10 Paid Engineering Internships for High School Students
Are you a high school student passionate about engineering and eager to gain hands-on experience? Internships offer invaluable opportunities to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scenarios, explore various engineering disciplines, and develop practical skills that will set you apart in college applications and future careers. However, finding the right internship can be daunting, especially without prior experience.
To support your journey, we have compiled a list of 10 paid engineering internships that provide immersive experiences across a range of specialties, from aerospace to particle physics. These programs are designed to help you discover your interests, build foundational skills, and gain a deeper understanding of the engineering field.
Stipend: Awarded based on academic level and session duration.
Location: NASA centers across the country.
Application Deadline:
Spring 2025: Aug. 23, 2024
Summer 2025: October 25, 2024 (Early Decision); February 28, 2025 (Final Deadline)
Fall 2025: May 16, 2025
Program Dates:
Spring: 16 weeks (Mid-January - Early May)
Summer: 10 weeks (Late May - August)
Fall: 16 weeks (Late August - Mid-December)
Eligibility:
Be a U.S. citizen
Have a cumulative 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)
Be a full-time student
Be a minimum of 16 years of age at the time of application
Participating in NASA's OSTEM (Office of STEM Engagement) High School Internship Programs provides an excellent opportunity for students interested in STEM fields and space exploration. These internships offer practical experience in areas such as space missions, satellite communications, and aerospace engineering, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world challenges.
As a participant, you’ll work side-by-side with NASA mentors on various projects, gaining hands-on experience with NASA's cutting-edge facilities and resources. The experience will not only enhance your technical skills but will also foster professional growth and networking within the STEM community. The program emphasizes collaboration, innovation, and problem-solving — preparing students for future careers in aerospace and technology.
For more details about NASA internships, refer to this comprehensive guide!
Stipend: $492.40/week for high school students.
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Application Deadline: January every year.
Program Dates: Varies from internship to internship, but should be in one of these three cohorts
Fall: 16 weeks (Late August/early September - mid-December)
Spring: 16 weeks (Mid-January - early May)
Summer: 10 weeks (Late May/early June - August)
Eligibility:
Upper High School Student (Over 16 years old)
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA
Must be available full-time (40 hours a week) and work in their respective physical offices over the summer.
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) offers a valuable opportunity to high school students interested in aerospace and engineering. This paid internship allows you to work closely with AFRL scientists and engineers on groundbreaking research projects. As an intern, you’ll gain experience in various areas, such as aerospace engineering, mechanical design, and electromagnetic structures.
Throughout the internship, you’ll receive mentorship from highly skilled professionals, fostering both personal and professional growth. You can view a comprehensive list of them here. Interns contribute to significant research projects, such as developing cold atom sources for navigation and technology or creating personalized chatbots with natural communication capabilities. The program aims to inspire and prepare students for future careers in STEM fields by providing a robust and immersive research experience.
Stipend: $17.20 per hour
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL; transportation, housing, or meals are not provided. Fermilab can assist with discounted rates for local hotels near the internship site.
Application Deadline: January 31, 2024
Program Dates: June 17 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility:
High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors at the time of application.
Juniors with experience programming computers or working with mechanical or electrical systems are encouraged to apply.
Enrollment in an Illinois high school.
U.S. citizens or permanent resident status.
The intensive 7-week summer internship at Fermilab offers students a unique opportunity to engage in pioneering research in particle physics. As a leading national laboratory under the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Science, the program allows interns to work alongside Fermilab scientists, gaining hands-on experience in projects related to particle accelerators, detectors, computing, and quantum science. Interns participate in data collection, assist in research abstracts, and deliver regular presentations on their progress.
Fermilab’s emphasis on mentorship and practical application provides an enriching environment for students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world scientific challenges. The program also encourages interns to indicate their preferred research areas, though project assignments are ultimately determined by the lab's current research needs. These projects align with Fermilab’s mission and cover a wide range of scientific inquiries, details of which can be found on the lab’s official website.
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants.Location: Various Department of Navy laboratories across the country. Application Deadline: November 1, 2024Program Dates: Varies by lab; typically conducted during the summer months for 8 weeks.Eligibility:
Must be a high school student in grades 10-12.
Must have turned 16 years old by the start date of the program.
Must be a U.S. Citizen
Specific labs may have additional eligibility requirements, including grade minimums.
If you are keen on exploring naval research and technology, the Science and Engineering Apprenticeship (SEAP) program by the Department of Navy (DoN) offers a unique chance to engage in research at real naval laboratories. This 8-week paid internship provides valuable exposure to real-world applications of science and engineering, fostering a deeper understanding of stem fields. Interns work alongside Navy scientists and engineers from 30 labs across the country, participating in meaningful research projects that align with interests and career goals. You can view the list of mentors here!
The selection of labs is based on your specific subject interest, with engineering being a particularly popular research area. Past research topics have included developing Ansys fluent workflow for axial fan simulation and analyzing the flow around objects, as well as the analysis of CSS Georgia bones and various consolidants.
Stipend: $14/hour
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Application Deadline:
Spring 2024: December 31, 2023
Summer 2024: April 11, 2024
Fall 2024: September 30, 2024
Program Dates:
Fall/Spring 2024: Up to 20 hours per week during the academic year.
Summer 2024: Full-time during the summer months. Exact dates vary based on assignment.
Eligibility:
Be a senior in high school at least 16 years of age.
Attend high school in northern New Mexico.
Maintain a minimum CGPA of 2.75.
Pass a pre-employment drug test.
The Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) High School Internship Program provides high school seniors from northern New Mexico the opportunity to work on significant research projects across various disciplines including business, biological sciences, and engineering. Interns work closely with LANL mentors, developing their skills, gaining work experience, and exposing themselves to cutting-edge research projects.
Students have explored topics such as non-invasive fluid level sensing in pipelines using ultrasound techniques and researching the GLP-805 power supply interface. You can view the projects for 2023 here!
One effective way to secure a LANL internship is by reaching out to a potential mentor and collaborating on projects that align with your interests. You can view the prospective projects in their high school intern project description book.
Stipend: $17.20/hour
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Application Deadline: February 5, 2024
Program Dates: June 17 - July 26, 2024
Eligibility:
Must be a high school sophomore or junior at the time of application.
Must be enrolled in an Illinois high school.
Must have a minimum GPA of 3.0
Must be eligible to work in the United States.
The TARGET program at Fermilab is a highly competitive 6-week summer internship designed for high school students interested in physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering. This program combines work with experiential learning, aiming to encourage students to pursue college students and careers in STEM disciplines. Each TARGET cohort comprises approximately 15-25 interns.
During the internship, participants collaborate with Fermilab scientists and engineers, engaging in research projects and creating content related to Fermilab's research. These projects often involve cutting-edge scientific inquiries, providing interns with valuable experience in fields like particle physics, computing, and engineering. For example, past intern Kentandu Cheidu interviewed her mentor, Lauren Biron, about the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment. The internship also includes workshops and tours that help students prepare for college and future careers.
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend, but information on the exact amount is not available.
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA.
Application Deadline: April 1, 2024Program Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation.Eligibility: Students who
Full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school - check if your school qualifies here.
Minimum 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.
The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program is a prestigious, multi-year, year-round, paid internship and youth development program tailored for students from underrepresented communities in STEM, including girls and students of color. As an intern, you will collaborate with scientists, researchers, and educators at the California Academy of Sciences, gaining hands-on experience in scientific research and effective scientific communication.
Interns participate in interactive training sessions twice a week, engage in outdoor field activities, and receive guidance on college applications. Group projects involve conducting scientific research or working on environmental action initiatives.
Note: The CiS Intern Program is highly selective, admitting only about 50 students each year.
Stipend: Interns are paid a competitive wage that varies based on the location.
Location: Redmond, WA | Atlanta, GA.
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in March and are reviewed on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: July 8 - August 2, 2024
Eligibility:
Open to high school graduating seniors who live within 50 miles of Redmond, WA, or Atlanta, GA.
Must be at least 16 years old.
Must have a legal right to work in the U.S. for the duration of the program.
Must have completed pre-calculus or an equivalent course by the start of the program.
Microsoft’s High School Discovery Program is an excellent opportunity for high school students interested in technology to explore the applications of AI at one of the world’s leading tech companies. This 4-week internship introduces participants to core computer science concepts, software engineering, data science, and project management. Interns work on real-world projects and participate in workshops and training sessions, gaining valuable career readiness skills and mentorship from Microsoft employees.
As a participant, you will work in small teams to complete a project for your product group, gaining exposure to the product development design phase. This includes insights into software engineering, technical product management, and UX design disciplines. Participants also benefit from networking opportunities, allowing them to connect with industry professionals and peers who share similar interests. The program offers a comprehensive understanding of AI, covering areas such as machine learning, natural language processing, and computer vision. You will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical experience, providing a solid foundation in AI technologies.
Stipend: Not specified, but participants receive a competitive stipend.
Location: Menlo Park, CA.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in March. The admission cycle for summer 2025 will open in December 2024.
Program Dates: June 17 - July 26, 2024; 30 hours per week.
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum of 2.0 Cumulative GPA who are full-year residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City are encouraged to apply.
The Meta Summer Academy, formerly known as the Facebook Summer Academy, is a prestigious internship program designed to provide high school students with an in-depth experience in the tech industry. Participants work closely with Meta engineers, researchers, and product designers on real-world projects, gaining valuable insights into software engineering, data science, and AI. The program emphasizes mentorship, professional development, and networking, with interns participating in workshops, seminars, and feedback sessions with their mentors.
Beyond the technical training, the internship also delves into the ethical considerations of AI and data usage, highlighting their roles in shaping tech platforms and applications. This immersive program equips students with a solid foundation in AI applications and valuable computer skills, preparing them for successful careers in the tech industry.
Stipend: Interns are paid a competitive hourly rate.
Location: University of New Hampshire Campus, Durham, NH.
Application Deadline: Applications typically close in February. The 2025 application will open on January 1, 2025.
Program Dates: July 8 - August 8, 2024 (overnight students arrive on July 7).
Eligibility: Open to rising seniors who are U.S. residents.
HighTech Bound is a 5-week paid summer internship at the University of New Hampshire’s InterOperability Laboratory (UNH-IOL). This program offers an immersive experience tailored for rising high school seniors who are passionate about technology. This intensive program provides practical, hands-on experience in computer science, electrical engineering, network technologies, computer engineering, and artificial intelligence (AI).
During the internship, you will collaborate with mentors in an advanced computer lab, working on team-based projects that focus on innovating AI integration. These projects will grant you access to cutting-edge software used by industry leaders like Apple, Dell, and Cisco. This ensures that you are involved in significant and impactful AI research. Additionally, the program offers valuable networking opportunities, allowing you to contribute to meaningful research solutions and engage in lasting, impactful research projects.
Bonus Internship - AI Internship Program by Veritas AI
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.
Cost: $2,490
Application Deadline: October 20, 2024
Internship Date: The start date for the cohort is November 11, 2024
Eligibility: Open to high school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
If you’re looking to gain research experience alongside your internship, 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 on 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
One other option - Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you’re interested in pursuing independent research in STEM, you could also consider applying to one of the Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, selective online high school programs for students founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.
Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students. Last year, we had 150 students on full need-based financial aid!
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.