classroom instructions. During the internship, participants conducted computer science research, facilitated remotely, and received the supplies needed for hardware projects. All the while, they remain in constant contact with their mentors and other group members.
Interns will get the chance to expand their knowledge of the ever-changing tech sector under the direction of Stanford faculty members and professionals from the industry. The program's focus on multidisciplinary collaboration encourages the development of technical capabilities in addition to teamwork and communication, mirroring real-world settings in tech. Interns are expected to dedicate 30 to 40 hours weekly to the program.
Location: Virtual
Dates: The start date for the cohort is November 11
Cost: $2,490
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
Application Deadline: October 20
The AI Internship Program by Veritas AI is founded and run by Harvard graduate students. Through the 8-week internship, students have the opportunity to work with VC-backed startups on real-world AI/ML projects. Students work directly with mentors from Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, McKinsey & Company, and more.
This program is a great opportunity for students who have prior experience with AI/ML and are looking to gain real-world exposure to a career in the field. Students get a chance to network with industry professionals, work closely with company leadership, and receive a letter of completion from the company at the end of the internship. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
5. Energy Mag Research Internships
Location: Virtual
Dates: Rolling
Stipend: Unpaid
Eligibility: Sophomores, juniors, and seniors who have taken at least one honors science or honors English class and have a GPA over 3.25
Application Deadline: Applications are open all year round
EnergyMag is a non-profit organization that provides flexible virtual research opportunities to students interested in exploring renewable energy, and energy storage domains.
As an intern, you will be assigned to research specific companies, technologies, and prospective markets. Your work will involve establishing contact with persons who can provide relevant information. You’ll also have the opportunity to submit your draft analysis reports to EnergyMag for publication. You will be assigned to a mentor, who will review your work and provide consistent feedback. This enables you to build a strong foundation in research and analysis while meaningfully contributing to ongoing projects.
6. ASSIP at George Mason University
Location: Virtual options available
Dates: June 18 – August 8
Cost: $25 application fee (can be waived based on financial need)
Eligibility: High school students at least 15 years old by the program start date
Application Deadline: February 2
The Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP), offered by George Mason University, is an excellent research opportunity for students interested in STEM fields. Throughout the internship, you will engage in one-on-one collaborations with university faculty and researchers from affiliated institutions, gaining practical exposure to advanced technology across multiple disciplinary domains. Key areas of study include spatial sciences, mathematical modeling, physics, renewable energy, micro/nano-manufacturing, robotics, and more.
You will also receive guidance in exploring diverse STEM career paths through discussion forums, while simultaneously refining your scientific writing and communication abilities. A standout feature of this program is that by the end, you might have the chance to publish your research in scientific journals and present your findings at conferences.
7. MIT Beaverworks Summer Institute
Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts | Virtual options available
Dates: Between July and August
Fee: $1,750 for families with an income greater than $150,000
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors enrolled in US schools
Application Deadline: Usually in March
The Beaver Works Summer Institute (BWSI), hosted by MIT, is an exceptional opportunity for students eager to explore the fields of robotics, autonomous systems, and mechanical engineering. As a participant in BWSI, you will gain valuable experience in learning to design, build, and program robotic systems while developing a highly rigorous understanding of mechanical engineering concepts. The program equips you with key foundations in the latest technologies, engineering practices, and computer science advancements and techniques.
One of the program's most exciting features is the collaborative project, where you will get to work together with other students to create autonomous drones, rovers, or other innovative robotic systems. This project culminates in a final presentation, allowing you to demonstrate your creations. BWSI is a good fit for you if you want to tackle challenging projects and explore your passion for mechanical engineering in a supportive, intellectually stimulating environment.
Location: Virtual
Dates: 3 weeks in July (tentatively)
Cost: $4,000 (financial aid available in 25%, 50%, and 100% slabs)
Eligibility: Grade 9 students (rising grade 10 students during the summer) with demonstrated academic excellence, problem-solving skills, and mathematical abilities, volunteering experiences, leadership record, and a recommendation letter
Application Deadline: Usually in February
The Stanford AI4ALL is a 3-week virtual program collaboratively organized by the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory and the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), in partnership with the nonprofit AI4ALL. This program is a fantastic opportunity for students to explore AI applications and advancements, combining lectures, interactive research projects, and mentoring sessions.
It also engages with the ethical aspects of AI, placing questions of diversity and inclusion at the forefront of AI use in areas such as healthcare, poverty reduction, and disaster management. During the program, you will participate in small-group research initiatives led by graduate students and postdoctoral researchers in computer science and AI. These sessions will focus on how AI can address significant societal issues, giving you the chance to gain insights into its capacities for crafting long-term solutions.
9. ASPIRE–John Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory
Location: Maryland | Virtual options available
Dates: The program commences in late June; 6-9 weeks
Stipend: Unpaid
Eligibility: US high school students with permanent residence in the Washington-Baltimore Metro Area; at least 15 years of age; a demonstrated minimum of 2.8 GPA
Application Deadline: The 2025 applications will open on January 1 and close on February 15
The ASPIRE program, hosted by Johns Hopkins University’s Applied Physics Lab, offers committed high school students a glimpse into the diverse careers in STEM. As an intern, you will be paired with APL staff mentors to complete projects and learn critical scientific research techniques.
The program provides both in-person and virtual internships, allowing you to choose your area of interest, whether it’s engineering, mathematics, data analysis, biology, or physics. During the program, you will get to assist your mentors with research, data analysis, and problem-solving on ongoing projects. This ensures you gain practical experience in conducting experiments, analyzing results, and executing lab protocols.
This opportunity is ideal for aspiring engineering students looking to deepen their understanding of emerging technologies and acquire essential STEM skills. It can be a solid foundation for the exploration of fields like structural analysis, materials engineering, and environmental engineering.
10. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program
Location: Online with an option of being on-site at Austin.
Dates: Each virtual project has a different timeline, within May to July. Please review the project description for additional details. Check here
Cost/Stipend: No cost; unpaid, but interns receive a NASA certificate upon completion.
Eligibility:
- Current high school Sophomores or Juniors (rising Juniors/Seniors).
- Must be 16 by July 5, 2025
- U.S. Citizens
Application Deadlines: February 22
The SEES High School Summer Intern Program gives students the chance to collaborate with NASA experts on space and satellite research. Selected interns must complete virtual activities by July 1, 2025, to remain eligible. In July, both virtual and on-site interns will work with NASA scientists. The program culminates in the SEES Science Symposium, where you’ll present your research to NASA experts and guests. Be sure your schedule allows for full participation, as prior commitments could interfere with your involvement.
11. Summer Advanced AI Robotics Program - High School: Evodyne
Location: Evodyne Robotics Academy, Mountain View, CA. with online options as well
Dates: June 9 - June 27 | July 7- July 25
Cost/Stipend: The program costs $1,749
Application Deadlines: Not mentioned, however applications are currently open
Eligibility: Applicants must be a current junior in high school, being at least 16 years old along with having proficiency in CAD modeling (Fusion 360), Advanced Python programming (beyond basic classes) and/or Soldering and electronics
Evodyne's Research Lab offers an online robotics internship for high school students interested in advanced robotics and engineering. You’ll work on enhancing and designing robots, assist in summer programs, and gain experience in CAD modeling, Python programming, electronics, web development, and AI tools. Projects include programming robot dogs and optimizing components for 3D printing. The program requires proficiency in at least one technical skill and a strong commitment to complex challenges. It provides an intensive, rewarding experience for aspiring roboticists and engineers.