Hardware Design Engineer Internships
Hardware design 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 in {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Tesla, Collins Aerospace, and Meta among the employers posting roles now.
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Date Posted:
2026-11-12Country:
United States of AmericaLocation:
US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-130 ~ 5350 C Ave NE ~ BLDG 130Position Role Type:
OnsiteU.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.Security Clearance Type:
None/Not RequiredSecurity Clearance Status:
Not RequiredAre you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.
At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world’s most complex problems. With our three market leading businesses, world-class operations and investments in research and development, we offer capabilities and opportunity no one else can. Together, we push the boundaries of known science and find new ways to connect and protect our world.
Collins Aerospace is a leader in technologically advanced, intelligent solutions that help redefine the aerospace and defense industry. With a comprehensive portfolio and deep technical expertise, we help customers meet the demands of the global market. Join us and help shape the future of aerospace and defense.
What You Will Do:
- As a Digital Hardware Design Engineer Winter/Spring co-op at Collins Aerospace,
- You will design, analyze, simulate and test Circuit Card Assemblies for Avionics Computers (Processors, FPGAs, Memory, high-speed interfaces).
- You will operate lab equipment to perform integration testing on hardware designs.
- You will work on the schematic capture of digital/analog mixed signal electrical circuit designs.
Qualifications You Must Have:
- Must be pursuing Bachelor’s or Advanced degree in Electrical Engineering and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co-op session.
- Must have a minimum of 60 hours of credit by the start of the internship/co-op session
- Familiarity with the development and design of electronic circuit designs, and/or multi-assembly system/unit design.
*Experience may be obtained through on-the-job experience, research, coursework, or projects.*
Qualifications We Prefer:
- Capable of effectively collaborating with team members and independently managing assigned tasks.
- Familiarity with taking design concepts from block diagrams or requirements to developing complete hardware designs, including verification through testing and integration.
- Experience with design tools (schematic capture) and PCB design process to analyze and simulate designs prior to hardware implementation.
- Experience using PCB electronic circuit design software: signal integrity, power integrity and analog simulation.
What We Offer:
- Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.
- Relocation Eligibility
Learn More & Apply Now!
Please consider the following role type definition as you apply for this role.
Onsite: Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products.
As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.
The salary range for this role is 37,000 USD - 82,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, location, education/training, and key skills. Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company’s performance. This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply. RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.RTX is 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, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
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Hardware Design Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring



Tips for Your Hardware Design Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer hardware internships
Large semiconductor manufacturers, aerospace firms, and defense contractors open summer intern applications in August and September, often before most students start looking. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check listings regularly throughout the year rather than waiting until spring.
Build a hardware portfolio before you apply
At the intern level, a documented project history matters more than work experience. Complete two or three end-to-end hardware projects, whether a custom PCB, an FPGA implementation, or an embedded systems design, and store schematics, design files, and test results somewhere a recruiter can review them before your interview.
Use campus fairs and direct applications together
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs that recruit specifically from your university, and professors or your career center often know which companies hire from your school before roles appear publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time, since those roles rarely appear at fairs but are still open to students.
Practice hardware technical screens out loud
Hardware design engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering digital logic, circuit analysis, or HDL fundamentals, often with a whiteboard or take-home design problem. Practice talking through your reasoning as you work, since interviewers weigh how you approach a problem, your assumptions, and your tradeoff decisions as much as the final answer.
Target structured rotational hardware programs early
Major semiconductor and defense companies run cohort-based rotational programs that move interns across hardware teams, such as analog design, verification, and test engineering, within one term. These programs are built to train people new to the field, fill months before their start dates, and are competitive, so identify the ones that fit your background and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 75% of the hardware design engineer internships listed here, since lab and equipment access is part of the work. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting listings, then filter by location and work type so you're only reviewing roles you can actually take.
Hardware Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hardware design engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A portfolio showing completed circuit designs, PCB layouts, or FPGA implementations gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Apply directly through company career pages and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a hardware design 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 is performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and return-offer timing, which varies by employer. Position yourself by delivering on your assigned scope and expressing interest early, without counting on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for hardware design engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, particularly semiconductor companies and defense contractors, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with application windows opening in August and September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you won't miss waves that open and close quickly.
Are hardware design engineer internships paid?
Most professional hardware design engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, so it isn't uniform across the field. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it. Unpaid hardware engineering internships are uncommon at established technology and manufacturing companies.
What should a hardware design engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used, such as Cadence, Altium, or ModelSim, and link to design files, schematics, or a CAD portfolio so reviewers can assess the actual work. Add relevant coursework in digital design, analog circuits, or embedded systems, and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote hardware design engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 25% of the hardware design engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Hardware roles often require lab access, so the remote share shifts as companies adjust their programs. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see those openings first.
What is a rotational hardware engineering internship?
Some large semiconductor and defense companies run structured rotational intern programs that place students across multiple hardware teams, such as analog design, digital logic, and test engineering, within a single summer or co-op term. These programs are designed for people newer to the field, recruit months ahead of the start date, and are competitive, so identify them early and apply in the first wave.
Can international students get hardware design 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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