Engineering Intern Jobs in Virginia
Engineering Intern jobs in Virginia are consistently active, concentrated in defense contracting, aerospace, civil infrastructure, and cybersecurity, with openings at every stage from first-year undergraduates to students finishing advanced degrees. The largest hiring metros are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and Hampton Roads, where established employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and the Army Corps of Engineers maintain substantial intern programs. The most in-demand specialties right now are systems engineering, electrical engineering, and civil and environmental engineering tied to Virginia's extensive federal and infrastructure projects. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
As a Systems Engineering Intern based at Rocket Lab's site in Chantilly, Virginia, you will have the opportunity to support subsystem/system development testing and verification. This Systems Engineering team helps develop and execute to the technical baseline across all programs.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO
As an intern, you will work closely with your mentor and other employees within the department to apply your knowledge and grow your skills both technically and professionally
Work with a fast-paced group of professionals to apply engineering and industry concepts to solve real challenges
Attend frequent 1:1's with mentors and supervisors to facilitate success and learning while providing progress updates
Enjoy tech talks and network with other interns and employees through social and professional events
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS
Ideal candidates will thrive in ambiguity and are excited to work in small, high-performing teams that are focused on continued learning and growth. Success in this position will be measured by the knowledge and experience you bring to the role, your ability to lead development projects without supervision, and your ability to successfully collaborate across teams to deliver results.
Must be enrolled in a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree program in an engineering, physics or math discipline and have at least one semester of school remaining post internship
GPA of 3.0 or above
3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable)
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE
GPA of 3.5 or above
6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable)
Familiarity with optics
Solidworks experience
Cameo experience
JAMA experience
Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Able to work full-time, on-site for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning May or June 2027
COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS
- Pay Rate: $25.00 USD Hourly
-
You may be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs
WHAT TO EXPECT
We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
ABOUT ROCKET LAB
Rocket Lab is the end-to-end space company building rockets, spacecraft, and critical subsystems that keep the world connected, protected, expand humanity's reach to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. We move fast, build real hardware for meaningful missions, and make the impossible routine. Come shape the future with us.
As a Systems Engineering Intern based at Rocket Lab's site in Chantilly, Virginia, you will have the opportunity to support subsystem/system development testing and verification. This Systems Engineering team helps develop and execute to the technical baseline across all programs.
WHAT YOU'LL GET TO DO
As an intern, you will work closely with your mentor and other employees within the department to apply your knowledge and grow your skills both technically and professionally
Work with a fast-paced group of professionals to apply engineering and industry concepts to solve real challenges
Attend frequent 1:1's with mentors and supervisors to facilitate success and learning while providing progress updates
Enjoy tech talks and network with other interns and employees through social and professional events
YOU'LL BRING THESE QUALIFICATIONS
Ideal candidates will thrive in ambiguity and are excited to work in small, high-performing teams that are focused on continued learning and growth. Success in this position will be measured by the knowledge and experience you bring to the role, your ability to lead development projects without supervision, and your ability to successfully collaborate across teams to deliver results.
Must be enrolled in a bachelor's, master's or doctorate degree program in an engineering, physics or math discipline and have at least one semester of school remaining post internship
GPA of 3.0 or above
3+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable)
THESE QUALIFICATIONS WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE
GPA of 3.5 or above
6+ months of applied engineering experience (internship, laboratory, and personal/team project experience is applicable)
Familiarity with optics
Solidworks experience
Cameo experience
JAMA experience
Proficient with Microsoft Office (Excel)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Able to work full-time, on-site for a minimum of 12 consecutive weeks beginning May or June 2027
COMPENSATION AND OTHER BENEFITS
- Pay Rate: $25.00 USD Hourly
-
You may be eligible for a stipend to subsidize relocation costs
WHAT TO EXPECT
We're on a mission to unlock the potential of space to improve life on Earth, but that's not an easy task. It takes hard work, determination, relentless innovation, teamwork, grit, and an unwavering commitment to achieving what others often deem impossible. Our people out-think, out-work, and out-pace. We pride ourselves on having each other's backs, checking our egos at the door, and rolling up our sleeves on all tasks big and small. We thrive under pressure, work to tight deadlines, and our focus is always on how we can deliver, rather than dwelling on the challenges that stand in the way.
Important information:
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN US OFFICES ONLY:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), Rocket Lab Employees must be a U.S. citizen, lawful U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State and/or the U.S. Department of Commerce, as applicable. Learn more about ITAR here.
Rocket Lab provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment at Rocket Lab, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for the application/interview process for a job in the United States should contact Giulia Johnson at g.biow@rocketlabusa.com.This dedicated resource is intended solely to assist job seekers with disabilities whose disability prevents them from being able to apply/interview. Only messages left for this purpose will be considered. A response to your request may take up to two business days.
FOR CANDIDATES SEEKING TO WORK IN NEW ZEALAND OFFICES ONLY:
For security reasons, background checks will be undertaken prior to any employment offers being made to an applicant. These checks will include nationality checks as it is a requirement of this position that you be eligible to access equipment and data regulated by the United States' International Traffic in Arms Regulations.
Under these Regulations, you may be ineligible for this role if you do not hold citizenship of Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, the European Union, or a country that is part of NATO, or if you hold ineligible dual citizenship or nationality. For more information on these Regulations, click here ITAR Regulations.
See All 141+ Engineering Intern Jobs in Virginia
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Find Engineering Intern JobsEngineering Intern Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Engineering Intern Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Dewberry12
- Burns & McDonnell10
- HDR8
- Framatome North America8
- Virginia Department of Transportation7
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Government & Public Sector
- Construction & Real Estate
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in engineering intern jobs across Virginia.
- Current enrollment in an ABET-accredited engineering degree program at a Virginia or regional university
- Coursework completed in core engineering fundamentals such as thermodynamics, circuits, or mechanics
- Proficiency with engineering software relevant to the discipline, such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, or SolidWorks
- Ability to obtain or hold a U.S. security clearance, required by many Northern Virginia defense contractors
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for technical documentation and team collaboration
- Demonstrated experience with engineering projects through coursework, labs, or prior internship programs
Engineering Intern Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a engineering intern in Virginia?
Most engineering intern roles in Virginia require current enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or graduate engineering program, with relevant coursework completed in your discipline. Virginia Tech, University of Virginia, George Mason University, and Virginia Commonwealth University are among the institutions whose students regularly enter Virginia's intern market. For disciplines like civil engineering where professional licensure matters, familiarity with Virginia's Professional Engineer path through the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation strengthens your candidacy even as a student.
Which companies hire engineering interns in Virginia?
Companies currently hiring engineering interns in Virginia include Dewberry, Burns & McDonnell, and HDR, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Virginia's heavy concentration of federal contractors and government agencies in Northern Virginia and Hampton Roads means many of the largest programs are tied to defense, intelligence, and civil infrastructure work.
Which Virginia cities have the most engineering intern jobs?
The Virginia cities with the most engineering intern openings are Roanoke, Richmond, and Lynchburg. Northern Virginia dominates because of its dense cluster of defense contractors and federal agencies, Hampton Roads draws heavily from naval and aerospace operations centered around Naval Station Norfolk and Langley Air Force Base, and Richmond serves as a hub for civil, environmental, and utility engineering tied to the region's infrastructure and energy sectors.
Are there remote engineering intern jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. About 59% of engineering intern openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the hands-on and lab-based nature of most engineering intern work. The sub-disciplines most likely to offer remote or hybrid flexibility are software-adjacent roles, data analysis, and systems engineering work that does not require physical lab access or classified facilities.
How can I get hired as a engineering intern in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic path is applying directly through university co-op and intern programs, since large Virginia employers like Northrop Grumman, Leidos, and the Army Corps of Engineers run structured early-career programs specifically designed for students with no prior work history. Completing relevant coursework, building a portfolio of class projects, and obtaining any discipline-specific certifications available to students, such as SOLIDWORKS Associate credentials for mechanical engineers, meaningfully strengthen applications. Adjacent roles like engineering technician or research assistant at Virginia universities also serve as practical entry points.
Where can I find and apply to engineering intern jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to engineering intern jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across disciplines and metro areas. Search the listings for roles that fit your discipline, year of study, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that match your background.
See All 141+ Engineering Intern Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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