12 Mechanical Engineering Internships for High School Students
If you’re a high school student considering a career in mechanical engineering, getting practical experience while in high school is a great way to get started! Mechanical engineering involves developing, studying, improving, and researching machines and their mechanical structures and networks in fields like robotics, automotive, aerospace, health, automation, production planning, control systems, and more. If this interests you, you should consider applying for an internship in the field for some valuable exposure.
A good internship helps you explore a specialization, builds relevant skills like data analysis, prototyping, project management, and even computer-aided design (CAD), and demonstrates to college admissions officers that you’re passionate and dedicated. What’s more, based on your work, the organization you intern with could even offer you a job after graduation.
Here, we’ve curated a list of 12 mechanical engineering internships for high school students that you can consider.
1. Ladder Internships - Engineering Track
Location: Virtual
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 5-15 hours/week for 8-16 weeks. The program is also open to gap-year students and college students!
Application Deadline: Summer cohort (priority admission): March 17, 2024 | Summer cohort (regular admission 1): April 14, 2024 | Summer cohort (regular admission 2): May 12, 2024. Fall and winter cohorts are also available
Dates: The exact dates may vary. Summer cohorts typically run June-August
Cost: Starts at $1,990 (financial aid available)
Founded by Harvard alumni, Ladder Internships aims to match qualified students with leading startups and nonprofits across the globe. Organizations students have interned with include Billion Dollar Startup Ideas, JuneBrain, and Fair Opportunity Project. Ladder Internships are competitive: around 100 students get placed annually. Ladder offers internship opportunities in multiple fields, including mechanical engineering.
If selected, you work with your startup manager and a Ladder coach, who will guide you while you work on a real-world project relevant to the company. You will present your work at the end of the internship. Engineering-related projects students have worked on include developing a machine learning model for an e-commerce startup that predicted customer loss. You will also participate in skill-building sessions and individual and group training sessions.
2. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
Location: Any NASA facility in the country, with remote options also available
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old with a 3.0 GPA and have U.S. citizenship
Application Deadline: The deadline for summer internships has passed. Spring and fall internships are available (dates not yet announced)
Dates: Around 10 weeks in summer, spring, and fall
Stipend: Interns may receive a stipend (unspecified amount) based on academic level and session length
NASA’s Office of STEM (OSTEM) internships are excellent options for students interesting in learning how to apply mechanical engineering concepts and techniques in fields such as aeronautics, spacecraft technology, space exploration, robotics, and satellite communication. NASA internships are very prestigious: the program is highly selective with a 4-6% acceptance rate. If selected, you get to work alongside NASA’s accomplished scientists, engineers, and researchers on current agency projects. The internship structure and its output depend on the specific internship position. For example, you can work at NASA’s Energetic Particle Laboratory (EPL) to develop new technologies to detect particles, use 3D design to visualize flight path simulations, and more. You can search for OSTEM opportunities that interest you here.
3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Multiple locations across the country
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old with a minimum GPA of 3.0 (not mandatory) and have U.S. citizenship. See the entire eligibility requirements here
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in January
Dates: Exact dates vary based on location; the program is usually held during the summer for nine weeks
Stipend: $492 per week, but may vary with the project and location
Interning at an AFRL is a great way to gain hands-on experience in mechanical engineering projects related to aircraft, spacecraft, and defense technologies and systems. Interns will be able to contribute to valuable research using cutting-edge technologies and facilities while learning from renowned scientists and engineers.
Research projects you can participate in include photon collection and interpretation, architecture and construction, space cadets, novel cooling films, fault detection on satellites, modeling and simulation, and spacecraft thermal system design and analysis.
4. Anson L. Clark Scholars Program at Texas Tech University
Location: TexasTech University campus, Lubbock, TX
Eligibility: Students who will be at least 17 years old by the program start date, graduate in 2024 or 2025, and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application Deadline: Applications usually close in February.
Dates: June 16, 2024 - August 1, 2024 (7 weeks)
Stipend: $750 + free housing and meals
The Anson L. Clark Scholars Program is a highly selective research internship that accepts only 12 students every year. Selected interns get hands-on research experience working alongside with Texas Tech faculty and researchers. They will also attend weekly seminars and social activities to improve their professional and educational skills and build their network.
The mechanical engineering research track includes topics like multi-modal image-guided surgical interventions for cancer, targeted delivery of nanotherapeutics, and nanosensors for early disease diagnosis and monitoring.
5. Stanford SHTEM Summer Internship
Location: Remote
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors in the 2023-2024 school year
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024
Dates: June 17, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Stipend: Unpaid
Stanford’s Science, Humanities, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (SHTEM) internship allows high school students to work alongside community college students on research projects under the mentorship of experienced professors, students, and researchers from the Stanford Compression Forum (SCF). The SCF is a partnership between academics and professionals working in data compression, meant to encourage research in the field.
Apart from collaborative projects, SHTEM internship students also attend workshops, seminars, and virtual social events. You will conduct research from where you’re residing (if you are working on hardware projects, materials will be sent to you) and be in regular communication with your mentor(s) and group members. You may expect 30-40 hours of work a week. Stanford's distinguished faculty and industry experts will guide you, giving valuable insights that deepen your understanding of technology's ever-evolving landscape.
Mechanical engineering projects will involve participation in cutting-edge research in material science, robotics, design, testing and analysis, biomechanics, and simulation, among other fields. You can see previous cohorts’ projects here to get a better idea of the kind of research you will be involved in.
6. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP)
Location: State-specific U.S. Army Research Laboratories or an affiliated university lab
Eligibility: Current high school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
Application deadline: Differs for each location
Dates: May-August (6-10 weeks). Exact dates will vary according to location
Stipend: Paid (unspecified amount) and likely to differ based on location and duration
The AEOP is an opportunity for skilled and dedicated high school students to work in state-of-the-art universities and Army laboratories with professional scientists, researchers, and engineers. Students will get the chance to connect with like-minded peers, allowing them to build a solid professional network.
Interns will be able to work on various projects in mechanical engineering, although the exact nature will differ based on the location. Research areas include materials science, AIN films, DEM simulations, smart sustainable materials, improving civil facilities, and land-atmosphere interactions.
7. Research in Science and Engineering (RISE) - Internship Track at Boston University
Location: Boston University, Boston, MA
Eligibility: Current high school juniors
Application Deadline: Applications for 2024 are now closed. Applications for the 2025 cohort will open in either fall or winter 2024
Dates: July 1, 2024 - August 9, 2024 (residential students begin a day earlier)
Cost: $5,350 (tuition) + $3,120/$3,426 (room and board) + additional fees. Need-based financial aid is available
The RISE Internship is a 6-week program that offers students a chance to conduct laboratory research under the guidance of BU faculty, post-doctoral fellows, and graduate students. The program offers two routes: Practicum and Internship. The Internship track offers a range of research areas that you can choose from, of which one is Mechanical Engineering. As an intern, you will work full-time on projects designed by their mentors. Mechanical engineering projects include data analysis, simulation, materials testing, developing materials, and more.
At the end of the program, you will present your research at the Poster Symposium. In some cases, research interns might submit their work to national science fair contests such as the Regeneron Science Talent Search. Throughout the program, you will also participate in weekly workshops that provide insight into the scientific process, research ethics, making a poster, and networking in the scientific community.
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) by the Department of Navy (DoN)
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
Application Deadline: Closed for 2024. Applications for the 2025 cohort open on August 1, 2024
Dates: June-August (8 weeks)
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants) | $4,500 (returning participants)
Every year, the Department of Navy, through this prestigious apprenticeship program, places around 300 high school students in its 38+ laboratories spread across the country. Selected interns work on real naval research using advanced technologies and facilities (like sensors, intelligence and surveillance tech, and more). During the program, you will be mentored by expert scientists and engineers at the Navy labs. While working on projects hands-on, you build knowledge and skills in various STEM disciplines, such as mechanical engineering and aeronautics.
The projects may differ according to the lab location, with select labs focusing on research in mechanical engineering. Research areas include robotics, aeronautics, materials science, physics, applied mathematics, environmental science, and aerospace, among others. Your lab choice is based on your subject of interest.
9. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) Internships
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Foreign nationals who attend an accredited U.S. college or university may be considered
Application Deadline: Applications generally close in the spring
Program Dates: 10-16 weeks in the summer
Stipend: Paid (unspecified amount). Travel reimbursements and a housing stipend may also be offered
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. With this internship, selected students work with scientists and engineers to plan and develop solutions to real-world projects related to advanced manufacturing and transportation, clean energy, critical infrastructure protection, facilities and maintenance, and nuclear fuels and materials. As an intern, you will begin by creating a project outline followed by hands-on experience. You will also have the opportunity to attend weekly seminars, workshops, tours, and social activities. The program will culminate in a final presentation of the completed project. The internship is split into 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.
10. Sandia National Laboratories Internship
Location: Albuquerque, NM and Livermore, CA
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old with a 3.0 GPA and have U.S. citizenship
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students should apply at least three months before their preferred start date.
Dates: May-August (10-12 weeks). Year-round and co-op internships are also available.
Stipend: $17.20 per hour (NM) and $19 per hour (CA)
Sandia National Laboratories, a contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy, conducts important research in various fields, including mechanical engineering. Internships at Sandia National allow students to apply theoretical concepts and research to real projects in areas like energy surety, engineering design, simulations, and cyber security. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced scientists and engineers on projects that contribute to technological advancements.
Some current internships on offer include project work in areas like monitoring systems technology, modeling and simulation of materials, climate research and sustainability, power sources, and nanoscale sciences. Sandia internships are offered during the summer and year-round.
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.
11. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)’s Summer High School Intern Program (SHIP)
Location: Boulder, CO, or Gaithersburg, MD
Eligibility: Rising seniors and recent graduates who are eligible to work in the U.S. and have a minimum 3.0 GPA
Application Deadline: Applications usually close by mid-February
Dates: June 17, 2024 - August 9, 2024
Stipend: None. Students must cover their own housing and transportation costs
NIST’s high school internship program allows students to work on independent research projects under leading scientists and engineers at one of NIST’s six laboratories. Students can list their top three preferences in their application to be assigned relevant assignments.
For students interested in mechanical engineering, we recommend the following laboratories:
Engineering Laboratory (EL): Developing standards for and promoting technology-intensive manufacturing, construction, and cyber-physical systems.
Material Measurement Laboratory (MML): Researching the structure and properties of industrial, biochemical, ceramic, metallurgic, polymeric, and environmental materials.
Physical Measurement Laboratory (PML): Researching areas like atomic, molecular, optical, radiation and chemical physics, electro-technology, manufacturing, and transportation.
12. SPARK Summer Internship Program (SPARK SIP)
Location: Greater Seattle Area, WA
Eligibility: High school students who can work 40 hours/week for 8-12 weeks
Application deadline: May (based on last year's dates)
Dates: June-August (6-8 weeks)
Stipend: Up to $500, with some unpaid internships also available
With an acceptance rate of about less than 5%, Spark SIP is a highly prestigious internship opportunity. SPARK SIP combines mentorship and independent research by matching qualified students with industry experts, educators, and researchers. Based on interest areas, students are placed in relevant mechanical engineering projects with startups, companies, and labs. Project areas include robotics, thermodynamics, materials science, sustainability, designing and testing, and data analysis. Students must select 5-6 projects that they’d like to work on, and will be assigned one of those. The program also includes workshops, social events, networking opportunities, and career-building sessions.
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 in mechanical engineering?
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.