10 Engineering Internships for High School Students in NYC
If you’re fascinated by engineering and love figuring out how things work, an internship is the perfect way to turn your passion into real-world experience. As a high school student, an engineering internship gives you the chance to explore the field, develop hands-on skills, and learn directly from professionals.
Engineering internships offer more than just exposure—they help you build your network, foster leadership, and introduce you to cutting-edge technology. In a city like New York, with its dynamic industries and endless innovation, these opportunities can be a crucial stepping stone toward your future career. Check out our list of 10 engineering internships for high school students in NYC!
Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend of at least $1000 on successful completion of the program.
Application Deadline: February 21.
Program Dates: June 2 - August 8 (Remote Evening Workshops in June/Whole Day In-Person programming in July/August).
Eligibility: High school students completing 10th or 11th grade in June and living in New York City are eligible to apply.
The NYU Tandon ARISE program is a ten-week opportunity designed for high school students eager to explore advanced STEM fields, including engineering. Over six weeks, you’ll work in NYU faculty labs, guided by graduate or postdoctoral mentors, gaining hands-on research experience. The program also includes four weeks of workshops on research ethics, data analysis, lab safety, and best practices. College advising sessions help you prepare for applications, and in the final five weeks, you’ll actively contribute to research in fields like engineering, life sciences, technology, and data sciences.
Location: Virtual.
Cost: Starting at $2,490. Need-based financial aid is available.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks are eligible to apply. Open to undergraduates and gap year students also!
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up 8-week internship program for ambitious high school students. In the program, you work with a high-growth start-up on an internship. Start-ups that offer internships range across a variety of industries, from engineering, tech/deep tech and AI/ML to health tech, marketing, journalism, consulting, and more. You can explore all the options here on their application form. Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies on average raising over a million dollars. In the program, you will work closely with your managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present your work to the company. Here is the application form.
3. Stony Brook University - Simons Summer Research Program
Location: Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, NY.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: School nomination deadline: January 31 | Application submission deadline: February 7 | Teacher recommendation deadline: February 14.
Program Dates: June 30 - August 8.
Eligibility: High school juniors who are at least 16 years old at the start of the program are eligible to apply.
If you’re interested in STEM, particularly engineering, technology, or data sciences, this program is a good fit. As a Simons Fellow, you’ll work with Stony Brook faculty mentors, participate in research teams, and even lead your own project. You’ll gain hands-on experience, sharpen your research skills, and attend faculty-led presentations, workshops, and tours. The program wraps up with a poster symposium where you’ll present your work and receive a stipend for your efforts.
4. NASA Pathways Internship Program
Location: Virtual and in-person in New York.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend.
Application Deadline: Applications open in February for Fall internships and are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: Varies depending on the internship availability.
Eligibility: High school students who are at least 16 years old and have a cumulative GPA of 2.9 or higher on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply.
NASA’s Pathways Internship Program gives you the chance to gain hands-on experience in engineering, computer science, and IT. You’ll work with experts on elaborate projects and contribute to cutting-edge technology. The program offers roles in software development, systems engineering, and research, making it a good option if you want to build a strong foundation in engineering or tech fields.
5. Army Educational Outreach Program - High School Internships
Location: New York City.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Stipend is provided but varies depending on the location.
Application deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Program Dates: Varies depending on the internship availability.
Eligibility: High school students who are U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents. Additional eligibility requirements vary by location. Check details here.
Through AEOP, you can work closely with university researchers or Department of Defense (DoD) scientists on innovative projects. You’ll gain experience with advanced lab equipment and techniques while being mentored by professional scientists and engineers. Whether you’re interested in electronic engineering at NYU or biochemical engineering at the CUNY-Advanced Science Research Center, AEOP offers diverse opportunities. Later in the summer, you might even explore experimental applications of quantum tools.
6. Biorocket Research Internship Program
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend of $2,000.
Application Deadline: Applications open in the Fall and close in January.
Program Dates: Spring Session: February 27 - May 22 | Summer Session: June 30- August 15.
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years or older and live near Genspace or attend a NYC Public/Charter School are eligible to apply.
If you’re interested in genetic engineering and biology, this six-month research program is for you. Open to NYC public and charter high school students aged 16 and older, Biorocket provides training in advanced lab techniques and science communication. You’ll receive mentorship from scientists, visit research labs, go on field trips, and even get improv training to enhance your public speaking skills. The program strongly encourages students from underrepresented groups in science to apply.
Location: Hybrid in New York.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend of $1000.
Application Deadline: August 15.
Program Dates: The program typically runs for 9 months from September through August, with the paid tech internship running from July through August.
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in a New York City high school are eligible to apply.
The Tech Flex Leaders program is ideal for students wanting to start a career in technology. This program dives deep into software engineering, offering specialized tracks in UX Design, Data Science, and Web Development. Through workshops and hackathons, you’ll develop problem-solving skills and learn multiple programming languages. You’ll also get the chance to network with industry experts, helping you build valuable connections for your future.
8. The New York City School Construction Authority (SCA) - High School Summer Internship Program
Location: New York City.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns receive a stipend of $16 an hour for 30 hours a week.
Application Deadline: March 7.
Program Dates: The internship typically runs for 6 weeks between June and August.
Eligibility: New York City public high school students who are eligible to work in the United States and can work for the program's six-week duration are eligible to apply.
This paid six-week internship is available to NYC public high school students and offers experience in architecture, engineering, construction, IT, business, and public administration. You’ll work four days a week with an assigned company and spend one day in educational activities. Your responsibilities will vary based on your placement, but you’ll take part in workshops, a design challenge, and panel discussions. If needed, you’ll complete a 10-hour OSHA construction safety course before the internship begins.
9. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Rome Laboratory, Rome, NY.
Cost/Stipend: No cost. Interns revive a stipend.
Application Deadline: January 10.
Dates: Varies depending on the internship availability.
Eligibility: High school students who are US citizens, 16 years old, and have a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale are eligible to apply.
The AFRL Scholars Program offers paid internships for high school students interested in aerospace engineering. You’ll work alongside AFRL scientists and engineers, tour state-of-the-art laboratories, and contribute to advanced research and technology. The program primarily offers summer internships, with a few positions available in the fall and spring.
10. Stanford University - Summer Research Internship
Location: Virtual.
Cost: $850 tuition and $40 application fee. Financial aid is available.
Application Deadline: Fee Waiver and Scholarship Application Deadline: February 21 | Summer Research Internship Application Deadline: February 28.
Program Dates: June 16 - 27.
Eligibility: High school students who are 14 years and older with strong math, programming, or healthcare project experience are eligible to apply.
The Stanford Center for Artificial Intelligence in Medicine and Imaging (AIMI) focuses on advancing AI in medicine to improve healthcare and promote health equity. You’ll attend daily lectures on AI in healthcare, participate in hands-on group research projects, and receive mentorship from Stanford researchers. The program includes networking opportunities, social activities, and Virtual Career Lunch & Learns with guest speakers from academia, industry, government, and nonprofits. You may even have the chance to extend your internship for an independent research project.
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