Hardware Engineer Internships
Hardware engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience building real circuits and systems, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Technology & Software, Retail, and E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces, with Tesla, Amazon, and Verkada among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 15+ Hardware Engineer Internships
Our 10-week internship is your chance to experience life as a Hardware Engineer at IMC. You’ll have the support you need to succeed: educational training and a mentor who will oversee your work and professional development. We provide a highly competitive compensation package with accommodations included. The bar for talent at IMC is high and interns who meet our performance expectations will have the opportunity to secure a full time Graduate Hardware Engineer position at the end of the program. Where you go from here is up to you!
- Enhance your knowledge of algorithm complexity, professional design, and coding
- Work on meaningful and challenging projects
- Patricipate in classroom-based training covering an overview of financial markets, IMC technology and hardware design
- Build valuable connections in an environment that recognizes and rewards problem solving, innovation and teamwork
- Engage in professional development sessions aimed at helping you envision your future at IMC
- Attend a full schedule of events and social activities throughout the summer
- Current university student graduating between September 2027 - July 2028 that is pursuing an Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related degree
- Must have proficient experience in Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL or other RTL programming (additional software experience is a plus; C++, Python, or similar)
- Strong analytical skills and interest in solving complex problems programmatically
- Desire to collaborate with technical and non-technical teammates in a dynamic environment
- Interest in the Financial Markets; previous knowledge is NOT required
- Must be able to start internship on June 7, 2027
Our 10-week internship is your chance to experience life as a Hardware Engineer at IMC. You’ll have the support you need to succeed: educational training and a mentor who will oversee your work and professional development. We provide a highly competitive compensation package with accommodations included. The bar for talent at IMC is high and interns who meet our performance expectations will have the opportunity to secure a full time Graduate Hardware Engineer position at the end of the program. Where you go from here is up to you!
- Enhance your knowledge of algorithm complexity, professional design, and coding
- Work on meaningful and challenging projects
- Patricipate in classroom-based training covering an overview of financial markets, IMC technology and hardware design
- Build valuable connections in an environment that recognizes and rewards problem solving, innovation and teamwork
- Engage in professional development sessions aimed at helping you envision your future at IMC
- Attend a full schedule of events and social activities throughout the summer
- Current university student graduating between September 2027 - July 2028 that is pursuing an Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related degree
- Must have proficient experience in Verilog, SystemVerilog, VHDL or other RTL programming (additional software experience is a plus; C++, Python, or similar)
- Strong analytical skills and interest in solving complex problems programmatically
- Desire to collaborate with technical and non-technical teammates in a dynamic environment
- Interest in the Financial Markets; previous knowledge is NOT required
- Must be able to start internship on June 7, 2027
Hardware Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Retail
- E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces
- Manufacturing
- Transportation & Logistics
Tips for Your Hardware Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than the semester suggests
Large semiconductor companies, defense contractors, and hardware-focused tech firms open summer internship applications the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August. Waiting until spring puts you behind cohorts that are already closing. Set a reminder at the start of each fall semester and treat it as the beginning of the internship season.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hardware intern screens run on evidence, not credentials. Document two or three complete projects, PCB designs, embedded systems builds, or FPGA implementations, with schematics, CAD files, or a GitHub repository reviewers can open. Name every tool you used and describe the design decisions you made. A linked portfolio answers the question a resume cannot.
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. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity, it widens the pool you reach and increases your chances of landing a role that never hits a general listing.
Practice your technical screen out loud before interviews
Hardware engineer intern interviews typically include digital logic problems, circuit analysis questions, or discussions of your project work. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud, not just arriving at an answer, interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you get it right. Run through past projects and be ready to walk through every design decision.
Target structured hardware engineering programs at larger companies
Many large semiconductor, aerospace, and electronics manufacturers run cohort-based internship programs designed to train people new to the field, with mentorship, rotations, and defined project tracks. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and carry strong conversion potential. Identify the ones that match your engineering focus and apply in the first wave of their open window.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the hardware engineer internships listed here, since many positions require lab access, prototyping equipment, or physical hardware you cannot replicate remotely. Decide what you can commit to before you start sorting listings on Migrate Mate, then filter by location and work type so you are reviewing roles you can actually take.
Hardware Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a hardware engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited professional experience at the intern level. Build a project portfolio that gives recruiters something concrete to assess: documented circuit designs, PCB layouts, or hardware prototypes with clear descriptions of your tools and process. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a hardware 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 hardware engineer interns is consistent performance on real deliverables, available headcount on the team, and understanding the return-offer timeline early. Treat the internship as an audition, ask about the conversion process midway through, and do strong work without counting on an offer.
When should I apply for hardware engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, semiconductor firms, defense contractors, and major tech companies, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with application windows opening as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking regularly and applying as soon as a role fits your profile gives you the strongest shot.
Are hardware engineer internships paid?
Most professional hardware engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and specific figures are not universal across the market. Listings show compensation where the employer discloses it, so you can compare offerings as you apply. Unpaid internships exist but are uncommon at companies running structured engineering programs.
What should a hardware engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that show what you built, the tools and components you used, and where reviewers can see the work, a GitHub repository with schematics, a CAD or PCB design portfolio, or a linked write-up of your design process. Add relevant coursework, any lab or research experience, and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote hardware engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the hardware engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Hardware roles often require lab access or physical prototyping, so fully remote positions are selective, and those that exist tend to fill fast. Apply early and filter by work type to see them before cohorts close.
What is a hardware engineering co-op?
A co-op is a structured, longer-term work arrangement, typically one or two full semesters, where you alternate between full-time study and full-time work at an employer, often repeating the cycle multiple times. Co-ops are common in electrical and computer engineering programs at universities with formal co-op partnerships. They recruit on a separate cycle from summer internships, post closer to start dates, and provide deeper project continuity than a standard internship.
Can international students get hardware 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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