10 Engineering Internships for High School Students in California
California, known for its vibrant tech industry and innovative spirit, offers numerous opportunities for high school students to gain hands-on experience in engineering. Internships provide a unique platform for students to apply their classroom knowledge to real-world projects, develop technical skills, and explore potential career paths in engineering. Whether you're interested in mechanical engineering, aerospace, computer science, or environmental engineering, there's an internship opportunity that can help you get a head start in your field of interest.
In this blog, we'll highlight ten engineering internships tailored for high school students in California.
1. Ladder Internships - Engineering Track
Location: Virtual
Application Deadline: Fall cohort - August 25, 2024
Dates: The exact dates may vary. Summer cohorts typically run June-August
Cost: Starts at $1,990 (financial aid available)
Eligibility: High school students who can work for 5-15 hours/week for 8-16 weeks. The program is also open to gap-year students and college students!
Founded by Harvard alumni, Ladder Internships aims to match qualified students with leading startups and nonprofits across the globe. Organizations students have interned with include Billion Dollar Startup Ideas, JuneBrain, and Fair Opportunity Project. Ladder Internships are competitive: around 100 students get placed annually. Ladder offers internship opportunities in multiple fields, including mechanical engineering.
If selected, you work with your startup manager and a Ladder coach, who will guide you while you work on a real-world project relevant to the company. You will present your work at the end of the internship. Engineering-related projects students have worked on include developing a machine learning model for an e-commerce startup that predicted customer loss. You will also participate in skill-building sessions and individual and group training sessions.
Check out our in-depth review of Ladder Internships here!
2. Air Force Research Laboratory Scholars (AFRL) Program
Location: Edwards Air Force Base, California
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)
Stipend: $492.40/week for high school students.
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.
3. Careers in Science (CiS) Intern Program at California Academy of Sciences
Location: California Academy of Sciences, San Francisco, CA.
Application Deadline: April (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: After school and on weekends, year-round participation for 2-3 years till graduation.
Stipend: Students will receive a stipend, but information on the exact amount is not available.
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.
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.
Stipend: Not specified, but participants receive a competitive stipend.
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.
5. Stanford SHTEM Summer Internship
Location: Remote
Application Deadline: March (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program Dates: June - August (tentatively, based on previous years)
Stipend: Unpaid
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors in the 2023-2024 school year
Stanford's SHTEM internship offers high school students the opportunity to collaborate with community college students on research projects under the guidance of experienced professors, students, and researchers from the Stanford Compression Forum (SCF). The SCF focuses on data compression research through a partnership between academics and industry professionals.
In addition to working on collaborative research projects, SHTEM interns participate in workshops, seminars, and virtual social events. Interns conduct research remotely, with materials for hardware projects sent directly to them. Regular communication with mentors and team members ensures ongoing support. The program requires a commitment of 30-40 hours per week, providing an intensive experience guided by Stanford's renowned faculty and industry experts.
Mechanical engineering projects within the internship include cutting-edge research in areas such as material science, robotics, biomechanics, and more. You can explore previous cohorts' projects to get a sense of the research opportunities available.
6. Sandia National Laboratories Internship
Location: Livermore, CA
Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Students should apply at least three months before their preferred start date.
Program Dates: May-August (10-12 weeks). Year-round and co-op internships are also available.
Stipend: $19 per hour
Eligibility: Must be at least 16 years old with a 3.0 GPA and have U.S. citizenship
Sandia National Laboratories, U.S. Department of Energy contractor, conducts cutting-edge research in various fields, including mechanical engineering. Internships at Sandia provide students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world projects in areas such as energy security, engineering design, simulations, and cybersecurity. Interns collaborate with experienced scientists and engineers, contributing to technological advancements.
Current internships at Sandia cover a range of topics, including monitoring systems technology, materials modeling and simulation, climate research, sustainability, power sources, and nanoscale sciences. Sandia offers both summer and year-round internships.
Year-round internships allow students attending local schools to work part-time, up to 25 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week during school breaks. Co-op internships are offered in partnership with individual schools, allowing students to take time off during the academic year to gain work experience at Sandia. These internships can last 3–8 months and may extend into the adjacent summer term, with participants working up to 40 hours per week.
7. NASA OSTEM High School Internship Programs
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)
Stipend: Awarded based on academic level and session duration.
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!
8. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) - Department of Navy
Location: Various Department of Navy laboratories across the country.
Application Deadline: November 1, 2024
Program Dates: Varies by lab; typically conducted during the summer months for 8 weeks.
Stipend: $4,000 for new participants; $4,500 for returning participants.
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.
9. UCLA Environmental Engineering Summer Institute
Location: Commuter-only program at the University of California, Los Angeles, CA. No housing is provided for attendees
Application Deadline: TBA for 2025.
Program Dates: Typically 2 weeks from July to August
Cost: $2,759; A limited number of full and partial scholarships are available.
Eligibility: 9th-12th grade students are eligible to apply. Students must be at least 15 years old by the first day of the program
The UCLA Environmental Engineering Summer Institute is a two-week, intensive program offering students a hands-on research experience addressing real-world community needs, especially focusing on environmental justice and health. Participants will collaborate on projects that explore the intersections of race, poverty, and environmental exposures, gaining a deep understanding of how marginalized communities are disproportionately affected.
The program features practical training in relevant research skills, including analyzing coastal water samples for antimicrobial resistance and testing community garden soils for lead contamination. Through community-engaged research, participants will enhance their technical skills, critical thinking, and comprehension of environmental justice issues. This experience is designed to prepare students to leverage science and engineering to benefit underserved populations and drive positive societal change.
10. Sally Ride Science Academy at the University of California, San Diego
Location: University of California, San Diego
Application deadline: May (tentatively, based on previous years)
Program dates: 4-day workshops held across July until August for different courses. Students can choose more than one course, the dates don’t overlap
Cost: Each course’s fees differ, ranging from $175 to $450. Scholarships are available
Eligibility: Open to all high school students
This program offers a variety of dynamic workshops across a broad spectrum of subjects, including traditional STEM fields like engineering, astronomy, biology, computer science, and robotics. Additionally, it features workshops on modern topics such as coding, data science, digital design, and psychology.
Led by expert instructors and scientists, these interactive workshops provide an excellent opportunity for participants to explore diverse interests, enhance critical thinking skills, and engage in collaborative projects. While most courses are conducted in person, the program also includes online options to ensure greater flexibility for students.
If you’re looking to build a project/research paper in the field of AI & ML, consider applying to Veritas AI!
Veritas AI is founded by Harvard graduate students. Through the programs, you get a chance to work 1-1 with mentors from universities like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and more to create unique, personalized projects. In the past year, we had over 1000 students learn AI & ML with us. You can apply here!
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