9 Engineering Internships for High School Students in New Jersey (NJ)
Unlike costly pre-college programs, engineering internships for high school students provide real-world exposure by placing you in research labs, corporate offices, and field projects where you can apply engineering concepts in meaningful ways. Many top universities, companies, and organizations in New Jersey offer internship opportunities that introduce you to mechanical, electrical, civil, and biomedical engineering.
If you're considering a future in engineering, these engineering internships for high school students can help you understand industry challenges, work alongside professionals, and gain insight into emerging technologies. With so many opportunities available, we've narrowed down our list to ten of the best engineering internships for high school students in New Jersey, each offering valuable experience.
1. Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory’s High School Summer Internship
Location: Princeton, New Jersey
Stipend: Paid (amount unspecified)
Program Dates: June 30 – August 1
Application Deadline: March 1
Eligibility: Students who are at least 16 years of age and a graduating senior in high school at the start of the internship; should also have U.S. work authorization
The Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL) is one of the top engineering internships for high school students interested in plasma physics and fusion energy. During this 8 to 10-week engineering internship for high school students, you will have the chance to work directly with experienced researchers or engineers on ongoing projects. The work can involve developing solutions for harnessing fusion energy, contributing to the design and maintenance of experimental equipment, or even analyzing data from simulations and experiments.
To be eligible, you should have experience in physics, chemistry, advanced mathematics, or engineering, as well as familiarity with coding languages such as Python or Java, and CAD tools like SolidWorks or AutoCAD. This internship provides a valuable opportunity to get practical exposure in a cutting-edge research environment and explore advanced topics, including magnetic confinement devices and plasma physics.
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Program Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; the upcoming summer cohort starts on June 2
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; April 13 for the regular admission into the summer cohort
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
Ladder Internships is a selective program designed for motivated high school students looking to gain hands-on experience with fast-growing start-ups. Throughout this virtual 8-week internship, you'll collaborate with companies across a wide range of industries, including engineering, tech, AI/ML, health tech, and consulting. These start-ups are typically high-growth ventures, many of which have secured over a million dollars in funding. As an intern, you’ll work directly on meaningful projects with guidance from both a company mentor and a dedicated Ladder Coach, culminating in a final presentation of your work to the team. Here is the application form.
3. Navy Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP)
Location: Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD), Lakehurst, New Jersey
Stipend: $4,000 (new participants); $4,500 (returning participants)
Program Dates: 8 weeks in the summer (varies depending on lab)
Application Deadline: November 1
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-12 who are 16 years old by the start of the program and are U.S. citizens
If you're an ambitious high school student looking to gain practical experience in STEM directly with the Government, the Navy Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) at the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) could be a great fit for you. As one of the top engineering internships for high school students, this internship allows you to dive into fields like avionics, robotics, jet propulsion, and cybersecurity while working alongside experienced professionals on real-world projects. You may be involved in designing and testing aircraft launch and recovery systems, analyzing advanced avionics, or improving maintenance systems for naval aviation.
Throughout this prestigious engineering internship for high school students, you’ll assist with research, attend technical seminars, and develop skills in areas such as systems engineering, programming, and material science. It is especially suited for students with a strong demonstrated background in applied mathematics, computer science, or engineering.
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,490
Program Dates: Multiple 8-week cohorts throughout the year, including spring, summer, fall, and winter
Application Deadline: Multiple cohorts in a year; the regular summer application deadline is April 27
Eligibility: High school students who have experience in AI/ML or those who have completed a Veritas AI program
The Veritas AI Internship Program, created and led by Harvard graduate students, is an 8-week experience where students contribute to real-world AI/ML projects with venture-backed start-ups. Participants collaborate directly with mentors from top institutions and companies such as Harvard, Wharton, Google, Microsoft, and McKinsey & Company. This program is geared toward students who already have some background in AI/ML and are eager to apply their skills in a professional setting. Throughout the internship, you’ll engage with industry professionals, gain insights from company leadership, and receive a letter of completion at the end of the program. You can learn more about the program here and apply here.
5. NASA Office of STEM Engagements (OSTEM) Internships
Location: NASA centers across the country
Stipend: Paid
Program Dates:
- Spring: 16 weeks (mid-January – early May)
- Summer: 10 weeks (late May – August)
- Fall: 16 weeks (late August – mid-December)
Application Deadline:
- Spring: August 23
- Summer: February 28
- Fall: May 16
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
For high school students interested in space exploration, engineering, or technology, NASA’s Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM) internships provide a unique opportunity to work alongside scientists, engineers, and other professionals in actual laboratories. These paid engineering internships for high school students enable you to contribute to NASA's mission, gaining valuable experience in areas such as aeronautics, space technology, and scientific research.
You’ll work on projects that could involve anything from engineering design to data analysis, and you'll have the chance to collaborate with mentors who are leaders in their fields. The internships are available for both full-time and part-time positions at various NASA centers, offering flexibility in how you engage with the program, as well as valuable networking opportunities. With three sessions held annually, this internship is a great way to enhance your resume and develop skills essential for future careers in STEM fields.
6. The Build A Better Book Project by the University of Colorado Boulder
Location: Mountain Lakes Public Library, Mountain Lakes, New Jersey
Stipend: Paid (amount unspecified)
Program Dates: 18 weeks in the summer
Application Deadline: Applications typically open in February
Eligibility: Students must be solely U.S. citizens (dual citizens and permanent residents are not eligible); should be turning 18 years old at the time of application, and have a driver’s license and their own transportation to the internship site
The Build A Better Book project is a unique opportunity for high school students to explore accessible design through practical work with a variety of tools and technologies. As an intern in this unique engineering internship for high school students, you’ll collaborate with local organizations to create learning resources, such as books and games, that are inclusive for people with visual impairments or other disabilities.
The program teaches you to use both low-tech and high-tech equipment, such as 3D printers, laser cutters, and even coding for interactive features. Over the course of 50+ hours, you’ll gain practical experience in design, prototyping, and testing, working on projects like tactile books or educational apps. You’ll also learn about client-centered design, where you’ll address real needs by developing solutions for local clients like St. Joseph's School for the Blind.
7. Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI)
Location: Online and in-person options across the U.S.
Cost: Free
Program Dates: June – August
Application Deadline: March (tentative)
Eligibility: High school seniors who plan to enrol in a 4-year program in the U.S. or Canada and intend to pursue a degree in a related department
The Google Computer Science Summer Institute (CSSI) immerses motivated high school students in programming, software engineering, and web development for three weeks. Through hands-on, project-based learning, you’ll explore key coding concepts in languages like Python and JavaScript, as well as web development tools such as HTML and CSS.
The program emphasizes problem-solving and teamwork, where you'll work in teams to build real-world applications, mimicking the challenges developers face in the tech industry. You’ll also benefit from mentorship by Google engineers, gaining insights into both technical skills and career development in the tech world. By the end of this competitive engineering internship for high school students, you’ll have created your own web-based project while learning industry best practices, teamwork, and coding techniques!
8. The Intern Group Remote Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: $1,990 – $2,490
Program Dates: Internships start every 2 weeks, all year round
Application Deadline: January 31
Eligibility: Current high school students or graduates who are at least 16
The Intern Group’s Remote Internship Program offers high school students the flexibility to gain professional experience from anywhere in the world. Through this program, you can work with over 3,000 global companies in various fields, including engineering, on projects that align with your career interests.
The internship can be done part-time or full-time, allowing you to balance it with your other commitments. You’ll go through a tailored placement process where the program’s team helps match you with suitable opportunities based on your skills and preferences. The remote nature of this internship enables you to develop skills essential for a digital workplace, such as communication and self-management, which are highly valued by future employers. Internships can range from 4 to 24 weeks, and you can choose your start date every two weeks, making it easy to fit into your schedule!
9. George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP)
Location: Remote + In-person options
Cost: Free (except for a $25 application fee)
Program Dates: June 18 – August 8
Application Deadline: February (tentatively)
Eligibility: 15 or older for the remote internships
George Mason University’s Aspiring Scientists Summer Internship Program (ASSIP) is one of those engineering internships for high school students that gives you the chance to work one-on-one with faculty researchers from George Mason University as well as other institutions. For over eight weeks, you will develop and exercise scientific writing and communication skills, learn how to use cutting-edge sophisticated equipment and technologies and gain hands-on experience, and attend discussion forums and meetings that give you a better idea of the STEM career choices available to you. The program ends in a final poster session, and you might even get the chance to get your name published in scientific journals and your work presented at scientific conferences.
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