12 Engineering Internships for High School Students in Los Angeles (LA), California
Unlike expensive summer camps, internships offer a budget-friendly means to learn from working professionals while working on real-world projects. In fact, most top universities, research centers, and corporations offer engineering internships for high school students. For engineering students interested in internships, these programs provide access to diverse fields of study, including mechanical and electrical engineering, robotics, and aerospace.
Whether you participate in in-person or online engineering internships for high school students, you’ll get the chance to apply classroom learning to real-world workplaces while making connections with mentors and peers. Here are 12 engineering internships for high school students in Los Angeles!
1. NASA Office of STEM Internships
Location: NASA centers across the country + Virtual
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies based on internship
Application Deadline:
Spring: September 12
Summer: February 27
Fall: May 22
Eligibility: Applicants must be a U.S. citizen, at least 16 years of age, with at least a 3.0 GPA
If you’re interested in learning about the intersection between engineering and space exploration, then check out the OSTEM internships offered by NASA! As a NASA intern, you will get hands-on work with cutting-edge technologies in science, technology, aeronautics, and more. Many of the internships, including engineering internships for high school students, are offered on-site at various NASA centers across the U.S.; however, there are also virtual and hybrid internships available.
During the internship, you’ll get to work on real-world projects that contribute to NASA’s mission and develop technical skills that are bound to help you down the line. You’ll also be able to collaborate and work with NASA scientists, engineers, and other professionals who will act as mentors and guide you during your internship. While participating in a NASA internship is a great way to enhance STEM skills and knowledge, it’s important to note that they also offer non-STEM related internships.
For more information, check out this guide!
2. Ladder Internship Program
Location: Remote
Cost: Starting at $2,490 (financial aid available)
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year; the summer cohort starts on July 14
Application Deadline: Deadlines vary depending on the cohort; the regular admission to the summer cohort is June 23
Eligibility: Students who can work for 10-20 hours/week, for 8-12 weeks
The Ladder Internship Program offers selective internships for high school students eager to gain hands-on work experience at a start-up. Many of Ladder’s start-ups are high-growth companies that earn over a million dollars on average. They provide internships that range across a wide variety of industries, including AI, technology, machine learning, health tech, and more. As an intern, you will work on a real-world project that contributes to the company. You’ll also work closely with a manager from the start-up as well as a Ladder Coach. At the end of the internship, you’ll get to present your work to the company! Here’s the application form.
3. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) Scholars Program
Location: Various locations across the country. The closest one to Los Angeles is 90 miles north of Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies, depending on the program
Application Deadline: October 10 – January 10
Eligibility: High schoolers with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale; U.S. citizens with a valid driver’s license; must also be eligible to work 40 hours a week for summer internship positions
If you’re interested in hands-on experiences in chemical and aeronautical engineering, then the AFRL Scholars Program is for you! Some other areas of this field you can explore include propulsion systems, materials science, mechanical and aerospace design, and so on. During this program, you will go on laboratory tours, work with cutting-edge technologies, and contribute to relevant research-based projects. You’ll also be mentored by experienced AFRL scientists and engineers. Some of the research topics include the Accelerated Aging of Spacecraft Materials, 24/7 Optical Space Domain Awareness, Advanced Robot Controller Design and Implementation, and more.
4. Veritas AI
Location: Virtual
Cost: $2,290 – $6,900; Financial aid is available
Dates: Multiple 12-15-week cohorts throughout the year; see dates here
Application Deadline: On a rolling basis; the summer application deadline is May 25
Eligibility: High school students
Founded and run by Harvard graduate students, the Veritas AI program offers programs and internships to high school students looking to learn more about artificial intelligence. As a participant, you can choose from two main programs: the AI Scholars program and the AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program.
The AI Scholars program is for you if you’re just getting started with AI, ML, and data science. It offers ten sessions that will introduce you to the fundamentals of AI & data science and also give you the chance to work on real-world projects. The AI Fellowship with Publication & Showcase program, on the other hand, is for students who want a more advanced experience. During this program, you will work 1:1 with mentors from top universities on a unique, individual project. You might even get the chance to publish your work in high school research journals with the help of the in-house publication team. Here are some past projects you can check out!
5. Stanford’s SHTEM: Summer Internship
Location: Virtual
Cost/Stipend: $50 application fee; Unpaid
Dates: June 17 – August 9 (As per the previous year)
Application Deadline: March 1 (As per the previous year)
Eligibility: Current high school juniors or seniors; At least 14 by program start;
Stanford’s SHTEM Summer Internship is a great choice for high school students eager to explore biotechnology and bioengineering. This program is open to both high school and college students, making it rather competitive. If you get in, you will get the chance to form connections and network with peers as well as other scientists and Stanford staff. As an intern, you’ll delve into the theoretical and practical aspects of scientific research and work with other high school students as well as college students. You’ll also be mentored by Stanford faculty and researchers and will learn about how humanities and STEM are interrelated.
Please note that the program is currently on hiatus and will reopen in 2026 with an even more enriching experience!
6. The Intern Project (TIP)
Location: Virtual and in-person placements in Los Angeles, CA
Stipend: Paid internships, plus potential for college credit
Dates: June – August (8 weeks)
Application Deadline: March
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors enrolled in an LA County High School
The Intern Project (TIP) offers engineering internships for high school students from LA County schools, giving you the chance to work in exciting professional fields. As an intern, you’ll get to work with one of the following industries that TIP partners with: Business, Engineering and Tech, Media and Entertainment, Sports, Government/non-profit/philanthropy, and Healthcare and Medical technology. The summer program lasts eight weeks, from June to August. You will receive compensation and college credit after finishing the program.
7. Science and Engineering Apprenticeship Program (SEAP) – Department of the Navy
Location: Numerous labs across the country, with multiple near the LA area
Stipend: New interns receive a stipend of $4,000, while returning interns receive $4,500
Dates: June – August (~8 weeks)
Application Deadline: August 1 – November 1
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors at least 16 years old with U.S. citizenship
The SEAP is a research-based initiative designed to immerse high school students in Department of Navy laboratories across the United States. The program is extremely competitive, with 38 labs across the country offering 300 placements. Working on actual Naval research projects alongside renowned Navy scientists and engineers, you will receive individualized mentoring and practical experience in cutting-edge STEM subjects, including engineering.
Depending on your areas of interest, you can choose the lab positions that best suit you. Engineering is a highly sought-after concentration, with numerous labs across the nation providing chances in this area. Creating Ansys Fluent processes for axial fan simulations, examining the impact of flow around objects, examining CSS Georgia bones, and evaluating various consolidants are some examples of previous research subjects.
8. UCR Stride Engineering Program
Location: University of California, Riverside, CA
Stipend: $2,500
Dates: June 23 – July 25
Application Deadline: January 20
Cohort Size: 60 students
Eligibility: High school students from Riverside and San Bernardino counties
The UC Riverside STRIDE program is a 5-week summer research program that pairs you with UCR faculty mentors and a varied collection of undergraduate, graduate, and medical student mentors. STRIDE provides possibilities to collaborate on projects combining bioengineering, materials science, and tissue engineering. Whether you're studying biomaterials for regenerative medicine, investigating nanotechnology applications, or designing tissue scaffolds with engineering principles, you'll acquire significant experience applying engineering concepts to real-world medical problems. In addition to lab-based instruction, STRIDE offers complete training in scientific and communication skills through workshops, career panels, talks, and mentorship sessions.
9. MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute
Location: Virtual options available + In-person at MIT
Cost: $2,350 (for applicants with a family income $150,000 or more); Free (for applicants with a family income less than $150,000)
Dates: June 20 – August 3
Application Deadline: Mach 31
Eligibility: U.S. high school rising seniors are preferred; Freshmen, sophomores, and juniors are welcome to apply
The MIT Beaver Works Summer Institute is a collaborative effort between Lincoln Laboratory and MIT campus. The aim of the program is to introduce students to the world of engineering and research through four weeks of hands-on project-based workshops. Some topics covered in BWSI’s courses include AI technologies, robotics, cybersecurity, and more. It offers both in-person and virtual opportunities for high school students interested in attending. As a virtual attendee, you can participate in courses like Autonomous Cognitive Assistance (CogWorks), Basics of ASICs, Medlytics, Microelectronics and Hardware Development, and so much more.
10. Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) High School Internships
Location: Multiple labs across the U.S., including one in Playa Vista, CA
Stipend: Paid
Dates: Varies based on lab
Application Deadline: Rolling
Eligibility: High school seniors; U.S. citizens or permanent residents; Specific requirements vary by lab
The Army Educational Outreach Program (AEOP) offers engineering internships for high school students, among others, that are sure to prepare you for the next step in your STEM journey. The program offers access to cutting-edge research, state-of-the-art labs, and professional scientists and engineers. The AEOP internships provide the chance for you to apply classroom knowledge to practical, real-world projects. You’ll also work with scientists or engineers, learning about relevant technical skills, lab techniques, and more. You’ll also be able to form connections and grow your network. Aside from that, you’ll also attend seminars and workshops that discuss careers in STEM, research areas, and the soft skills you’ll need in a professional setting.
11. AECOM: High School Internship
Location: AECOM, Downtown Los Angeles
Stipend: $20-$22/hour
Dates: Mid-June to August
Application Deadline: Not mentioned
Eligibility: High school students (graduating seniors included); Strong written and verbal communication skills preferred
The AECOM high school internship will have you shadowing faculty and professionals like building engineers, environmental engineers, project managers, construction personnel, marketing and business personnel, architects, and more. This will give you the chance to learn more about these various roles and how they contribute to the company. You will also learn about the technological side of construction and may even get training in relevant software. As an intern, you’ll undergo safety training, tour project construction sites and make site observation reports, take minutes for meetings, and more. By the end of the internship, you’ll have First Aid Certification and Occupational Safety Health Administration (OSHA) 10 Certification.
12. UCLA Environmental Engineering Summer Institute
Location: UCLA campus, Los Angeles, CA
Cost: $2,741; Financial aid available
Dates: June 23 – July 3
Application Deadline: June 13
Eligibility: High school students in grades 10-11 in spring
If you’re interested in learning about how environmental issues impact marginalized communities and how you can use engineering and science to create valuable solutions and a positive impact, then this program is for you!
The UCLA Environmental Engineering Summer Institute is an intense, two-week program that aims to equip high school students with an immersive research experience that focuses on real-world community needs. During the program, you will get hands-on training in the basic research skills needed in environmental engineering and science. You will also attend discussions and readings that analyse the connection between race, poverty, and environmental exposures. As a participant, you will also get to participate in field work, like collecting relevant field data that can be examined in the lab. You’ll also go on field trips relevant to the current curriculum.
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