15 Summer Engineering Internships for Undergraduates
- Stephen Turban
- Aug 25
- 10 min read
Updated: Oct 19
If you are an undergraduate student interested in engineering, an internship in the field is worth exploring! It can be an accessible way to bridge academic learning with real-world engineering applications. Internships provide professional skill-building opportunities, direct industry exposure, and valuable connections that can shape future career paths, while adding strong credentials to your resume. With most internships offering competitive stipends to undergraduates, they are also a rewarding way to gain engineering experience.
Whether you want to develop technical expertise, work alongside experienced engineers and mentors, or build a network, engineering internships offer rigorous professional environments where you can grow and prove your abilities. As an intern, you will work on real projects that help you explore engineering in action while you build critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
To help you identify the best opportunities, we have come up with a list of 15 summer engineering internships for undergraduates. We have focused on factors such as prestige, the rigor of professional experience offered, and the availability of opportunities to network with industry leaders.
15 Summer Engineering Internships for Undergraduates
Location: Virtual
Cost: Varies by format
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including fall, spring, summer, and winter
Application deadline: Varies depending on the cohort—Summer: May | Winter: November | Spring: January | Fall: September
Eligibility: College students and young professionals who can work for 5–10 hours/week for eight weeks
The Ladder University Internship Program is a selective program that connects undergraduate students with high-growth startups, which raise over a million dollars on average. These organizations operate in diverse industries, including engineering and tech. During the internship, you can explore your interests in engineering, develop relevant skills, and gain work experience while working on real projects under the guidance of the startup manager. This internship also provides you with exposure to professional work environments and the opportunity to explore various career paths. By the end of the program, you will complete and present your work to the organization. You can explore the available options here.
Location: NASA Centers and facilities across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internships with amounts varying based on education level and type of opportunity
Dates: Late May/early June – August
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: U.S. citizens who are full-time high school, undergraduate, or graduate students with a minimum GPA of 3.0.
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internships offer students opportunities to engage in real engineering and research projects that directly contribute to NASA’s mission in aeronautics and space exploration. You will work alongside NASA scientists and engineers on technical assignments, gaining industry-level experience while building critical problem-solving and analytical skills. You will receive structured mentorship, opportunities to collaborate on interdisciplinary teams, and exposure to advanced research facilities across NASA centers. Many projects culminate in presentations to NASA staff, providing a platform to showcase your work and get feedback. The program also includes career development sessions and networking with top aerospace professionals.
Location: Various JPMorgan Chase Offices in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by site
Dates: Vary by location; summer internships available
Application deadline: Typically in late October–November
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students; preference for students pursuing Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related majors with strong coding skills and an interest in technology within financial services.
This internship places you on teams that design, develop, and deploy large-scale technology solutions for one of the world’s leading financial institutions. You’ll gain exposure to full-stack development, agile methodologies, and cutting-edge tools used in global-scale systems impacting millions of customers and clients. Projects span mobile banking innovations, cloud platform engineering, and cybersecurity solutions, offering the chance to own end-to-end builds and collaborate across teams. The program offers technical training, mentorship from senior engineers, and networking events with technology leaders. You will also work on JPMorgan’s “Force for Good” side projects, where you will use engineering to create tech solutions for nonprofit organizations.
Location: Boeing facilities across the U.S.
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internships
Dates: Vary by position; Mid-May – September
Application deadline: Varies by position; August – October
Eligibility: Students enrolled in accredited degree programs and pursuing majors relevant to the position
Boeing’s engineering internships introduce you to the design, testing, and production of aerospace and defense systems. You will work on real-world projects in departments such as flight engineering, materials, systems, or software development, collaborating with teams that build aircraft, spacecraft, and defense products. You will receive structured mentorship, access to advanced engineering tools, and opportunities to network with technical leaders across the company. The program also includes professional development seminars, executive sessions, and community outreach initiatives to build technical and leadership skills. Many roles offer exposure to multidisciplinary engineering environments, giving you insight into large-scale, collaborative aerospace projects.
Location: Ford Motor Company offices in various U.S. locations; most opportunities in Southeast Michigan
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 10–12 weeks; June–August; interns and programming team mutually set suitable start dates
Application deadline: Typically October–December
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in engineering, computer science, IT, and related disciplines enrolled in an accredited program
Ford’s Summer Intern Program allows you to work on real-world engineering and technology projects that shape the future of mobility. You will spend 10–12 weeks developing technical solutions, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and building products with direct impact on Ford’s global operations. You will engage in structured orientation sessions, receive technical mentorship, and attend professional development, networking, and social events. Projects typically focus on innovation in automotive engineering, advanced manufacturing, and smart vehicle technology, offering exposure to both legacy systems and cutting-edge R&D initiatives. Roles may include the chance to present your work to senior leaders and explore post-program placement opportunities within Ford’s technical teams.
Location: Abbott Park, IL, or other U.S. Locations
Cost/Stipend: Free; paid internship
Dates: June–August; 10–12-week full-time opportunities adjusted to your academic schedule
Application deadline: Fall recruiting season; typically September–November
Eligibility: Students with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in engineering, science, IT, or related technical disciplines enrolled in an accredited degree program.
Abbott’s Summer Internship Program allows you to contribute to projects in medical devices, diagnostics, and advanced engineering. You will work on assignments in cross-functional teams, building technical and problem-solving skills. You will have access to senior leadership, professional development workshops, and opportunities to network across departments, enhancing both technical and soft skills. With competitive compensation, exposure to advanced medical technology, and a strong emphasis on mentorship, Abbott’s program can help you gain relevant industry experience and benefits as an engineering undergraduate.
Location: Lockheed Martin facilities in the U.S.
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Summer internships available; June–August
Application deadline: Rolling; most summer applications close between October and February
Eligibility: Students enrolled in an accredited degree program pursuing majors relevant to the internships; U.S. citizenship is often required for security clearance roles.
Lockheed Martin’s internship program offers a direct pathway into aerospace and defense engineering. You will work on projects in areas like advanced avionics, systems integration, robotics, and secure communications, contributing to technologies that define modern aerospace innovation. You will work with experienced engineers and technical mentors on real-world assignments, gaining exposure to multidisciplinary design and testing environments. The program emphasizes leadership development, providing workshops and resources to help you build technical and professional skills. You will also participate in networking events, community outreach programs, and opportunities to present your project outcomes to senior leadership.
Location: Multiple SpaceX sites—Hawthorne, CA; Starbase, TX; Redmond, WA; Cape Canaveral, FL; Vandenberg, CA; Sunnyvale, CA; McGregor, TX; Washington, DC; Bastrop, TX; Irvine, CA
Stipend: Paid; amount varies by role
Dates: May–August; minimum commitment of 12 weeks
Application deadline: Rolling; most summer positions are posted between September and November, with applications closing by January or February
Eligibility: Students enrolled in four-year accredited university programs; U.S. citizenship or ITAR-compliant status required
SpaceX’s Summer Intern Program allows you to work on the design, development, and testing of spaceflight hardware that drives real missions. You will work full-time on challenging technical assignments, gaining exposure to the complete engineering lifecycle, from concept through build and flight. You will engage with cross-functional teams and work with engineers on projects involving propulsion systems, launch infrastructure, spacecraft manufacturing, and avionics. The program can offer insights into advanced aerospace technology, mentorship from leading engineers, and the chance to see your work launch into orbit.
Location: BMW of North America, Woodcliff Lake, NJ; BMW Plant Spartanburg, SC; Mountain View, CA; Oxnard, CA; Schaumburg, IL
Stipend: Paid
Dates: May–August
Application deadline: February for summer internships
Eligibility: Undergraduate and graduate students enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s program
BMW’s U.S. Undergraduate Internship Program offers an immersive experience in automotive innovation, combining technical projects with structured mentorship. You will work on real engineering assignments in areas like vehicle development, production engineering, electrics/electronics, and IT systems, gaining some exposure to the processes behind BMW’s high-performance vehicles. You will work in a team, take on project responsibilities, and receive regular feedback. The program also offers networking events, development seminars, and exposure to BMW’s corporate culture.
Location: NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA
Stipend: Paid + housing and travel allowance available
Dates: 10 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: March 14
Eligibility: Students enrolled as undergraduates or graduates in accredited U.S. universities in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics with a minimum GPA of 3.0; applicants must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
The JPL Summer Internship Program places you alongside NASA scientists and engineers to work on mission-based projects that advance space exploration. You will be matched with a mentor and assigned a defined technical project, gaining practical experience while directly contributing to ongoing NASA and JPL initiatives. The program offers hands-on learning in research and engineering through facility tours, lectures, and career guidance sessions. The program also offers access to advanced labs and the opportunity to present your work to senior scientists.
Location: Rolls-Royce facilities in and outside the U.S.
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by role; summer opportunities available
Application deadline: Rolling; summer internship postings usually open in fall and close between November and January
Eligibility: Students currently enrolled in engineering, physics, or other relevant technical disciplines in an accredited degree program; specific eligibility varies by country; U.S. citizenship may be required for certain aerospace roles.
As a Rolls-Royce intern, you will work alongside experienced engineers on live projects in areas such as aerospace design, systems integration, propulsion technologies, and advanced manufacturing. You will find opportunities to build practical engineering skills, have access to the company’s engineering facilities, and receive mentorship focused on technical and professional development. The program offers you access to a collaborative culture, continuous learning opportunities, and exposure to problem-solving in the aviation, marine, and energy sectors.
12. Dow Internships
Location: Various Dow Facilities in North America
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies by role; summer opportunities available
Application deadline: Applications open in early fall; most summer roles close between November and January
Eligibility: Undergraduate students pursuing engineering, manufacturing, or related technical degrees from accredited institutions; U.S. work authorization required.
Dow’s Internship Program places you in multidisciplinary teams working on complex manufacturing, sustainability, and process engineering projects. You will gain hands-on experience in plant operations, product development, and systems optimization while collaborating with technical experts on solutions that impact global supply chains. You will receive structured mentorship, exposure to Dow’s advanced manufacturing systems, and the opportunity to present project outcomes to senior engineers and leadership. The program also focuses on sustainability, environmental safety, and integrating engineering design with industrial impact.
Location: NIST campuses in Boulder, CO, Charleston, SC, and Gaithersburg, MD
Stipend: $710/week
Dates: Main 11-week program: May 19 – August 1 | Offset 11-week program: June 2 – August 15 | Nine-week program: June 2 – August 1
Application deadline: February 6
Eligibility: Undergraduate students at U.S. colleges or universities who are U.S. citizens/U.S. permanent residents
The NIST SURF program offers students the opportunity to work alongside federal scientists in one of NIST’s laboratories. Your project work could focus on areas like engineering, electrical systems, data modeling, precision measurement, or other areas, depending on your background. You will gain experience in engineering research and working with equipment, software, and techniques used by federal researchers. As a participant, you may even get to co-author reports. The program ends with research presentations.
Location: Multiple Tesla facilities, Gigafactory Nevada; Fremont, CA; Palo Alto, CA; Austin, TX; Buffalo, NY; and other U.S. sites
Stipend: Paid competitive stipend; relocation stipend available for eligible interns
Dates: Varies by role; opportunities last 3–12 months; summer positions available
Application deadline: Rolling; summer applications generally open in fall and close between January and March
Eligibility: Undergraduate students in engineering, manufacturing, computer science, or related technical fields in good academic standing
Tesla’s Summer Internship Program allows students to work on engineering and technology projects that support the company’s mission of accelerating the world’s transition to sustainable energy. You will have significant responsibilities from day one, helping develop solutions in automotive engineering, battery technology, manufacturing optimization, and AI-driven systems. You will work alongside Tesla engineers, receiving mentorship, technical training, and networking opportunities. You will receive competitive compensation, relocation support, and benefits such as healthcare and employee stock purchase eligibility.
Location: Multiple Amazon locations, Seattle, WA; Arlington, VA; Austin, TX; and other tech/operations hubs
Stipend: Paid
Dates: 10–12 weeks; May–August
Application deadline: Applications open in late summer/fall; most summer roles close between November and February
Eligibility: Undergraduate students enrolled in engineering, computer science, or related technical programs who will be returning to school after the internship term.
Amazon’s Summer Internship Program places you in engineering and software development roles where you will work on real-world technical challenges ranging from large-scale distributed systems to robotics and fulfillment optimization. Throughout the internship, you will collaborate with Amazon engineers to design, build, and deploy solutions. You will receive structured mentorship, participate in technical training, and present your project outcomes to senior managers at the end of the program. The program offers insights into the daily operations of a leading company, access to Amazon’s infrastructure, and exposure to cross-functional teams.
One other option—Lumiere Research Scholar Program
If you want to pursue independent research under the guidance of a mentor, consider applying to Lumiere Research Scholar Programs, which are selective high school programs founded in partnership with Harvard and Oxford researchers. In the past, 4,000+ students applied for just 500 spots in the research program. You can learn about the application and available programs on the application form here.
Also, you can check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation, a non-profit research program for talented low-income students. Last year, it offered 150 students full need-based financial assistance.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program in which students work one-on-one with a research mentor to develop a research paper.
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