12 Paid Engineering Internships for High School Students
Internships are an excellent way for high school students to gain real-world experience, explore potential careers, and develop valuable skills that will set them apart in the future. Paid engineering internships for high school students, in particular, offer additional benefits, such as financial compensation, which can help you manage personal expenses while you gain experience. Plus, they demonstrate that your contributions are valued, which can boost your confidence and motivation.
In this article, we have compiled a list of 12 engineering internships for high school students that can help you kickstart your career journey.
1. Veritas AI Internship
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
Location: Virtual
Program dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter
Application deadline: Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November)
Eligibility: High school students who have prior experience with AI/ML or have completed a Veritas AI program
2. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program
The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program is a paid internship opportunity for high school students to work with professional scientists and engineers in an actual research setting. As an intern in this prestigious engineering internship for high school students, you’ll be involved in practical projects spanning a range of topics, such as advanced electric propulsion, aerospace materials, game development for military training, and atomic physics.
You will contribute to ongoing research, gaining valuable experience in the STEM field. Interns often work on specialized projects like BattleSpaceNext or Comprehensive Readiness for Aircrew Flying Training, allowing you to dive into innovative technologies and complex challenges. This experience can enhance your skills, provide mentorship, and give you insight into potential future careers in science and engineering.
Stipend: 501.60/week
Location: Various locations across the U.S.
Program dates: Varies depending on internship, but generally falls in one of the below 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)
Application deadline: January 10 (summer cohort)
Eligibility: High school students over 16 years of age who are U.S. citizens and have a minimum 3.0 GPA are eligible.
3. Ladder Internship Program
Ladder Internships is a selective start-up 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 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, interns work closely with their managers and a Ladder Coach on real-world projects and present their work to the company. Here is the application form.
The virtual internship is usually 8 weeks long.
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Location: Remote! You can work from anywhere in the world.
Program dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.
Application deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September) and Winter (November).
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks. Open to high school students, undergraduates, and gap year students!
4. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) - Department of Navy
The Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) offers high school students the opportunity to spend 8 weeks in the summer working in Department of Navy (DoN) laboratories, where they'll engage in real-world research projects. This engineering internship is an opportunity for you to explore various STEM fields, learning from top scientists and engineers who will guide you throughout the internship.
You'll be involved in practical research that can cover anything from naval technology to advanced engineering concepts. SEAP is highly competitive, with around 300 placements available across 38 labs nationwide. To be considered, students are evaluated based on academic achievements, recommendations, and their interest in pursuing STEM careers.
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Location: Various Department of Navy laboratories across the country
Program dates: 8 weeks in the summer (varies depending on lab)
Application deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 who have completed 16 years old by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens are eligible.
5. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) is a great way for high school students to engage in paid internships while contributing to NASA’s groundbreaking work in science, technology, and space exploration. By joining the OSTEM internship program, you'll collaborate with experienced mentors, such as research scientists and engineers, and gain firsthand knowledge of how space-related projects are developed.
Whether full-time or part-time, these engineering internships take place at NASA centers or facilities, where you'll be involved in actual NASA projects. It’s a great way to enhance your skills, build your professional network, and strengthen your resume. With 3 sessions a year, OSTEM provides multiple opportunities for you to get practical experience and explore potential careers in STEM with one of the most prestigious institutions in the world.
Stipend: Awarded based on academic level and session duration.
Location: NASA centers across the country.
Program dates:
Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January - early May)
Summer: 10 weeks (late May - August)
Fall: 16 weeks (late August - mid-December)
Application deadline:
Fall: May 16
Spring: September 12
Summer: February 27
Eligibility: Full-time high school students over 16 years of age with a cumulative 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale who are U.S. citizens are eligible to apply.
6. TARGET by Fermilab
If you are a motivated high school student seeking to expand your knowledge while gaining valuable real-world experience, the TARGET Program at Fermilab may be your ideal option. It is a competitive six-week summer internship for Illinois high school sophomores and juniors who are passionate about physics, mathematics, computer science, and engineering.
As an intern in this paid engineering internship for high school students, you’ll have the opportunity to delve into projects that combine real-world applications with experiential learning, providing a deeper understanding of STEM concepts. The program aims to inspire students to pursue higher education and careers in these fields by providing a challenging environment and expert mentorship.
With a small cohort of around 10-15 students, the program focuses on giving each participant personalized attention to help them grow in their academic and professional interests.
Stipend: Paid opportunity; stipend amount is unspecified.
Location: Fermilab, Batavia, IL
Program dates: June 17 – July 26
Application deadline: February 5
Eligibility: High school sophomores and juniors at the time of application enrolled in an Illinois high school with a minimum 3.0 GPA and work eligibility in the U.S. can apply.
7. Los Alamos National Laboratory Internship
As a New Mexico high school senior interested in exploring career options, the Los Alamos National Laboratory High School Internship Program is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in various fields. You’ll be able to work in both STEM areas, such as physics, engineering, and technology, as well as in non-STEM fields like business and operations support.
Throughout the program, you’ll work closely with experienced mentors who will guide you through real-world projects and help you develop professional skills. The internship is part-time during the school year, and full-time during the summer, typically lasting 10 weeks. Whether you’re looking to explore scientific research or administrative work, this internship prepares you for a variety of career directions.
Stipend: $14/hour (approx.)
Location: Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM
Program dates:
Fall/Spring: Part-time during the school year
Summer: 10 weeks, full-time
Application deadline:
Spring: December 31
Summer: April 15
Fall: September 30
Eligibility: High school seniors who are at least 16 years of age with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75 and attend a high school in northern New Mexico are eligible to apply. Applicants must pass a new employment drug test.
8. Meta Summer Academy
The Meta Summer Academy provides high school students the chance to gain insight into the operations of one of the world’s leading social media networks. During the internship, you'll learn coding, explore various tech careers, and develop essential soft skills that will help you succeed in your future career. This experience is designed to inspire young people to pursue economic success and stability by building valuable skills and gaining early exposure to the tech industry. This prestigious engineering internship for high school students offers practical learning experiences in a dynamic work environment, helping you better understand how large tech companies operate.
Stipend: Participants receive a competitive stipend.
Location: Menlo Park, CA
Program dates: June 16 - July 25; 30 hours per week
Application deadline: February 14
Eligibility: High school sophomores with a minimum of 2.0 cumulative GPA who are year-round residents of East Palo Alto, Belle Haven, or Redwood City are eligible to apply.
9. Idaho National Laboratory (INL) High School Internship Program
The Idaho National Laboratory (INL) High School Internship Program offers paid opportunities for high school students to collaborate with scientists and engineers on ongoing projects. You will have the chance to work on challenges related to nuclear energy, national security, and environmental issues, gaining practical exposure to STEM fields like nuclear engineering, chemistry, and computer science.
As an intern, you’ll be paired with skilled mentors who will guide you through the process, allowing you to apply classroom knowledge to practical work. This internship also provides opportunities to explore other fields, such as business, marketing, and communications. Furthermore, INL encourages students to develop both technical and soft skills through workshops and skill-building activities.
Stipend: Participants receive a nationally competitive stipend; some internships offer holiday pay and travel reimbursement.
Location: Idaho National Laboratory, Idaho Falls, ID
Program dates: 6-8 weeks in the summer
Application deadline: Rolling admissions
Eligibility: Rising juniors (at least 16 years of age), rising seniors, and recently graduated students with a minimum overall 3.0 GPA who are legal U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents are eligible. Applicants must pass all pre-employment screenings.
10. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program at California Academy of Sciences
The Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program at the California Academy of Sciences immerses high school students from underrepresented communities in a unique year-round opportunity to explore science. As an intern in this engineering internship for high school students, you’ll gain hands-on exposure by conducting fieldwork, facilitating learning activities for visitors, and attending interactive trainings on topics like science communication, financial literacy, and college applications.
The program further provides exposure to STEM careers through guest speakers, college tours, and STEM events. Over time, you’ll also have the chance to take on more leadership roles, working on projects with Academy researchers or partners. As you advance, you’ll also join the CiS Leadership Council and may receive mentorship from Academy experts.
Stipend: Paid opportunity; stipend amount is unspecified.
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, California, CA
Program dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation.
Application Deadline: April 1
Eligibility:
currently enrolled full-time as a 9th or 10th-grade student in an SFUSD school;
maintained a GPA of 2.5 and a grade of C or higher in math and science
can obtain a valid work permit in the U.S.;
can commit to all attendance requirements 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 involved).
11. University of New Hampshire’s HighTech Bound
The University of New Hampshire’s HighTech Bound is a paid summer internship program designed for high school students entering their senior year. This 4 to 6-week program gives you the chance to work in a computer lab, developing technical skills in network technologies. Under the guidance of mentors, you'll work with various teams on projects using the latest software and hardware technologies from companies like Apple, Dell, and Cisco.
You’ll also have the opportunity to research tech solutions and contribute to real-world projects used in fields like smart cars and internet devices. By participating, you’ll gain hands-on experience, earn high school credit, and even be considered for future job opportunities.
Stipend: Interns are paid a competitive hourly stipend.
Location: University of New Hampshire Campus, Durham, NH
Program dates: July 7 – August 7
Application deadline: February 28
Eligibility: Rising seniors who are U.S. residents are eligible to apply.
12. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace
The Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace gives high school students in New York City the opportunity to explore genetic engineering and biology through a 6-month practical experience. During the program, you’ll work in the lab using the latest techniques in genetics and biology while also developing science communication skills to share your findings effectively.
Collaborating with 12 other teens and experienced scientist mentors, you’ll design a research project based on your own interests. In addition to lab work, you’ll participate in field trips, career guidance sessions, and tours of research labs and biotech companies. This engineering internship for high school students focuses on inclusion, encouraging students from underrepresented groups in the sciences to apply.
Stipend: $2,000
Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Program dates: February 27 - May 22 (Spring session); June 30 - August 15 (Summer session)
Application deadline: February (tentative)
Eligibility: High school students who are 16 years or older and attend a New York City public or charter school within 45 minutes of Genspace are eligible to apply.
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