Controls Engineer Internships
Controls engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Roles in Automotive, Electronics & Hardware, and Banking & Financial Services are actively recruiting, with Tesla, Olin Corporation, and Koch Finishing Systems among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 54+ Controls Engineer Internships
At GAF, we cover more than just buildings. We cover each other. Under this roof, you will have the tools and resources you need to begin, grow, and develop in your career. Under this roof, you will experience our incredible culture and be empowered to support your teammates, your customers and especially your community through collaboration. Under this roof, we define the future while leading the present through our commitment to continuous improvement and never being satisfied with the status quo. We are GAF. And under this roof, we protect what matters most.
Controls Engineering Co-Op JD 2027
At GAF, we cover more than just buildings. We cover each other. Under this roof, you will have the tools and resources you need to begin, grow, and develop in your career. Under this roof, you will experience our incredible culture and be empowered to support your teammates, your customers and especially your community through collaboration. Under this roof, we define the future while leading the present through our commitment to continuous improvement and never being satisfied with the status quo. We are GAF. And under this roof, we protect what matters most.
Co-Opportunity is a chance for you to learn about your chosen field in a real work environment with experienced GAF professionals. You’ll be involved in high-profile projects as an integral member of our working teams. We offer full-time assignments to those students who are working toward undergraduate or graduate degrees in chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering. Each assignment lasts a school term, and you may be invited to return for additional terms while you continue your education. You will receive a competitive salary and - depending on location - a temporary living allowance or relocation allowance.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Performing raw material quality assurance activities and material performance.
- Conducting problem solving investigations and troubleshooting to assure root cause is identified, counter measures and recurrence prevention are fully implemented.
- Supporting quality improvement initiatives directly or indirectly with suppliers.
- Providing technical support and analytical analysis for material issues.
- Involvement with data flow diagrams/technical diagrams.
At GAF, We Require:
- Spring - Summer term candidates must be able to work full-time for a minimum of 6-months (January - June 2027). Summer - Fall term candidates must be able to work full-time for a minimum of 6-months (May - December 2027).
- Candidates must be pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.
- All candidates must have a minimum 2.8 GPA, with at least a sophomore standing.
- Problem solving, project management and communication skills are all necessary as is the ability to operate in a team environment. In addition, candidates must have the ability to generate accurate and concise technical reports.
- Candidates should also have computer skills in Google as well as basic knowledge of MS Visio and Auto CAD.
- Each rotation typically culminates with a formal report-out presentation to a group of GAF leaders from multiple functional areas.
GAF complies with federal, state, and local disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR Services at 833-HR-XPERT.
At GAF, we cover more than just buildings. We cover each other. Under this roof, you will have the tools and resources you need to begin, grow, and develop in your career. Under this roof, you will experience our incredible culture and be empowered to support your teammates, your customers and especially your community through collaboration. Under this roof, we define the future while leading the present through our commitment to continuous improvement and never being satisfied with the status quo. We are GAF. And under this roof, we protect what matters most.
Controls Engineering Co-Op JD 2027
At GAF, we cover more than just buildings. We cover each other. Under this roof, you will have the tools and resources you need to begin, grow, and develop in your career. Under this roof, you will experience our incredible culture and be empowered to support your teammates, your customers and especially your community through collaboration. Under this roof, we define the future while leading the present through our commitment to continuous improvement and never being satisfied with the status quo. We are GAF. And under this roof, we protect what matters most.
Co-Opportunity is a chance for you to learn about your chosen field in a real work environment with experienced GAF professionals. You’ll be involved in high-profile projects as an integral member of our working teams. We offer full-time assignments to those students who are working toward undergraduate or graduate degrees in chemical, electrical and mechanical engineering. Each assignment lasts a school term, and you may be invited to return for additional terms while you continue your education. You will receive a competitive salary and - depending on location - a temporary living allowance or relocation allowance.
Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Performing raw material quality assurance activities and material performance.
- Conducting problem solving investigations and troubleshooting to assure root cause is identified, counter measures and recurrence prevention are fully implemented.
- Supporting quality improvement initiatives directly or indirectly with suppliers.
- Providing technical support and analytical analysis for material issues.
- Involvement with data flow diagrams/technical diagrams.
At GAF, We Require:
- Spring - Summer term candidates must be able to work full-time for a minimum of 6-months (January - June 2027). Summer - Fall term candidates must be able to work full-time for a minimum of 6-months (May - December 2027).
- Candidates must be pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.
- All candidates must have a minimum 2.8 GPA, with at least a sophomore standing.
- Problem solving, project management and communication skills are all necessary as is the ability to operate in a team environment. In addition, candidates must have the ability to generate accurate and concise technical reports.
- Candidates should also have computer skills in Google as well as basic knowledge of MS Visio and Auto CAD.
- Each rotation typically culminates with a formal report-out presentation to a group of GAF leaders from multiple functional areas.
GAF complies with federal, state, and local disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact HR Services at 833-HR-XPERT.
Controls Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
- Tesla11
- Olin Corporation3
- Koch Finishing Systems3
- Amentum2
- Dennis2
Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
- Electronics & Hardware
- Banking & Financial Services
- Food & Beverage
Tips for Your Controls Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think you need to
Large manufacturers, utilities, and automation firms recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with some cohorts closing before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check regularly. Starting your search in September gives you the widest pool of structured opportunities.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
Hiring teams for controls engineer interns expect limited work history, so documented projects carry more weight than past jobs. Put together two or three projects showing PLC logic, control system design, MATLAB simulations, or CAD schematics, with the tools named and the work visible, a linked repository or PDF portfolio works well.
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 reaches employers who never visit your campus at all.
Practice your technical screen out loud before you apply
Controls engineer intern interviews commonly include a technical screen covering circuits, control theory, or hands-on problem-solving with tools like MATLAB or a PLC environment. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud as you work through problems, interviewers weigh how you think through a system as much as the final answer.
Target structured rotational and university cohort programs early
Larger industrial and automation companies run formal internship cohorts designed to train people new to controls engineering, cycling interns through different engineering functions. These programs recruit in the fall and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your degree program and apply in the first wave, not after the new year.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 75% of the controls engineer internships listed here, since hands-on plant and lab work doesn't transfer to remote setups. Decide what you can commit to before you start sorting listings, then filter by location and work type so you aren't spending time on roles you can't actually take.
Controls Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a controls engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A portfolio of documented controls or automation projects, even from class, gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for candidates they meet in person.
Can a controls 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 performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and whether you communicate interest in returning before the offer window closes. Position for a return offer without counting on one.
When should I apply for controls engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, including major manufacturers and automation firms, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, sometimes opening applications in August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round and it pays to check back regularly.
Are controls engineer internships paid?
Most professional controls engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Unpaid internships exist mainly in nonprofit or research settings and are less common in industrial and manufacturing environments.
What should a controls engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used, PLC programming environments, SCADA platforms, MATLAB, or CAD software, and link to the work where possible. Add relevant coursework in control systems, circuits, or automation. Keep it to one page.
Are there remote controls engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 25% of the controls 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 controls 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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