Engineering Program Manager Internships
Engineering program manager internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working program managers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Manufacturing, Energy, and Technology & Software, with Tesla, Caterpillar, and Generac Power Systems among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 9+ Engineering Program Manager Internships
Career Area:
Students and GraduatesJob Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
About the Role
This pipeline posting is currently limited to candidates who have completed a Caterpillar Students & Graduates assignment (e.g., internship, co-op, student trainee) within the previous 24 months.
Caterpillar's Corporate Engineering Intern program seeks students currently enrolled in a four-year university to work alongside engineering professionals to learn and apply themselves to project work within their teams.
Interns will have assignments that provide them with experience and significant learning opportunities. In addition to this work, Interns can network with management throughout the company to learn about Caterpillar areas outside their assigned team.
Students can deepen their business skills in their assignments through team and business partner interactions, develop their skills, conduct presentations, and measure their success through the performance and evaluation process.
What You Will Do
You’ll join a team with diverse project responsibilities and have valuable networking opportunities with all levels of Caterpillar employees. The internship is a 40-hour-per-week assignment lasting 12 weeks. You can focus on building technical abilities in roles including (but not limited to):
Ferrous Metallurgy: Deepen your understanding of wrought steels and ferrous castings through hands-on assignments in the foundry, traveling to our extensive supply base, or using advanced equipment in a lab setting
Failure Analysis: Tackle urgent issues impacting our customers by developing your metallography, fractography, and microscopy skills under the guidance and mentoring of veteran experts
Quality Engineering: Work in a Caterpillar factory environment where you will learn to apply materials engineering inspection methods and problem-solving techniques to deliver our products to customers at the quality levels they expect
Heat Treat Engineering: Gain hands-on experience with heat treat production operations, including recipe development, quality control, efficiency improvements, and capital projects
Product Development: Provide materials engineering support to design engineers developing our next generation of products while you develop a broader knowledge of Caterpillar’s applications and markets
What You Have – Skills and Experiences
In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute your unique skills and experiences. Below are some of the most critical skills.
Analytical skills, initiating ideas, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking capabilities
Knowledge of engineering principles, theory, and engineering experience gained through projects, internships, and/or relevant work experience
Fundamental understanding of engineering for a manufacturing environment, ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention
Organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ability to quickly gain and effectively apply new skills & knowledge
Success in collaborating with others of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, and abilities
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Participate in, and build on our inclusive, constructive, and productive work environment
Ensure all team members’ contributions are recognized and valued
Internship Program Qualifications
Must be enrolled full-time in a 4-year university/college pursuing an ABET accredited degree in a Materials Engineering discipline (e.g. Metallurgical Eng, Ceramic Eng, Materials Science, etc.) at the time of application and throughout the program
A Mechanical Engineering degree with a minor in Materials Engineering may be considered
Must have completed at least 24 semester hours from current institution before the start of the internship. If a transfer student, must have 12 semester hours completed at a 4-year university
Must have a minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average (no rounding) at time of application from current institution*
- Current 1st year/1st semester students at current institution may utilize high school, college/community college, or trade school transcripts to meet a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average at time of graduation
Must maintain 3.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average (no rounding) prior to start of internship
Must be able to relocate to Peoria, IL area or an indicated work location for the duration of the internship and complete daily work commute using reliable transportation
Top Candidates May Also Have
Previous technical internship, co-op, or research/relevant experience
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Additional Information
This pipeline posting is currently limited to candidates who have completed a Caterpillar Students & Graduates assignment (e.g., internship, co-op, student trainee) within the previous 24 months
Must attach your resume and an unofficial copy of your transcript to your application
Applicants will be considered for positions throughout the United States
Most positions are based in Mossville, Illinois, with limited availability in other United States’ locations
Sponsorship is NOT available for this position
This position requires working onsite five days a week
Why Choose Caterpillar?
We’re a values-driven company where you’ll feel your work matters—whether you’re optimizing machine performance, writing embedded code, or designing the next innovation in clean energy. You’ll gain access to top-tier mentorship, technical resources, and real ownership of your work from day one.
Final Details
Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social media.
Summary Pay Range:
$25.00 - $43.00Intern Hourly Rate:
An intern's hourly rate is based on the major/degree being pursued and the number of completed academic hours achieved before the start of the internship.
Intern Benefits:
The total rewards package, beyond base salary, may include if eligible:
Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Holidays
Paid Volunteer Day
Housing Stipend
Relocation Assistance
Medical coverage
Voluntary benefits
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
July 1, 2026 - August 20, 2026Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
Career Area:
Students and GraduatesJob Description:
Your Work Shapes the World at Caterpillar Inc.
When you join Caterpillar, you're joining a global team who cares not just about the work we do – but also about each other. We are the makers, problem solvers, and future world builders who are creating stronger, more sustainable communities. We don't just talk about progress and innovation here – we make it happen, with our customers, where we work and live. Together, we are building a better world, so we can all enjoy living in it.
About the Role
This pipeline posting is currently limited to candidates who have completed a Caterpillar Students & Graduates assignment (e.g., internship, co-op, student trainee) within the previous 24 months.
Caterpillar's Corporate Engineering Intern program seeks students currently enrolled in a four-year university to work alongside engineering professionals to learn and apply themselves to project work within their teams.
Interns will have assignments that provide them with experience and significant learning opportunities. In addition to this work, Interns can network with management throughout the company to learn about Caterpillar areas outside their assigned team.
Students can deepen their business skills in their assignments through team and business partner interactions, develop their skills, conduct presentations, and measure their success through the performance and evaluation process.
What You Will Do
You’ll join a team with diverse project responsibilities and have valuable networking opportunities with all levels of Caterpillar employees. The internship is a 40-hour-per-week assignment lasting 12 weeks. You can focus on building technical abilities in roles including (but not limited to):
Ferrous Metallurgy: Deepen your understanding of wrought steels and ferrous castings through hands-on assignments in the foundry, traveling to our extensive supply base, or using advanced equipment in a lab setting
Failure Analysis: Tackle urgent issues impacting our customers by developing your metallography, fractography, and microscopy skills under the guidance and mentoring of veteran experts
Quality Engineering: Work in a Caterpillar factory environment where you will learn to apply materials engineering inspection methods and problem-solving techniques to deliver our products to customers at the quality levels they expect
Heat Treat Engineering: Gain hands-on experience with heat treat production operations, including recipe development, quality control, efficiency improvements, and capital projects
Product Development: Provide materials engineering support to design engineers developing our next generation of products while you develop a broader knowledge of Caterpillar’s applications and markets
What You Have – Skills and Experiences
In this role, you will have the opportunity to contribute your unique skills and experiences. Below are some of the most critical skills.
Analytical skills, initiating ideas, troubleshooting, root cause analysis, problem-solving, and critical thinking capabilities
Knowledge of engineering principles, theory, and engineering experience gained through projects, internships, and/or relevant work experience
Fundamental understanding of engineering for a manufacturing environment, ability to design and implement materials, structures, machines, devices, systems, and processes that safely realize a desired objective or invention
Organize and manage multiple projects simultaneously, ability to quickly gain and effectively apply new skills & knowledge
Success in collaborating with others of diverse cultures, interpersonal styles, and abilities
Strong written and verbal communication skills
Participate in, and build on our inclusive, constructive, and productive work environment
Ensure all team members’ contributions are recognized and valued
Internship Program Qualifications
Must be enrolled full-time in a 4-year university/college pursuing an ABET accredited degree in a Materials Engineering discipline (e.g. Metallurgical Eng, Ceramic Eng, Materials Science, etc.) at the time of application and throughout the program
A Mechanical Engineering degree with a minor in Materials Engineering may be considered
Must have completed at least 24 semester hours from current institution before the start of the internship. If a transfer student, must have 12 semester hours completed at a 4-year university
Must have a minimum 3.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average (no rounding) at time of application from current institution*
- Current 1st year/1st semester students at current institution may utilize high school, college/community college, or trade school transcripts to meet a minimum 3.0 cumulative grade point average at time of graduation
Must maintain 3.0/4.0 cumulative grade point average (no rounding) prior to start of internship
Must be able to relocate to Peoria, IL area or an indicated work location for the duration of the internship and complete daily work commute using reliable transportation
Top Candidates May Also Have
Previous technical internship, co-op, or research/relevant experience
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Additional Information
This pipeline posting is currently limited to candidates who have completed a Caterpillar Students & Graduates assignment (e.g., internship, co-op, student trainee) within the previous 24 months
Must attach your resume and an unofficial copy of your transcript to your application
Applicants will be considered for positions throughout the United States
Most positions are based in Mossville, Illinois, with limited availability in other United States’ locations
Sponsorship is NOT available for this position
This position requires working onsite five days a week
Why Choose Caterpillar?
We’re a values-driven company where you’ll feel your work matters—whether you’re optimizing machine performance, writing embedded code, or designing the next innovation in clean energy. You’ll gain access to top-tier mentorship, technical resources, and real ownership of your work from day one.
Final Details
Please frequently check the email associated with your application, including the junk/spam folder, as this is the primary correspondence method. If you wish to know the status of your application – please use the candidate log-in on our career website as it will reflect any updates to your status.
For more information, visit caterpillar.com. To connect with us on social media, visit caterpillar.com/social media.
Summary Pay Range:
$25.00 - $43.00Intern Hourly Rate:
An intern's hourly rate is based on the major/degree being pursued and the number of completed academic hours achieved before the start of the internship.
Intern Benefits:
The total rewards package, beyond base salary, may include if eligible:
Accrued Paid Time Off (PTO)
Paid Holidays
Paid Volunteer Day
Housing Stipend
Relocation Assistance
Medical coverage
Voluntary benefits
Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.
Posting Dates:
July 1, 2026 - August 20, 2026Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen.
Caterpillar is an Equal Opportunity Employer, Including Veterans and Individuals with Disabilities. Qualified applicants of any age are encouraged to apply.
Not ready to apply? Join our Talent Community.
Engineering Program Manager Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Energy
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your Engineering Program Manager Internship Search
Apply before fall semester ends for summer roles
Large employers with structured cohort programs open summer engineering program manager internship applications in August or September of the preceding year. If you wait until spring, those roles are already filled. Smaller companies and co-ops post closer to start dates, so searching regularly throughout the year catches both cycles.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
Hiring teams for engineering program manager interns cannot rely on work history, so they assess what you document. Create two or three projects that show you can scope a problem, coordinate across stakeholders, and track delivery. Include a one-page project summary, a timeline or roadmap artifact, and any process documentation you produced.
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 widens the pool you reach and captures roles that never appear at fairs.
Practice your interview format out loud before applying
Engineering program manager intern screens typically combine a behavioral conversation with a systems or process-design question, where you scope a project, identify dependencies, and manage tradeoffs under constraints. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud, not just arriving at an answer, since interviewers weigh how you think as much as the conclusion you reach.
Target structured rotational and APM programs early
Many larger technology and engineering companies run cohort or associate program manager pipelines built specifically to train people new to the field. These programs recruit in the fall, fill fast, and offer more mentorship than ad-hoc internship placements. Identify the ones that match your background and submit in the first application wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 100% of the engineering program manager internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you start applying, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you spend time on roles you can actually take rather than sorting through the full pool.
Engineering Program Manager Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an engineering program manager internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. Build a portfolio that documents two or three end-to-end projects, the tools and methodologies you used, and what you delivered. Apply directly to companies and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an engineering program manager 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 consistent performance on real deliverables, your team's open headcount at the end of the internship, and how early you signal interest in returning. Treat every project as a live audition without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for engineering program manager internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers, especially those running structured cohort programs, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings frequently and applying as soon as a role posts keeps you in the first review wave.
Are engineering program manager internships paid?
Most professional engineering program manager internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show what the employer discloses. Stipend-only or unpaid arrangements exist at some nonprofits and startups, so check the listing details before applying.
What should an engineering program manager internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that show cross-functional coordination, scope management, or process improvement, with the tools used and links to any artifacts you can share publicly, such as case studies or process documentation. Add relevant coursework in project management, systems engineering, or operations, and keep the whole resume to one page.
Are there remote engineering program manager internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the engineering program manager internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants nationally, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is an associate program manager (APM) internship?
An APM internship is a structured, cohort-based program at larger technology and engineering companies designed specifically to develop people new to program or product management. APM programs recruit aggressively from campus pipelines, run competitive selection processes, and typically offer strong mentorship and project ownership. They fill in the fall for the following summer, so identify the ones that fit your background and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get engineering program manager 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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