12 Summer Engineering Internships for High School Students
For high school students, internships can be a way of getting ahead in the field while gaining hands-on experience. If you’re interested in engineering, such programs can offer an opportunity for you to learn from professionals and organizations to explore careers in the field. You can network with professionals, mentors, and peers who could help you in the future.
Internships and similar programs, paid or unpaid, can be accessible ways of exploring your field of interest. Whether you're interested in electrical, software, mechanical, civil, biomedical, chemical, aerospace, or environmental engineering, an internship will enhance your college applications and help you kickstart your journey in your chosen field.
Location: Virtual! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Eligibility: Open to all high school students, who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. These internships are also open to undergraduates and gap year students!
Application Deadline: Multiple deadlines throughout the year.
Dates: 8-week programs with multiple cohorts throughout the year.
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Financial assistance is available.
Ladder Internships offers a selective program providing students with virtual internship experiences at global startups and nonprofits. The program offers various intern positions in a wide range industries, so students can choose the field they wish to work in. The curriculum balances academic enrichment and practical skill development for high school students. These internships offer a structured pathway for real-world research and innovation.
During the internship, students will work on meaningful projects that align with the startup's needs, and present their work at the end of the program. For instance, an intern interested in AI and tech worked on building mini AR models to facilitate STEM learning for children aged 8 and up. Interns will collaborate with their startup manager and a Ladder Coach, who serves as a second mentor. This internship program includes one-on-one training in communication and time management, among other skills, and group training sessions with fellow interns.
The internship opportunities in this program span the globe, with a concentration in the U.S., Asia, Europe, and the UK. Fields include technology, machine learning, AI, finance, environmental science, sustainability, business, marketing, healthcare, medicine, media, journalism, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form.
2. Summer Internships for High School Students (Laboratory Learning Program) at Princeton
Location: Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey
Eligibility: Students who
- are enrolled in a U.S. high school and are at least 16 years old. High school graduates who will not turn 18 by June 15, can apply
- are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International students enrolled in a U.S. high school can also apply. Princeton does not sponsor visas for the program.
Application Deadline: March 15
Dates: 5-6 weeks in the summer, depending on the research project and the schedule of the researchers. Each research project has its own schedule. Interns work full-time, Monday to Friday, with no weekend activities.
Cost/Stipend: None.
The Laboratory Learning Program is a selective, prestigious summer internship for high school students, giving them the unique opportunity to work with faculty and researchers in Princeton laboratories, assisting them with ongoing research, usually in engineering and the natural sciences. Around 25 Princeton laboratories accept 40 interns annually.
Princeton faculty lead research teams, which include postdoctoral, graduate, and undergraduate students, as well as other staff researchers. At the end of the program, interns must produce a two-page research summary report. Research opportunities change every year, depending on the laboratory and the researcher’s focus. Some of the research projects interns participated in last year included:
Machine learning methods for power magnetics modeling
Heat pumps to save the world
Investigating heteroresistance to antibiotics
Machine learning for green power generation
Decoding human genetic variation in human health and disease
Biofuel oxidation at supercritical pressure
You can see the entire list of past research opportunities here.
3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple locations across the country.
Eligibility: High school students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are highly encouraged to apply, but a GPA of less than 3.0 will not disqualify applicants. Students applying must be at least 16 years old (by the application deadline). It’s recommended you read through all the eligibility requirements before applying.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January.
Dates: Varies from project to project, but you can expect it to be during the summer months for 9 weeks.
Stipend: $468.80 per week
Once selected, you will have the opportunity to receive guidance from full-time AFRL scientists and engineers while touring AFRL laboratories and working on cutting-edge research and technology. You can expect to work on areas such as aerospace / mechanical design for morphing aircraft technology, complex electromagnetic structures, and metalens design and modeling (to name a few).
These opportunities are also open to undergraduate and graduate-level students so be sure to filter for specific opportunities open to high school students. A few research areas open to high schoolers are Clean-up of PFAS contamination, Data Structures for Advanced Satellite Navigation Signals, and Experimental Navigation Satellite Signals Simulation and Testing, to name a few.
4. NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) Internships
Location: These internships are offered across NASA facilities. Students may select roles based in cities they are in.
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)
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.
NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers paid internships at locations all around America. These internships are an exceptional opportunity for high school students to contribute to projects ongoing at the agency under the guidance of a NASA mentor. The program provides training, mentoring, and career development opportunities alongside the chance to work with the best science, engineering, financial, information technology and business minds in the world. The internships are offered in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, ecology, and even outreach and communications.
During this internship, you may be involved in designing experiments, analyzing data from space missions, or developing new technologies – engaging in real-world experiences, gaining valuable experience and insight into NASA's work. The program nurtures a passion for scientific discovery. You can check out a complete list of positions here - you may have to use the “Filter” option to see opportunities only open to high school students. If you’re a budding engineer or astrophysicist, interning with NASA is the most prestigious experience you can showcase in your college application!
5. Spark Summer Internship Program (Spark SIP)
Location: Greater Seattle Area
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 40 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Application deadline: May 1 (based on past year's dates)
Dates: 6-8 weeks, June to August
Stipend: $500 for some. Some internships might be unpaid.
Spark SIP is a highly prestigious internship opportunity for budding CS majors in college. A program open to all high schoolers interested in CS and related disciplines, the Spark SIP program allows students to immerse themselves in research opportunities in the field, interact and learn from scholars and leaders, and gain real-world experience through a full-time summer internship program.
Students must select 5-6 projects that they’d like to work on. For the previous cohort, the research project list included the following topics (among others):
2D Materials - A new class of conductors and semiconductors for future
Preparing Python script for crossbar architecture and exploring its various non-idealities.)
Understanding spike-timing and spike-rate impact on Spiking Neural Network (SNN)
The program not only allows you to work on real-world applications of concepts in machine learning, computer programming, computer vision, and neural networks, but also lets you interact and learn from industry leaders, university professors and mentors. Moreover, SPARK provides opportunities and resources that can be used during and after college applications!
6. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Department of Navy (DoN)
Location: There are several lab locations to choose from across the country.
Eligibility: High school students who have completed at least grade 9, are at least 16 years old when the internship begins, can apply. Graduating seniors are eligible as well. There is room for some exceptions. Students are recommended to check whether their preferred lab choice has any other particular requirements.
Application deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1st every year.
Dates: Eight weeks in the summer. Exact dates vary depending on the lab you choose.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participant) | $4,500 (returning participant)
Cost: There are no registration costs, however, housing, meals, transportation, and medical expenses are not covered. You can expect to have to travel to and from your lab, depending on your placement.
This is a great option for you if you want a more research focused internship. SEAP is an immersive 8-week summer program that places academically talented high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories. If you’ve been thinking about science and engineering for your future studies and career, you must consider this program. It’s an opportunity to work with leading researchers and engineers at Navy laboratories and facilities across the country, on real Naval research. During the program, you will receive mentoring from expert scientists and engineers. While working on projects hands-on, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines, such as computer science and aeronautics.
Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest. With approximately 300 placements across over 38 laboratories nationwide, SEAP is highly competitive. Selection is based on academic achievements, personal statements, recommendations, and alignment with career and research interests.
7. MIT Research Science Institute (RSI)
Location: MIT, Cambridge, Massachusetts
Eligibility: Rising high school seniors are eligible. It is recommended that PSAT Math Scores be at least 740 or higher and the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing Score be 700 or higher. ACT math scores should be at least 33 and verbal scores at least 34. |
Application deadline: December 13
Dates: July - August
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to attend, and there is no stipend offered.
Research Science Institute (RSI) is an unparalleled opportunity for you if you want to pursue technology in the future and have a passion for cutting-edge research. This prestigious program, hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education, immerses you in an intellectually stimulating environment where you collaborate with like-minded peers from around the globe. Picture yourself delving into high-level scientific inquiry, exploring technological frontiers through hands-on projects, and engaging in discussions with leading researchers and experts in the field. RSI's commitment to academic excellence and research innovation ensures that you don't just study technology but actively contribute to pushing its boundaries.
The RSI experience extends beyond traditional classroom learning, providing you with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, cutting-edge equipment, and mentorship opportunities with distinguished scientists.
8. California Academy of Science Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California
Eligibility: Students who
- are currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school - check if your school qualifies here;
- have maintained a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in science and math;
- can obtain a valid work permit (US citizens and others authorized to work in the US);
- can commit to all attendance requirements for 2 or 3 years, through high school graduation;
- can commute to the Academy and nearby locations after school and on Saturdays during the school year, and on weekdays in the summer (some remote work may be required);
- demonstrate interest and enthusiasm for learning, teaching, and doing science; can apply.
Application Deadline: April 5
Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation.
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend, but information on the exact amount is not available.
CiS is a multi-year, year-round, paid internship and youth development program for students who come from communities underrepresented in STEM, including girls and students of color. If you’re interested in pursuing a career in the sciences, you can consider this immersive internship program. As an intern, you will work alongside scientists, researchers and educators at the California Academy of Sciences. You will learn the ropes of scientific research and science communication. This internship includes interactive training sessions twice a week, outdoor field activities and guidance on your college applications. In groups, you will work on a science research or environmental action project.
9. QuarkNet Summer Research Program
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL. Note that transportation, housing, or meals will not be provided. Fermilab can help you with discounted rates for local hotels near the internship site.
Eligibility: Open to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are U.S. citizens or those who have a permanent resident status with Illinois high school enrollment. Proof of medical insurance is required.
Application Deadline: January 15
Dates: June 17 – August 2
Stipend: $16.20 per hour
Quarknet offers a 7-week summer internship program where students interested in engineering physics can contribute to Fermilab research. Fermilab (Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory) operates under the U.S Department of Energy’s Office of Science and is America’s premier lab for particle physics research. This internship’s association with the government makes it a prestigious choice for students keen on these STEM fields.
The area of interest is particle physics and accelerator research, and as an intern you will work on projects involving particle physics, particle accelerators and detectors, computer and quantum science to analyze data that is used for understanding the fundamental nature of the universe. Additional responsibilities will include data collection through entrance and exit surveys, writing the team’s research abstract and giving oral presentations!
10. Idaho National Laboratory Internship
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Eligibility: High school students above the age of 16, who hold a U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status are eligible to apply. (Exceptions can be made for foreign nationals who attend an accredited U.S. college or university).
Application Deadline: Typically, applications close in the spring.
Dates: 10-16 weeks in the summer.
Stipend: A stipend is provided, but information on the exact amount is not available.
As part of the U.S. Department of Energy, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) offers 6-week internships for high school students to apply traditional STEM concepts to real-world problems. The internship is split in two parts – 80% of your time will be spent in the lab with your mentor, while 20% will be centered around enrichment and skill-building activities.
Some areas you could work in are advanced transportation technology, clear energy, critical infrastructure protection and cyber security. There are also research topics which include the implementation and analysis of zero-trust architecture, the evolution of cybersecurity on critical infrastructure and thermal constraints violations as a result of ambient adjusted transmission line ratings. You can view projects in all the fields through their ‘Intern Poster’ sessions. Internship opportunities are segregated in these categories based on related sets of research subjects and required skills. You are free to apply to as many potential areas of interest you have! The program also offers internships in business administration, finance and accounting internships along with their STEM internships. In each area of interest, the number of research topics are also various. Past topics have included:
Investigation of Rare Earth Elements Mobility through Molecular Dynamics
Thermogenic Cementous Thermal Storage Material
Advanced Topologies for 3D Printed Heat Exchangers
11. Internships at Sandia National Laboratories
Location: Livermore, CA | Albuquerque, NM } other Sandia sites.
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years old, are enrolled full-time in an accredited college, university or high school, are U.S. citizens can apply. Those applying must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for R&D, technical or business roles.
Application Deadline: Rolling deadline, as internship openings are continuously updated.
Dates: Year-round, if you choose that program option. For the Co-op internships, you can select your internship period, in coordination with Sandia and your school. Summer Interns - 40 hours per week | Year-round Interns - 25 hours per week
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend commensurate to the work they put in, and it will vary with the internship role.
Sandia National Laboratories is a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy’s ‘National Nuclear Security Administration’ (NNSA) and they offer prestigious internships for students during the summer and year-round.
Students can apply for internships in technical, business, and Research & Development roles, which will allow them to work on national projects. These internships are a chance for students to get hands-on experience in a top-notch research environment. As an intern, you will work with experienced scientists and engineers on projects that contribute to technological advancements. Intern positions can include work in cyber security, energy, engineering, and software, under the guidance of a manager, who will help structure your work assignment, schedule and the duration of your internship. You will receive mentorship from some of the country’s top scientists and experts, and cutting-edge training, making these internships a valuable learning experience.
Year-round internships: These allow students who attend local schools to work part-time at a Sandia site, working up to 25 hours a week for high school students, and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks.
Co-op internships: These are conducted in partnership with individual schools, and allow students to take time off during the academic year to gain work experience at Sandia, working up to 40 hours a week. They run for 3–8 months in the academic term and may include an adjacent summer term.
12. MIT Lincoln Laboratory Radar Introduction for Student Engineers
Locations: Held at both the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA and Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA.
Eligibility: Open to rising seniors passionate about STEM who hold US citizenship.
Application Deadline: March 17, 2024
Dates: July 14 - July 27, 2024
Stipend/Cost: None. Housing and meals will be covered.
MIT’s LLRISE program is best suited for students who are specifically interested in an internship in radar systems. During this internship, you will learn how to build small radar systems, such as a Doppler and range radar. You will work with and learn from some of the most skilled scientists and engineers in the field. The workshop will be held at two locations: the MIT campus in Cambridge, MA and Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, MA. This is a selective program, with an acceptance rate of 8-10%.