AI Application Engineer Internships
Ai application engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience building and deploying AI-powered systems, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated in Energy, Food & Beverage, and Technology & Software, with Cook, Bosch, and Shure among the employers posting roles now.
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Do you want to learn more on how to best defend the United States, our armed forces, and our allies from all forms of air and missile threats?
If you are pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or a similar major and want to work in an exciting and collaborative environment to solve challenging technical problems, we'd love to have you join our team.
We are seeking an innovative and highly talented intern to join our Information Fusion and Artificial Intelligence Group. You will be joining a team of engineers and scientists who are at the forefront of APL's mission to provide innovative solutions to critical challenges. Accurate, timely, and actionable information derived from a variety of sources provides the warfighter advantages over its adversaries. Our group at APL identifies, develops, and applies efficient and effective algorithms to support critical capabilities for a variety of DoD missions.
As an intern, you will apply math, engineering, computer science, and physics knowledge to implement new distributed algorithms, advanced Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning techniques, data fusion concepts, etc. in support of a wide variety of US Navy, Missile Defense, and Air Force systems.
As a member of our team...
- You will research, implement, prototype, and analyze algorithms, quantify and document the performance capabilities and limitations of algorithms for specific tasks, and provide metrics of robustness and confidence in specific approaches.
- You will interact with large data sets of various types, formats, and structures for algorithm training and testing, data cleaning, pre-processing, normalization, or manipulation as needed.
- You will create, develop, and debug code to contribute to various multi-user software test beds.
- You will create effective visualizations and documentation to explain complex topics to a variety of audiences.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
- Are pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or similar degrees with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Are fluent in Python or C/C++, with the ability to translate mathematical concepts into well-documented and efficient code
- Have a desire to apply software engineering techniques to complex problems
- Have good written and verbal communication skills
- Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
- Are pursuing a PhD degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or similar degrees with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Have basic knowledge in AI/ML or have taken AI/ML courses
- Have basic knowledge in Autonomy, or have taken Autonomy courses
- Have prior experience deploying AI/ML or Autonomy algorithms on edge compute devices
- Have prior experience developing AI/ML algorithms, used Generative AI or LLMs
- Have demonstrated experience in working with version control software like Git
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$22.60 Hourly
Maximum Rate
$47.95 Hourly
AI Application Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Food & Beverage
- Technology & Software
- Marketing & Advertising
Tips for Your AI Application Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large employers recruiting summer ai application engineer interns open applications the preceding fall and close them months before the start date. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Checking listings now means you catch structured programs before they close and smaller cohorts as they open.
Build a portfolio before you polish your resume
Hiring teams for ai application engineer intern roles expect limited work history and assess you on what you have built. Two or three completed projects with linked code repositories, documented model integrations, or deployed application demos give recruiters something real to evaluate and differentiate your application from others with identical coursework.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied directly to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller ai application engineer cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach without duplicating effort.
Practice your technical screen out loud before you apply
AI application engineer intern interviews typically include a coding screen covering data structures, algorithms, and system design questions, often alongside a discussion of a past project or take-home build. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud as you work, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured AI internship programs early
Many larger technology and software employers run dedicated cohort or rotational internship programs specifically designed to train people new to applied AI engineering. These programs recruit earlier than general internship postings and fill fast. Identify the programs that match your background and apply in the first wave of their recruiting cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 40% of the ai application engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you start reviewing listings. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you spend time on roles you can actually accept rather than sorting through ones you cannot.
AI Application Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an ai application engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A portfolio of documented AI projects, ideally with linked code repositories showing real model integrations or application builds, gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an ai application engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For ai application engineer interns, what actually drives it is delivering measurable results on assigned projects, earning trust from the team, and fitting within headcount the following hiring cycle. Position for a return offer by treating every project deliverable seriously without counting on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for ai application engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruiting summer cohorts often open applications the preceding fall and close them well before spring. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you catch both waves rather than missing the early-recruiting window for structured programs.
Are ai application engineer internships paid?
Most professional ai application engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, so there is no single standard. Listings on this page show compensation where the employer discloses it, letting you compare opportunities without chasing down details separately.
What should an ai application engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools, frameworks, and APIs used, with links to your code repositories or deployed demos so reviewers can see the work directly. Add relevant coursework in machine learning, software engineering, or systems design. Keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote ai application engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 60% of the ai application engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get ai application engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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