Automation Internships
Automation 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. Roles are concentrated across Manufacturing, Technology & Software, and Construction & Real Estate, with Siemens, Novelis, and Burns & McDonnell among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 196+ Automation Internships
1. Move machine shop Cobot to location.
2. Set up Cobot.
3. Learn how to Home/position Cobot.
4. Power up and learn how to program and operate cobot.
5. Operate/program/run Cobot to do tasks.
6. Learn how to interface Cobot with Mazak CNC machine.
7. Help determine what parts/tasks we can run with Cobot and Mazak.
8. Complete interface with Mazak and run to determine problems/obstacles.
9. Determine next group of parts that can be ran using experience from the first group.
10. Support machine operators with use of Cobot.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
1. Move machine shop Cobot to location.
2. Set up Cobot.
3. Learn how to Home/position Cobot.
4. Power up and learn how to program and operate cobot.
5. Operate/program/run Cobot to do tasks.
6. Learn how to interface Cobot with Mazak CNC machine.
7. Help determine what parts/tasks we can run with Cobot and Mazak.
8. Complete interface with Mazak and run to determine problems/obstacles.
9. Determine next group of parts that can be ran using experience from the first group.
10. Support machine operators with use of Cobot.
Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
Automation Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Siemens38
- Novelis5
- Burns & McDonnell5
- CDM Smith4
- Keysight Technologies4
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Technology & Software
- Construction & Real Estate
- Banking & Financial Services
Tips for Your Automation Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large employers recruit summer automation interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear throughout the year. Map out which employers interest you and check their posting cycles so you're not caught applying after a cohort has already closed.
Build project evidence before you send one application
Automation intern hiring teams expect limited work history, so a linked code repository, documented controls project, or CAD portfolio carries more weight than job titles. Complete two or three projects that show the tools you know, host them somewhere reviewers can access them, and reference them directly on your resume.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured automation 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 your campus activity widens the pool you reach without duplicating effort.
Practice the automation intern screen out loud
Engineering-track automation internships typically involve a coding screen focused on data structures, algorithms, or controls concepts. Practice solving problems out loud and narrating your reasoning, not just arriving at an answer, because interviewers weigh how you think as much as the final solution. Run through practice problems under timed conditions before your first real screen.
Target structured automation internship programs early
Larger companies in manufacturing, robotics, and industrial technology run cohort or rotational internship programs built to train candidates new to the field. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often carry clearer mentorship and project structure than ad-hoc intern roles. Identify the programs that fit your background and apply in the first posting wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 62% of the automation internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings, then filter by location and work type so you're only reviewing roles you can actually take. Applying to roles you'd decline wastes time you could spend on stronger fits.
Automation Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an automation internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For automation candidates, a linked code repository or documented project with clear tooling gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where automation recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an automation 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 automation interns is consistent delivery on real project work, available headcount on the team, and understanding the timeline for return-offer decisions before your internship ends. Position for one by performing well, but don't count on it before you've started.
When should I apply for automation internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers recruit summer automation interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, which means openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single hiring season gives you the widest window.
Are automation internships paid?
Most professional automation internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it. Unpaid internships exist but are far less common at established employers in this field.
What should an automation internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Highlight two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used and link directly to the work, such as a code repository, published analysis, or CAD portfolio. Add relevant coursework in controls, robotics, or programming. Keep it to one page, which is the standard expectation for internship candidates.
Are there remote automation internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 38% of the automation internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them as soon as they post.
Can international students get automation 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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