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 {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Tesla, Champion Technology Services, and Plexus among the employers posting roles now.
Find Automation Engineer InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 41+ Automation Engineer Internships
Job Details
Division: Nucor Tubular Products - South
Location: Birmingham, AL, United States
Co-Op Period: Spring 2027
Welcome to Nucor, where our unique culture sets us apart. Joining Nucor means becoming part of North America's largest steel and steel products manufacturer, offering unmatched career opportunities and stability. We are known for our innovative sustainability practices and are the continent's largest recycler. Our vibrant culture, built on personal connections and teamwork, empowers every team member with the freedom to innovate and contribute to our collective success. Experience a workplace where safety, efficiency, and meaningful personal connections define every day, enriching both our teammates and the communities we serve.
Basic Job Functions:
The student completing this co-op will work closely with automation/process engineering mentors and cross‑functional teams to execute continuous improvement projects focused on automation, controls, and process performance.
- Support design, modification, and optimization of automated systems and production processes.
- Assist with PLC, HMI, and SCADA/Historian troubleshooting and enhancements.
- Analyze process data (downtime, OEE, cycle rates) to identify improvement opportunities.
- Collaborate with maintenance and operations to implement process improvements.
- Document changes using P&IDs, functional specs, schematics, and change logs.
- Support commissioning and testing of automation upgrades.
Safety is the most important part of all jobs within Nucor; therefore, candidates must be able to demonstrate the ability to initiate, lead, and uphold safety policies, practices, procedures, and housekeeping standards at all times.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Seeking a 4‑year degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Chemical, or related Engineering field (Engineering Technology also considered).
- Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the US (Nucor will not sponsor the need for a visa now or in the future).
Preferred Qualifications:
- Exposure to PLC programming concepts (ladder, FBD, structured text
- Familiarity with HMI/SCADA systems (Ignition, WinCC, FactoryTalk).
- Ability to interpret electrical schematics, P&IDs, loop diagrams, and network layouts.
- Experience or coursework in process control, instrumentation, or manufacturing systems.
- Data analysis skills in Excel (pivots), plus exposure to Power BI, Python, or SQL.
- Knowledge of automation safety practices (LOTO, risk assessments).
- Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or SolidWorks is a plus.
- Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills in industrial environments.
Nucor is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a drug-free workplace
Automation Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
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 86% 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 14% 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.
See All 41 Automation Engineer Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Automation Engineer Internships