Automation Technician Internships
Automation technician internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience with real equipment and control systems, mentorship from working automation engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated in {{top_industries_phrase}}, with BBP, AstraZeneca, and Freeport-McMoRan among the employers posting roles now.
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See related jobsAstraZeneca is seeking an Automation Technician to support Discovery Sciences within Biopharmaceuticals Research & Development (BRD) at its Kendall Square/Cambridge, Massachusetts location. This lab-based intern will weigh and receipt samples, use automated liquid handling, and process customer orders.
Responsibilities
- Weigh and receipt samples.
- Use automated liquid handling.
- Process customer orders.
Required Qualifications
- Currently pursuing a degree in Engineering, as a Rising Sophomore or Rising Junior.
- US Work Authorization is required at time of application. Applicants must have work authorization that does not require future sponsorship.
- Meeting the applicable graduation timeline requirements with an anticipated graduation date set for after August 2027.
- This role will not be granting OPT support.
- AI tools and applications experience.
- Ability to work in a lab-based role conducted in a laboratory environment.
- Ability to report on site to Kendall Square/Cambridge, MA 5 days per week. This role will not provide relocation assistance.
- Program Dates: June 7th - August 13th, 2027
- Hourly rate: $37 per hour
- #earlytalent
Date Posted
12-Nov-2026Closing Date
29-Nov-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.
AstraZeneca is seeking an Automation Technician to support Discovery Sciences within Biopharmaceuticals Research & Development (BRD) at its Kendall Square/Cambridge, Massachusetts location. This lab-based intern will weigh and receipt samples, use automated liquid handling, and process customer orders.
Responsibilities
- Weigh and receipt samples.
- Use automated liquid handling.
- Process customer orders.
Required Qualifications
- Currently pursuing a degree in Engineering, as a Rising Sophomore or Rising Junior.
- US Work Authorization is required at time of application. Applicants must have work authorization that does not require future sponsorship.
- Meeting the applicable graduation timeline requirements with an anticipated graduation date set for after August 2027.
- This role will not be granting OPT support.
- AI tools and applications experience.
- Ability to work in a lab-based role conducted in a laboratory environment.
- Ability to report on site to Kendall Square/Cambridge, MA 5 days per week. This role will not provide relocation assistance.
- Program Dates: June 7th - August 13th, 2027
- Hourly rate: $37 per hour
- #earlytalent
Date Posted
12-Nov-2026Closing Date
29-Nov-2026Our mission is to build an inclusive environment where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees. In furtherance of that mission, we welcome and consider applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of their protected characteristics. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please complete the corresponding section in the application form.
Automation Technician Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Automation Technician Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think you need to
Large manufacturers and industrial employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall and close cohorts before January. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Starting your search in September for a summer role puts you ahead of most applicants and keeps co-op cycles on the table too.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for automation technician interns expect limited work history. What they can assess is documented project work: PLC programs with annotated ladder logic, wiring diagrams, control panel builds, or simulation files from coursework. Host them somewhere linkable, then reference them directly on your resume so recruiters can verify the skills without guessing.
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, since not every employer recruits through university partnerships.
Practice the technical screen out loud before you apply
Automation technician intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering electrical fundamentals, control system concepts, or hands-on troubleshooting scenarios. Practice explaining your reasoning as you work through problems, not just arriving at the right answer, since interviewers weigh how you think through a fault or design decision as much as the final result.
Automation Technician Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an automation technician internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. Build a documented project portfolio showing PLC programs, control system designs, or hands-on lab builds, since that gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Apply directly to open roles and attend campus career fairs, where automation recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an automation technician 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 the right questions early. Position for one by delivering results and building relationships, without counting on it.
When should I apply for automation technician internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large manufacturers and industrial employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often wrapping cohorts before the new year. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you catch both waves rather than missing the early-recruiting window.
Are automation technician internships paid?
Most professional automation technician internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Structured programs at larger industrial and manufacturing employers tend to offer competitive rates, while smaller firms and research settings vary more widely.
What should an automation technician internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools, controllers, or software you used, with links to CAD drawings, PLC code repositories, or lab write-ups so recruiters can verify the work. Add relevant coursework in controls, instrumentation, or electrical systems, and keep the whole document to one page.
Can international students get automation technician 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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