Automation Engineer Internships

Automation engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Manufacturing, Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, and Distribution & Wholesale, with Tesla, Melaleuca, and Siemens among the employers posting roles now.

Find Automation Engineer Internships

Overview

Open roles16
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerTesla
Top cityPalo Alto, CA
Work type75% On-site
Top industryManufacturing

Showing 5 of 16+ Automation Engineer Internships

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AI/ML Engineer — GTM Automation - Intern
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A
New 1m ago
AI/ML Engineer — GTM Automation - Intern
Aptasentry
Remote
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
Technical Program Management
Remote (US)

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Siemens
Protection & Automation Mechanical/Industrial & Systems Engineer Co-Op (North Carolina State University)
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Siemens
New 1m ago
Protection & Automation Mechanical/Industrial & Systems Engineer Co-Op (North Carolina State University)
Siemens
Wendell, North Carolina
Drafting & CAD
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
$25 - $25.5/hr
10,000+

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Melaleuca
Internship 2027 - Quality Assurance Automation Engineer
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Melaleuca
New 1m ago
Internship 2027 - Quality Assurance Automation Engineer
Melaleuca
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Cloud & DevOps
DevOps
Technical Program Management
1,001-5,000

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Benchmark
Intern - Manufacturing Automation Engineer
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Benchmark
New 1m ago
Intern - Manufacturing Automation Engineer
Benchmark
Concord, California
Automation QA
Quality Assurance & Testing (QA Testing)
Software Engineering
10,000+

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A
Senior Design Engineer - Custom Machinery & Automation
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New 1m ago
Senior Design Engineer - Custom Machinery & Automation
Applied Engineering
Rogers, Minnesota
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
$45 - $60/hr
Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

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Automation Engineer Internship Market

Who's Hiring

Tesla
Tesla5 open roles
Melaleuca
Melaleuca2 open roles
Siemens
Siemens1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Manufacturing
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
  • Distribution & Wholesale

Tips for Your Automation Engineer Internship Search

Apply months before your target start date

Large employers recruit summer automation engineer interns the preceding fall, and structured cohort programs often close before the calendar year ends. Smaller companies and co-op rotations post closer to start dates, so check listings throughout the year rather than waiting for a single hiring window.

Build a project portfolio before you apply

Automation engineer intern recruiters expect limited work history, so your evidence comes from what you have built. Document two or three complete projects with the tools used, such as PLC programs, robotic cell simulations, or control-system scripts, and link to the files or repository so reviewers can assess your work directly.

Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time

Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied 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 cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never appear at fairs.

Practice your technical screen out loud before you apply

Automation engineer intern interviews typically involve a technical screen covering controls concepts, ladder logic or scripting exercises, and sometimes a troubleshooting scenario. Practice explaining your reasoning step by step, not just producing the answer, because interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the right solution.

Target structured rotational and university cohort programs early

Larger manufacturers and industrial technology companies run rotational engineering internship programs built to train people new to the field. These programs recruit early and fill fast, so identify the ones aligned with your skills, confirm their application windows, and submit in the first wave rather than waiting until roles are widely advertised.

Set your work-type filter before you start searching

On-site roles are 75% of the automation engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you start reviewing listings, then filter by location and work type so you are not sorting through roles you cannot take.

Automation Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an automation engineer internship?

Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For automation engineer candidates, a linked GitHub repository or documented project portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.

Can an automation engineer internship turn into a full-time job?

Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For automation engineer interns, what actually drives it is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and the timing of the return-offer decision. Treat the internship as an audition, deliver visible results, and ask your manager early about the return-offer timeline without counting on a specific outcome.

When should I apply for automation engineer internships?

Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit summer automation engineer interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly rather than waiting for a single application season.

Are automation engineer internships paid?

Most professional automation engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid arrangements exist but are uncommon at established engineering programs, and some states have rules that affect unpaid internship arrangements.

What should an automation engineer internship resume include?

Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects with the tools and platforms used, and link to the work directly, such as a GitHub repository, a published report, or a design file. Add relevant coursework in controls, PLCs, robotics, or software, and keep the entire resume to one page.

Are there remote automation engineer internships?

Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 25% of the automation 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 automation 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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