AI Systems Engineer Internships
Ai systems engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience building and deploying AI pipelines, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Energy, Food & Beverage, and Technology & Software, with Meta, Microsoft, and Cook among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 4 of 38+ AI Systems Engineer Internships
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
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 Systems Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Food & Beverage
- Technology & Software
- Marketing & Advertising
Tips for Your AI Systems Engineer Internship Search
Apply months before the internship starts
Large technology and enterprise employers open summer internship recruiting the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear across the full calendar year. Check listings on a regular cadence rather than waiting for a single seasonal push.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
Hiring teams for ai systems engineer intern roles expect limited work history and assess candidates through the work they can see. Two or three complete GitHub repositories showing AI pipeline design, model deployment, or systems integration give reviewers something concrete to evaluate. Document each project with a clear README describing the problem, your approach, and the tools used.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Your professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside that campus activity widens the pool you reach.
Practice your technical screen out loud before you apply
Ai systems engineer intern interviews typically include a coding screen covering data structures, algorithms, and system design problems. Practice solving problems verbally, narrating your reasoning as you go, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the correct answer. Mock sessions with a peer who can interrupt and ask clarifying questions replicate the actual format.
Target structured internship programs at larger employers first
Many large technology companies run formal rotational or cohort-based internship programs specifically designed to train people new to AI systems work. These programs offer structured mentorship and defined project tracks, but they recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your background and apply in the first week they open.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 50% of the ai systems engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you search, then filter by location and work type so you're not sorting through roles you can't take. On Migrate Mate, the work-type filter applies instantly and keeps your results relevant to your actual situation.
AI Systems Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an ai systems engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at this stage. The concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a linked GitHub repository showing AI or ML systems you've built end to end. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an ai systems 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 is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and understanding when return-offer decisions are made so you can ask for feedback before that window closes. Position for one, but don't count on it when evaluating the opportunity.
When should I apply for ai systems engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large tech and enterprise employers open summer internship recruiting the preceding fall, often as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, which means new openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly, not just once a semester, keeps you from missing cycles that move quietly.
Are ai systems engineer internships paid?
Most professional ai systems engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings display what the employer discloses. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon at established technology and engineering employers, though academic research positions and some nonprofit roles occasionally operate under a stipend or course-credit model.
What should an ai systems engineer internship resume include?
Lead with two or three complete, documented projects rather than work history. For each project, name the tools and frameworks used and link directly to the code repository or deployed system so reviewers can assess your work. Add relevant coursework in machine learning, systems design, or cloud infrastructure. Keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote ai systems engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 50% of the ai systems engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly because they draw applicants nationally, so apply early once you decide what you're open to. Use the work-type filter to see only the format that fits your situation before you start applying.
Can international students get ai systems 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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