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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Overview

Open roles12
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerTesla
Top cityPalo Alto, CA
Work type75% On-site
Companies hiring8

Showing 5 of 12+ Hardware Design Engineer Internships

Digital Hardware Design Engineer Co-op (Winter/Spring)(Onsite)
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New 15h ago
Digital Hardware Design Engineer Co-op (Winter/Spring)(Onsite)
Collins Aerospace
Cedar Rapids, Iowa
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
$37k - $82k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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Research Intern — Neural Network Training and Hardware–Software Co-Design
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Added 2d ago
Research Intern — Neural Network Training and Hardware–Software Co-Design
Meta
Redmond, Washington
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$7,313 - $13k/yr
10,000+

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Internship, SI Chip Thermal Design Engineer, SI Hardware (Winter/Spring 2027)
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Added 3w ago
Internship, SI Chip Thermal Design Engineer, SI Hardware (Winter/Spring 2027)
Tesla
Palo Alto, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
$20 - $65/hr
10,000+

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Hardware and Software Design Intern
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Added 1mo ago
Hardware and Software Design Intern
STMicroelectronics
Santa Clara, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$32 - $43/hr
Hybrid
10,000+

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Internship, SI Hardware RTL Design Engineer, SI Hardware (Winter/Spring 2027)
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Added 1mo ago
Internship, SI Hardware RTL Design Engineer, SI Hardware (Winter/Spring 2027)
Tesla
Palo Alto, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$20 - $65/hr
10,000+

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Hardware Design Engineer Internship Market

Who's Hiring

Tesla4 open roles
Collins Aerospace2 open roles
Meta1 open role

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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