Electrical and Automation Engineer Internships
Electrical and 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 in {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Burns & McDonnell, Garmin, and FormFactor among the employers posting roles now.
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The devices we make at SEL are embedded in the power grid. They prevent blackouts. They make outages safer and shorter in duration; they add cybersecurity, automation, and communication. They use cutting-edge technologies and operate at speeds that push other pieces of the grid to go faster. As an Electrical Engineering Intern in Engineering Services, you’ll provide solutions and services that help our customers protect and control critical electrical infrastructure and power systems worldwide.
As an Electrical Engineering Intern, a typical day might include the following:
- Providing technical support to SEL staff & customers.
- Developing and maintaining knowledge in SEL processes and technologies.
- Performing testing on new and existing technology.
- Document and communicate test results.
- Follow and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
- Understand. Create. Simplify.
- Other duties as assigned.
This position might be for you if you:
- Are able to work on-site in Boise, ID full-time in the summer & part-time during the school year.
- Experience in programming and script files
- Practical knowledge of 3-phase power systems
- Have working knowledge of emulators and logic analyzers
- Are able to use MS Windows and serial port terminal emulation software
- Practical knowledge of SEL protective relays & automation controllers
- Ability to use Microsoft Visio
- Have strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills
- Are able to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities
- Are able to work cooperatively in a team environment
- Have background check results satisfactory to SEL & negative drug test result(s)
About Our Team
The Engineering Services team partners with utilities, industrial customers, and internal teams to deliver protection, automation, and control solutions. The team supports projects from initial studies through design, implementation, testing, and commissioning. Engineers collaborate closely to solve complex challenges and ensure successful project delivery.
About Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
SEL designs, manufactures, and supports products and systems that protect, monitor, control, and automate electric power systems. Our technologies help detect faults, prevent equipment damage, and reduce the impact of power outages.
Our mission is to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. Employees contribute to practical, high-quality solutions used every day, where attention to detail and quality directly support the reliability of the electric grid.
Location Information
This position is located in Boise, ID, capital of the gem state, and on the Boise River in the southwestern part of the state. You will enjoy local restaurants in a vibrant downtown full of small businesses, easy access to mountain foothills and 190 miles of trails. The city is also home to great schools and universities including Boise State University. Boise has been ranked as one of America's fastest growing cities, making it a great place to live and work.
Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support our interns.
School matters. SEL managers work with their interns to arrange flexible schedules that accommodate classes and studying while working part-time during the school year.
We challenge and rely on our interns to contribute high-quality work that adds value to our company and gives you an advantage with real-world experiences when seeking jobs after graduation.
We aim to bring great talent to SEL and although not guaranteed, interns are frequently hired for full-time roles upon graduation.
Ask our team about other intern benefits including wellness resources, community connection, and kickstarting retirement savings.
Pay Range Data - $24.25 - $33.00 per hour
Our intern pay is determined based on the internship role (the work you would be doing) and your year in school (when you plan to graduate). Talk to your recruiter if you are curious about the rate for your year in school.
Communication with Applicants
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
The devices we make at SEL are embedded in the power grid. They prevent blackouts. They make outages safer and shorter in duration; they add cybersecurity, automation, and communication. They use cutting-edge technologies and operate at speeds that push other pieces of the grid to go faster. As an Electrical Engineering Intern in Engineering Services, you’ll provide solutions and services that help our customers protect and control critical electrical infrastructure and power systems worldwide.
As an Electrical Engineering Intern, a typical day might include the following:
- Providing technical support to SEL staff & customers.
- Developing and maintaining knowledge in SEL processes and technologies.
- Performing testing on new and existing technology.
- Document and communicate test results.
- Follow and apply SEL Values, Principles of Operations, and World Class Manufacturing Principles.
- Understand. Create. Simplify.
- Other duties as assigned.
This position might be for you if you:
- Are able to work on-site in Boise, ID full-time in the summer & part-time during the school year.
- Experience in programming and script files
- Practical knowledge of 3-phase power systems
- Have working knowledge of emulators and logic analyzers
- Are able to use MS Windows and serial port terminal emulation software
- Practical knowledge of SEL protective relays & automation controllers
- Ability to use Microsoft Visio
- Have strong writing, documentation, and speaking skills
- Are able to learn new skills and assume new responsibilities
- Are able to work cooperatively in a team environment
- Have background check results satisfactory to SEL & negative drug test result(s)
About Our Team
The Engineering Services team partners with utilities, industrial customers, and internal teams to deliver protection, automation, and control solutions. The team supports projects from initial studies through design, implementation, testing, and commissioning. Engineers collaborate closely to solve complex challenges and ensure successful project delivery.
About Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories
SEL designs, manufactures, and supports products and systems that protect, monitor, control, and automate electric power systems. Our technologies help detect faults, prevent equipment damage, and reduce the impact of power outages.
Our mission is to make electric power safer, more reliable, and more economical. Employees contribute to practical, high-quality solutions used every day, where attention to detail and quality directly support the reliability of the electric grid.
Location Information
This position is located in Boise, ID, capital of the gem state, and on the Boise River in the southwestern part of the state. You will enjoy local restaurants in a vibrant downtown full of small businesses, easy access to mountain foothills and 190 miles of trails. The city is also home to great schools and universities including Boise State University. Boise has been ranked as one of America's fastest growing cities, making it a great place to live and work.
Competitive pay. Superior benefits. Inspiring work.
People are at the core of our company and we hire employee-owners. We welcome you to learn more about how we support our interns.
School matters. SEL managers work with their interns to arrange flexible schedules that accommodate classes and studying while working part-time during the school year.
We challenge and rely on our interns to contribute high-quality work that adds value to our company and gives you an advantage with real-world experiences when seeking jobs after graduation.
We aim to bring great talent to SEL and although not guaranteed, interns are frequently hired for full-time roles upon graduation.
Ask our team about other intern benefits including wellness resources, community connection, and kickstarting retirement savings.
Pay Range Data - $24.25 - $33.00 per hour
Our intern pay is determined based on the internship role (the work you would be doing) and your year in school (when you plan to graduate). Talk to your recruiter if you are curious about the rate for your year in school.
Communication with Applicants
We communicate with all applicants. If you do not receive a response about your application, please check your SPAM filter or reach out to us at careers@selinc.com.
SEL is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Vets/Disabled.
Electrical and Automation Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Electrical and Automation Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large employers recruit summer electrical and automation engineer interns the preceding fall, with structured cohorts often closing by November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings as soon as a new semester begins and apply immediately when a role fits.
Build a portfolio before you need one
Hiring teams for electrical and automation engineer intern roles expect limited work history, so your CAD files, circuit designs, PLC programs, and automation scripts are your proof. Document two or three complete projects with the tools used, the problem solved, and where to view the output, then link directly from your resume.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors and 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 a fair.
Practice your technical screen out loud before you apply
Electrical and automation engineer intern screens typically involve circuit analysis problems, controls questions, or design challenges where interviewers weigh how you reason as much as the final answer. Practice explaining your thinking aloud on past homework problems or practice design scenarios so talking through your approach becomes natural under pressure.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Many large engineering employers run rotational or cohort-based intern programs built to train people new to electrical and automation work. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often come with more mentorship than standalone intern roles. Identify the programs that match your interests and get your application in during the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 50% of the electrical and automation engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you start sorting, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you spend your time on roles you can actually take rather than sorting through listings that don't fit.
Electrical and Automation Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an electrical and automation engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For electrical and automation engineer candidates, a CAD portfolio, circuit design samples, or documented automation projects give recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an electrical and automation engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For electrical and automation engineer interns, what actually drives it is performance on real project deliverables, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position for a return offer by owning your assignments fully, without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for electrical and automation engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit summer electrical and 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. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role opens gives you the strongest shot at structured cohort programs.
Are electrical and automation engineer internships paid?
Most professional electrical and automation engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid internships exist but are uncommon at established engineering employers, and many states have legal requirements around intern compensation that companies factor into their offers.
What should an electrical and automation engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools, software, and hardware you used, and link to CAD files, circuit schematics, automation scripts, or design portfolios wherever the work is visible. Add relevant coursework in controls, circuits, or PLCs, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote electrical and automation engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 50% of the electrical and automation engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see those openings before they close.
Can international students get electrical and 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.
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