Controls Technician Internships
Controls technician internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working engineers and technicians, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings cover Manufacturing and Construction & Real Estate, with Trane Technologies and Hoffman & Hoffman among the employers posting roles now.
Find Controls Technician InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 5+ Controls Technician Internships
Looking for more controls technician internships jobs?
Explore related role searches to find more openings that fit.
See related jobsBe a part of our mission! As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient climate solutions for buildings, homes and transportation, it's our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane Technologies, and through our businesses including Trane® and Thermo King, sustainability is not just how we do business—it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what's possible for a sustainable world.
Learn about our benefits designed for you to Thrive at work and at home.
We boldly go.
Where is the work:
Field-based: Work is conducted on-site at customer locations.
What's in it for you:
- Work side by side with controls technicians and project managers to learn the role of controls technician.
- Learn industry standards and requirements for building automation, controls, HVAC, etc.
- Daily responsibilities of commissioning, programming, setting up graphics, communications link, end to end testing, troubleshooting and servicing on assigned projects.
What you will do:.
- Responsible for documenting point to point verification, sequence of operations validation and job close out requirements.
- Represents the company by serving as the direct customer contact and is responsible for servicing products and equipment on assigned projects, ensuring customer satisfaction by identifying, diagnosing and repairing equipment and systems at customer’s location.
- Coordinates with team leader, mentor, and customer to precisely understand requirements for all on-site installation and repairs by forecasting issues, gathering materials and synchronizing on-site work.
- Keeps current on Trane products concerning installation, operation, maintenance, service, and repair of direct digital control systems.
- Continually enforces safety to the highest standards and maintains security and accountability of company issued and procured assets by recording use, wear and conditions.
- Displays team effort and dedication to customer by maintaining flexibility to work overtime and weeks as the business requires, including occasional overnight stays.
What you will bring:
- A High School Diploma or equivalent required. Technical School or formal training is preferred.
- Operating knowledge of Microsoft office software and working proficiency with hand held computer (i.e. Smartphone, iPad).
- Must possess a valid driver’s license for a minimum of 12 months, with no major or frequent traffic violations including, but not limited to:
- DUI, Hit & Run, License Suspension, Reckless / Careless Driving or multiple smaller infractions or preventable collisions in the previous 3 years.
Annual Base Salary Range or Hourly Base Pay Range:
$19.44 - $28.08Compensation Type:
HourlyIncentive Eligible:
NoSales Commission Eligible:
NoDisclaimer: We strive to provide competitive compensation for this position, tailored to a variety of factors. The actual compensation will depend on elements such as seniority, merit, geographic location, education, experience, travel requirements, and union designation. Our compensation range is generally based on the national average for the country. Additionally, benefits may vary depending on the region, business alignment, union involvement, and employee status.
Thrive at work and at home:
- Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives – WE DARE TO CARE!
- Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
- 401K match up to 6%, plus an additional 2% core contribution = up to 8% company contribution.
- Paid time off includes 15 vacation days, 9 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, sick leave, and additional options to support volunteer and parental leave.
- Educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.
Disclaimer: Benefit offerings may vary depending on Collective Bargaining Agreements and local/state regulations.
Safety Sensitive Role:
The company designates certain roles as Safety Sensitive. Safety Sensitive roles may require that you pass additional drug screening.
We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs. We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.
Be a part of our mission! As a world leader in creating comfortable, sustainable, and efficient climate solutions for buildings, homes and transportation, it's our responsibility to put the planet first. For us at Trane Technologies, and through our businesses including Trane® and Thermo King, sustainability is not just how we do business—it is our business. Do you dare to look at the world's challenges and see impactful possibilities? Do you want to contribute to making a better future? If the answer is yes, we invite you to consider joining us in boldly challenging what's possible for a sustainable world.
Learn about our benefits designed for you to Thrive at work and at home.
We boldly go.
Where is the work:
Field-based: Work is conducted on-site at customer locations.
What's in it for you:
- Work side by side with controls technicians and project managers to learn the role of controls technician.
- Learn industry standards and requirements for building automation, controls, HVAC, etc.
- Daily responsibilities of commissioning, programming, setting up graphics, communications link, end to end testing, troubleshooting and servicing on assigned projects.
What you will do:.
- Responsible for documenting point to point verification, sequence of operations validation and job close out requirements.
- Represents the company by serving as the direct customer contact and is responsible for servicing products and equipment on assigned projects, ensuring customer satisfaction by identifying, diagnosing and repairing equipment and systems at customer’s location.
- Coordinates with team leader, mentor, and customer to precisely understand requirements for all on-site installation and repairs by forecasting issues, gathering materials and synchronizing on-site work.
- Keeps current on Trane products concerning installation, operation, maintenance, service, and repair of direct digital control systems.
- Continually enforces safety to the highest standards and maintains security and accountability of company issued and procured assets by recording use, wear and conditions.
- Displays team effort and dedication to customer by maintaining flexibility to work overtime and weeks as the business requires, including occasional overnight stays.
What you will bring:
- A High School Diploma or equivalent required. Technical School or formal training is preferred.
- Operating knowledge of Microsoft office software and working proficiency with hand held computer (i.e. Smartphone, iPad).
- Must possess a valid driver’s license for a minimum of 12 months, with no major or frequent traffic violations including, but not limited to:
- DUI, Hit & Run, License Suspension, Reckless / Careless Driving or multiple smaller infractions or preventable collisions in the previous 3 years.
Annual Base Salary Range or Hourly Base Pay Range:
$19.44 - $28.08Compensation Type:
HourlyIncentive Eligible:
NoSales Commission Eligible:
NoDisclaimer: We strive to provide competitive compensation for this position, tailored to a variety of factors. The actual compensation will depend on elements such as seniority, merit, geographic location, education, experience, travel requirements, and union designation. Our compensation range is generally based on the national average for the country. Additionally, benefits may vary depending on the region, business alignment, union involvement, and employee status.
Thrive at work and at home:
- Benefits kick in on DAY ONE for you and your family, including health insurance and holistic wellness programs that include generous incentives – WE DARE TO CARE!
- Family building benefits include fertility coverage and adoption/surrogacy assistance.
- 401K match up to 6%, plus an additional 2% core contribution = up to 8% company contribution.
- Paid time off includes 15 vacation days, 9 paid holidays, 3 floating holidays, sick leave, and additional options to support volunteer and parental leave.
- Educational and training opportunities through company programs along with tuition assistance and student debt support.
Disclaimer: Benefit offerings may vary depending on Collective Bargaining Agreements and local/state regulations.
Safety Sensitive Role:
The company designates certain roles as Safety Sensitive. Safety Sensitive roles may require that you pass additional drug screening.
We offer competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits and programs. We are an equal opportunity employer; all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, pregnancy, age, marital status, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any legally protected status.
Controls Technician Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Construction & Real Estate
Tips for Your Controls Technician Internship Search
Apply in fall for the following summer
Large industrial companies, utilities, and automation firms open their summer intern recruiting the preceding fall, often filling cohorts by November or December. Smaller employers and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so new roles appear year-round. Check listings every few weeks rather than waiting for a single season.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
At the intern level, projects carry more weight than work history. Document two or three complete builds, PLC programs, control panel wiring diagrams, HMI screens, or automation simulation work, naming the tools and platforms used. A linked portfolio or GitHub repository gives recruiters something concrete to assess before they call you.
Work your campus network and apply directly
Career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster with students they meet in person. Professors and your career center frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens your reach significantly.
Practice your technical screen out loud
Controls technician intern interviews typically include a hands-on or scenario-based technical screen covering ladder logic, control system troubleshooting, or instrumentation fundamentals. Practice answering out loud, walking through your reasoning step by step, interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you arrive at the right answer.
Target structured intern programs at larger employers
Many large manufacturers, utilities, and automation integrators run cohort or rotational intern programs designed specifically for students new to controls work. These programs provide structured mentorship and cross-functional exposure, and they recruit early. Identify the programs that match your degree focus and apply in the first wave, spots fill fast.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the controls technician internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through openings, then filter by location and work type so you're only reviewing roles you can actually take.
Controls Technician Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a controls technician internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. Build a portfolio that gives recruiters something concrete to assess: documented automation projects, PLC ladder logic samples, or wiring diagrams showing tools you've used. Apply directly to employers and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster with students they meet in person.
Can a controls technician internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for controls technician interns is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and whether you clarify return-offer timelines before the internship ends. Position yourself for a return offer by delivering results, but keep applying to full-time roles in parallel rather than counting on it.
When should I apply for controls technician internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large manufacturers, utilities, and automation firms recruit their summer intern cohorts the preceding fall, sometimes as early as September or October. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single application season puts you ahead of most applicants.
Are controls technician internships paid?
Most professional controls technician internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Structured programs at larger industrial or automation companies tend to offer competitive pay, while smaller shops or government co-ops may differ. Check the listing details for each role.
What should a controls technician internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools you used, PLC platforms, HMI software, CAD or electrical design tools, and link to or reference where the work can be reviewed, such as a GitHub repository or a design portfolio. Add relevant coursework, certifications like OSHA 10 or any manufacturer training, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote controls technician internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the controls technician internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts tend to focus on software-side work such as SCADA configuration, documentation, or simulation, and they fill fast. Apply early and filter by work type to see available remote and hybrid openings.
Can international students get controls 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.
See All 5 Controls Technician Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Controls Technician Internships