Electrical Controls Engineer Internships
Electrical 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. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with HDR, RK&K, and Ghafari among the employers posting roles now.
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See related jobsCharter Manufacturing is a fourth-generation family-owned business where our will to grow drives us to do it better. Join the team and become part of our family!
Charter Wire is a leading Tier 1 supplier and manufacturer of Engineered Shaped Wire, Cold Finished Bar, and Cold-Headed and Stamped Components to various industries, including Automotive, Agriculture, Construction, Consumer, Industrial and Oil & Gas. Charter Wire is a member of the Charter Manufacturing family of companies.
About the Electrical Controls Engineer Internship:
Gain hands-on experience in electrical controls troubleshooting, sensors, and automation systems while developing technical skills in AutoCAD Electrical, Ignition (Python, SQL, Java), and Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 and Logix 5000.
Program Structure:
- Schedule: full-time (40 hours/week) during the summer
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Start Date: May 2027
- Duration: Summer internship
What we're looking for:
- Enrollment in a four-year degree program in Electrical Engineering, Controls Systems Engineering or a related field with current status of at least a Sophomore level.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office software: Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
- Ability to succeed in a team environment.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks.
Preferred experience:
- Training in PLC languages.
- Experience with AutoCAD, Microsoft SQL, Wonderware InTouch.
What you'll focus on:
- Troubleshoot electrical controls, sensors, and automation systems on the production floor.
- Support real-time data deployment using Ignition, Python, SQL, and Java.
- Update electrical drawings and wiring diagrams using AutoCAD Electrical.
- Troubleshoot and improve control systems using Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 and Logix 5000.
What Sets Our Internship Program Apart: Work on meaningful projects while receiving mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities that help launch your career. Our paid internship program also includes signature experiences like Charter's Intern Kickoff Day, volunteer opportunities, professional development workshops, and the Intern Summer Showcase.
#LI-AF1
#LI-Onsite
#CharterWire
Internship positions are not benefits-eligible.Charter Manufacturing is a fourth-generation family-owned business where our will to grow drives us to do it better. Join the team and become part of our family!
Charter Wire is a leading Tier 1 supplier and manufacturer of Engineered Shaped Wire, Cold Finished Bar, and Cold-Headed and Stamped Components to various industries, including Automotive, Agriculture, Construction, Consumer, Industrial and Oil & Gas. Charter Wire is a member of the Charter Manufacturing family of companies.
About the Electrical Controls Engineer Internship:
Gain hands-on experience in electrical controls troubleshooting, sensors, and automation systems while developing technical skills in AutoCAD Electrical, Ignition (Python, SQL, Java), and Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 and Logix 5000.
Program Structure:
- Schedule: full-time (40 hours/week) during the summer
- Location: Milwaukee, WI
- Start Date: May 2027
- Duration: Summer internship
What we're looking for:
- Enrollment in a four-year degree program in Electrical Engineering, Controls Systems Engineering or a related field with current status of at least a Sophomore level.
- Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office software: Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong interpersonal and relationship building skills.
- Ability to succeed in a team environment.
- Ability to handle multiple tasks.
Preferred experience:
- Training in PLC languages.
- Experience with AutoCAD, Microsoft SQL, Wonderware InTouch.
What you'll focus on:
- Troubleshoot electrical controls, sensors, and automation systems on the production floor.
- Support real-time data deployment using Ignition, Python, SQL, and Java.
- Update electrical drawings and wiring diagrams using AutoCAD Electrical.
- Troubleshoot and improve control systems using Allen-Bradley Studio 5000 and Logix 5000.
What Sets Our Internship Program Apart: Work on meaningful projects while receiving mentorship, professional development, and networking opportunities that help launch your career. Our paid internship program also includes signature experiences like Charter's Intern Kickoff Day, volunteer opportunities, professional development workshops, and the Intern Summer Showcase.
#LI-AF1
#LI-Onsite
#CharterWire
Internship positions are not benefits-eligible.Electrical Controls Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Electrical Controls Engineer Internship Search
Apply months before your target start date
Large manufacturers and industrial automation companies open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall and close cohorts well before the new year. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check listings regularly throughout the year and submit applications as soon as a role goes live.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
Hiring teams for electrical controls engineer interns expect limited work history and look for evidence instead. Document two or three projects with the tools you used, such as PLC programming environments, ladder logic designs, HMI configurations, or CAD schematics, and make them viewable in a linked portfolio or GitHub repository before you apply.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Professors and career center staff frequently know which industrial employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Electrical controls engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering circuit analysis, control system concepts, or PLC fundamentals, sometimes paired with a hands-on design problem. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud as you work through problems, since interviewers weigh how you think through a controls challenge as much as the final answer.
Electrical Controls Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an electrical controls engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A documented portfolio showing PLC ladder logic, control system designs, or CAD schematics gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where electrical controls engineer recruiters often make faster decisions for students they meet in person.
Can an electrical 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 for electrical controls engineer interns is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and acting on the return-offer conversation before it closes. Position yourself for one by delivering on your assigned scope, but keep applying to other roles so you are not counting on it.
When should I apply for electrical controls engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large manufacturers and automation companies recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often wrapping up offers before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role goes live gives you the best chance at competitive cohorts.
Are electrical controls engineer internships paid?
Most professional electrical controls engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show pay where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon in engineering disciplines, particularly at companies running structured intern programs tied to technical project work.
What should an electrical controls engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools you used, such as PLCs, HMI software, or CAD platforms, and link to design portfolios, schematics, or lab reports where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework in controls, instrumentation, or automation systems. Keep the whole document to one page.
Can international students get electrical 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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