15 Great Engineering Internships for High School Students

If you're a motivated high school student who’s considering engineering as a college major or career choice, you might be looking for an internship. 

Considering how technical engineering fields are, gaining some real-world experience can be very useful in helping you decide your stream, build some skills and a valuable network. Finding and getting into such internships, however, isn’t always easy. To make things easier, we’ve listed 15 engineering internships in various domains, from aerospace engineering to environmental engineering, that we think can be a good fit for high school students!

1. Ladder Internships - Engineering Track

Location: Virtual. You can work from anywhere in the world!
Eligibility: High school students, undergraduates, and gap year students who can contribute 5-15 work hours per week for 8-16 weeks can apply.
Application Deadline: Spring cohort: February 18, 2024 | Summer cohort (early admission): February 18, 2024 | Summer cohort (regular admission): April 14, 2024. Fall and winter cohorts are also available.
Dates: Varies for cohorts. Summer cohorts run June-August.
Cost: $1,990 (financial aid available)

Ladder Internships is a competitive program that selects around 100 high school students annually and pairs them with startups and nonprofits across the globe. Following a structured system, Ladder offers 8 sessions with the host company. Longer research internships are also offered! Students can choose the field and industry they wish to intern in, with options ranging from tech, machine learning and AI, to engineering, health tech, and more. Interns will work closely with their startup managers, along with a Ladder coach who will guide them through the internship. You will work on a project that’s of genuine importance to the startup, and present your work at the end of the internship. The program also includes skill-building lessons and 1-on-1 and group training sessions. 

2. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of Navy

Location: Varies based on lab locations.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old, have completed Grade 9, and are U.S. citizens can apply.
Application Deadline: Applications open in August and close on November 1 every year. 
Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend — $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)

This is a prestigious, research-focused apprenticeship that places high school students in Department of Navy laboratories across the country. With approximately 300 placements across over 38 laboratories nationwide, SEAP is highly competitive. During this program, you will work with leading researchers and engineers at Navy facilities on real Naval research, while being mentored by expert Navy scientists and engineers. While working on projects hands-on, you will gain valuable knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines, including engineering. 

Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest. Engineering is a popular area of research, so you will have the flexibility to choose labs all over the country. Some research topics that have been covered are development of Ansys fluent workflow for axial fan simulation and flow around object, and analysis of CSS Georgia bones and various consolidants. 

3. NASA Office of STEM Engagements (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. Students applying must be at least 16 years old and be US citizens. 
Application Deadline: February 2, 2024 (for summer internships). Spring and fall internships are also available.
Dates: May-August (10 weeks)
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns may receive a stipend based on academic level and session length.

NASA Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) offers internships at its locations across the country in a range of subjects and disciplines, including space science, engineering, aeronautics, technology, space microbiology, and even outreach and communications. These internships are prestigious opportunities for students to contribute to projects in areas such as 3D modeling, robotics, civil engineering, and aerospace engineering, that are 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.

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. 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. 

4. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at TexasTech University

Location: TexasTech University campus, Lubbock, TX. This is a residential program!
Eligibility: Students who will be at least 17 years old by the program start date, are set to graduate in 2024 or 2025, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents can apply.
Application Deadline: February 15, 2024
Dates: June 16, 2024 - August 1, 2024 (7 weeks)
Stipend: $750 (on completion of the program)
Cost: Free. The program covers on-campus housing, meals, and weekend activities. Students are responsible for their own travel, personal, and medical expenses. 

With an acceptance rate of less than 3%, this highly competitive program only takes  in 12 high school students each year. Once selected, you will join a cohort of high-achieving students to conduct research across a wide range of fields, including engineering, and receive 1-on-1 mentorship and guidance from some of the country’s top scholars. As part of the program, you will also attend discussions, seminars and field visits.

During this program, students can expect to gain practical research experience, build their knowledge base, and engage in social activities. Students will learn from experienced faculty members of the university’s engineering department. More information about the research disciplines available for this program will be updated on the program website soon. In 2023, the program offered research options in biology, physics, electrical and computer engineering, and chemistry. 

5. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) 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.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A stipend is provided, but information on the exact amount is not available.

Part of the U.S. Department of Energy, the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) offers 6-week internships where students will learn to apply 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 materials science, civil, electrical and chemical engineering, cybersecurity, clean energy technology, information management, and advanced transportation technology. Internship opportunities are divided based on research subjects and the skills required for each. You can apply to as many potential areas of interest you may have! The program also offers internships in business administration, finance and accounting internships. In each area of interest, the number of research topics is also vast. You can view projects in all the fields through their ‘Intern Poster’ sessions.

6. QuarkNet Summer Research Program at Fermilab

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, 2024
Dates: June 17, 2024 – August 2, 2024
Stipend: $16.20 per hour

As a leading U.S. Department of Energy laboratory, Fermilab offers this 7-week summer internship program where students interested in engineering physics can contribute to Fermilab research. Fermilab is America’s premier lab for particle physics research. 

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! 

7. Research Science Institute (RSI) at MIT

Location: MIT, Cambridge, MA.
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, 2023. Check the program page for 2025 dates.
Dates: July - August
Cost/Stipend: There is no cost to attend, and there is no stipend offered. Students will need to arrange for housing, transportation, and meals.

Research Science Institute (RSI) is a selective program that allows students to explore the field of technology and innovative research. This prestigious program, hosted by the Center for Excellence in Education (in collaboration with MIT), offers an environment where you will dive into high-level scientific inquiry, exploring technology through hands-on projects, and engaging in discussions with leading researchers and experts in the field. The RSI experience extends beyond classroom learning, providing you with access to state-of-the-art laboratories, top-notch equipment, and mentorship opportunities with distinguished scientists. The program structure entails a week of intensive STEM classes with experienced professors, followed by 5 weeks of students working on their projects under the mentorship of scientists and researchers, and a final week of preparing and conducting written and oral presentations. The program only accepts 100 highly-qualified students each year.

8. 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. 
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive $468.80 per week. 

This program gives you 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). You will work on hands-on projects in research areas such as biomedical engineering, aerospace engineering, electrical engineering, additive manufacturing, biochemistry, aerodynamic modeling, adaptive optics, photovoltaics, and more.

These opportunities are also open to undergraduate and graduate-level students so be sure to filter for specific opportunities open to high school students. Go through some of the mentor bios here!

9. NASA and UT Austin’s SEES High School Summer Intern Program

Location: Hybrid (on-site experience at the University of Austin, Texas campus)
Eligibility: High school juniors who hold U.S. citizenship can apply.
Application Deadline: February 24, 2024
Dates: July 1, 2024 - July 6, 2024 (online work with mentors) | July 7, 2024 - July 20, 2024 (on-site for 11th graders) | July 27, 2024 - August 4, 2024 (on-site for 10th graders)
Cost/Stipend: None. Housing, meals, and local transportation will be provided. A limited number of travel scholarships to Texas are available.

A highly prestigious, highly competitive competition (with an acceptance rate of 3-4%, 6-7 students make it to each cohort) for high school students, the SEES is hosted by UT Austin in collaboration with NASA. This is a national-level internship program, where you can work beside NASA subject matter experts. The program is focused on Earth and space research and relies on interns to assist with analyzing and visualizing data - key aspects of moving a project faster and foundational knowledge for aerospace engineering. All project teams will present their research during the Virtual SEES Science Symposium. 

There is a virtual, learning component to the program and then an onsite experience on campus at the University of Texas, Austin. You are also expected to present your research at the program's concluding symposium. 

10. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program at California Academy of Sciences

Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA.
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, 2024.
Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. 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. 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. 

Note: The CiS Intern Program is selective and prestigious, accepting only around 50 students each year.

11. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships

Location: While there are AEOP locations in almost every state, students in DC may select their preferred location.
Eligibility: Those applying must be current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. Additional eligibility requirements vary by location.
Application deadline: Applications typically close in March.
Dates: This is a summer internship program, specific dates vary from location to location.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend varies from location to location.

This internship is a chance to work one-on-one with a university researcher or Department of Defense (DoD) scientist mentor on research projects. As an apprentice, you will be exposed to high-tech equipment and cutting-edge techniques in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities, and work with professional scientists and engineers. The Army-sponsored research that you will be a part of addresses the country’s biggest challenges. Research areas include nanotechnology, regenerative medicine, chemical engineering, and neuroscience. This apprenticeship fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and teamwork, preparing you for your future career in STEM.

12. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Internships

Location: Varies from lab to lab.
Eligibility: Rising seniors and recent graduates who are eligible to work in the U.S., and have maintained a minimum of a 3.0 GPA, can apply.
Application Deadline: February 13, 2024
Dates: June 18, 2024 - August 9, 2024 (tentative)
Cost: No participation cost (students must cover their own housing and transportation costs)

The Summer High School Intern Program by NIST is a program for students who have finished their junior or senior year of high school (by the start of the program). In this program, students will engage in cutting-edge research at NIST and work closely with NIST staff scientists and engineers on a specific research topic. Six NIST laboratories participate in the SHIP program: Communications Technology Lab, Engineering Lab, Information Technology Lab, Material Measurement Lab, NIST Center for Neutron Research and Physical Measurement Lab. Some research areas can include sustainable manufacturing, intelligent manufacturing (such as automation, robotics, and equipment), net zero-energy buildings, integrated and automated construction processes, just to name a few. You can look at the full list here!

13. Sandia National Laboratories Internship

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
Cost/Stipend: No cost. 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, and they offer prestigious internships for students during the summer and year-round. Students can apply for technical, business, and R&D roles, which will allow them to work on impactful national projects. This internship provides an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a research environment. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced scientists and engineers on projects that contribute to technological advancements. Intern positions cover cyber security, energy, engineering, and software, under the guidance of a manager, who will help define your work assignment, schedule and the duration of your internship. 

• 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.

14. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace

Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Eligibility: Students 15 years or older by July 1, 2020, who attend a NYC public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace, can apply.
Application deadline: Applications typically open in the fall and close in February.
Program dates: February 28, 2024 - May 23, 2024 (spring session) | July 1, 2024 - August 16, 2024 (summer session). For more information, take a look at the region-wise program information.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Students receive a stipend of $2,000.

Genspace, a community biotech lab in NYC, offers an internship for students keen to explore biotechnology and genetic engineering. Through this research internship program, you will conduct research work in a range of diverse topics such as DNA sequencing, genetic engineering, and bioinformatics. Your mentors will help deepen your understanding of the intricate workings of life sciences. The program provides access to state-of-the-art laboratory facilities and technologies, encouraging you to develop essential laboratory techniques and analytical skills. A few research subjects that student interns covered in the past, as a part of this program, include the behaviors of biofilm and Zebrafish liver cells as biosensors. This focuses on practical learning, allowing students to conduct real experiments in a fully-equipped biotech laboratory. 

If you're interested in biomedical engineering, another internship you can consider applying to is the High School Summer Internship Program (HS-SIP) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

15. SPARK Summer Internship Program (SIP)

Location:  Greater Seattle Area
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 40 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Application deadline: May (based on past year's dates)
Program dates: 6-8 weeks, June to August 
Cost/Stipend: No cost. A $500 stipend is offered for some. Some internships might be unpaid.

Spark SIP is a highly prestigious internship opportunity open to all high schoolers interested in computer science, engineering and related disciplines. Students will dive into 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 2023 cohort, the research project list included the following topics (among others):

• DNA Sequence Classification based on Electrical Signatures 

• 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) 

• Engineering Sales & Marketing

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. 

If you’re looking for a competitive mentored research program in subjects like data science, machine learning, political theory, biology, and chemistry, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs!

This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper in a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from.

You can find the application link here!

Looking for an immersive internship experience?
Check out Ladder Internships!

Ladder Internships is a selective, virtual internship program where students work with startups and nonprofits from around the world! The startups range across a variety of industries, with a large number of them in tech. As part of their internship, each student will work on a real-world project that is of genuine need to the startup they are working with, and present their work at the end of their internship. In addition to working closely with their manager from the startup, each intern will also work with a Ladder Coach throughout their internship. Apply now!

Stephen is one of the founders of Ladder Internships and a Harvard College graduate.