AI Research Engineer Internships
Ai research engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working research engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Technology & Software, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, and Automotive, with ByteDance, Meta, and TikTok among the employers posting roles now.
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Research Scientist Intern, Embedded Contextual AI on Wearables (PhD) Responsibilities:
- Build and characterize experimental HW+SW systems on AR devices and device prototypes
- Develop embedded firmware and software in RTOS and mobile operating systems, e.g. AOSP
- Collaborate with other researchers and engineers across various disciplines
Minimum Qualifications:
- Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining a PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Programming and simulation experience with languages such as C/C++ and Python
- Experience with computer architecture and HW/SW co-design and co-optimization
- Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain on-going work authorization during employment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in HW+SW system prototyping using embedded device prototypes and FPGAs
- Experience in operating systems, drivers, and embedded firmware development
- Experience working in a machine learning framework, e.g. PyTorch
- Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment
- Demonstrated embedded software experience via an internship, work experience, coding competitions, or widely used contributions in open source repositories (e.g. GitHub)
- Intent to return to degree-program after the completion of the internship/co-op
- Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as CVPR, ECCV/ICCV, SIGGRAPH, or similar
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$7,313/month to $12,134/month + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
Research Scientist Intern, Embedded Contextual AI on Wearables (PhD) Responsibilities:
- Build and characterize experimental HW+SW systems on AR devices and device prototypes
- Develop embedded firmware and software in RTOS and mobile operating systems, e.g. AOSP
- Collaborate with other researchers and engineers across various disciplines
Minimum Qualifications:
- Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining a PhD in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- Programming and simulation experience with languages such as C/C++ and Python
- Experience with computer architecture and HW/SW co-design and co-optimization
- Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain on-going work authorization during employment
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in HW+SW system prototyping using embedded device prototypes and FPGAs
- Experience in operating systems, drivers, and embedded firmware development
- Experience working in a machine learning framework, e.g. PyTorch
- Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment
- Demonstrated embedded software experience via an internship, work experience, coding competitions, or widely used contributions in open source repositories (e.g. GitHub)
- Intent to return to degree-program after the completion of the internship/co-op
- Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as CVPR, ECCV/ICCV, SIGGRAPH, or similar
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$7,313/month to $12,134/month + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
AI Research Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Automotive
- Healthcare & Medical Services
Tips for Your AI Research Engineer Internship Search
Apply in fall for the following summer
Large research employers open summer intern cohorts as early as September of the preceding year and close them before spring. If you wait until January, the most competitive programs are already full. Set a reminder to check listings each fall and submit your materials as soon as roles appear.
Build a documented research portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams evaluating ai research engineer candidates expect limited professional history, so your GitHub repositories, research write-ups, or Jupyter notebooks carry more weight than any prior job title. Document each project with a clear problem statement, the methods you used, and your results so reviewers can assess your thinking without asking.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and professors often know which research labs recruit from your school before roles post publicly. At the same time, apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts, since many ai research engineer intern openings never appear at campus events. Both channels together reach more opportunities than either alone.
Practice your technical screen out loud before your first interview
Ai research engineer intern screens typically involve coding problems on algorithms and data structures, plus questions about machine learning concepts and system design fundamentals. Practice solving problems while explaining your reasoning aloud, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured research intern programs and apply in the first wave
Large technology companies and industrial research labs run cohort-based intern programs, sometimes called research internships or PhD fellowships, built to train people new to applied research. These programs recruit on a fixed calendar, fill their earliest slots first, and are competitive. Identify the ones aligned with your research area and submit your application as soon as they open.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 78% of the ai research engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type up front on Migrate Mate means you spend your time on roles you can actually take, not on openings you'll rule out at the offer stage.
AI Research Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an ai research engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For ai research engineer candidates, a GitHub repository with documented machine learning experiments or research implementations 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 research engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for ai research engineer interns is performance on real research tasks, whether the team has open headcount, and how early you discuss return-offer timelines with your manager. Position yourself by delivering on your project scope without counting on a standing offer.
When should I apply for ai research engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large tech and research employers open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before the new year. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role opens gives you the strongest shot at competitive programs.
Are ai research engineer internships paid?
Most professional ai research engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show the range where the employer discloses it. Research-focused roles at large technology companies and national labs tend to offer competitive compensation, while nonprofit and academic settings may vary.
What should an ai research engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that show the tools you used and link to the code or write-up, since a linked GitHub repository or research report gives reviewers something to assess beyond bullet points. Add relevant coursework in machine learning, statistics, or systems, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote ai research engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 22% of the ai research engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants nationally, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a research scientist internship or PhD-track internship in AI?
Several large technology and industrial research labs run structured PhD-track or research scientist intern programs specifically for doctoral and advanced master's students working on AI problems. These programs pair interns with staff researchers on publication-worthy projects and recruit early, often opening applications a full year ahead. They are competitive, so identify the programs that match your research area and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get ai research 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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