Manufacturing Controls Engineer Internships
Manufacturing controls engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience with automation systems and industrial controls, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Demand is strongest across Automotive, Electronics & Hardware, and Banking & Financial Services, with General Motors, Tesla, and Moderna among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 8+ Manufacturing Controls Engineer Internships
Position Summary
Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For more than a century, the company has been enabling engineering breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow.
At Parker Aerospace, we develop technologies and innovative solutions that enable reliable, efficient and increasingly sustainable flight for the lifecycle of the aircraft, including aftermarket support. Our passionate people with deep engineering expertise, together with our breadth of differentiated technologies, ensure that we make the extraordinary happen and continue to shape the future of aviation in partnership with our customers.
As a member of our team, you are instrumental in fulfilling our mission: 'Enabling Engineering Breakthroughs that Lead to a Better Tomorrow.' Pursuing a career at Parker presents unlimited opportunities for both professional and personal development. Working with some of the most brilliant minds in the industry, your contributions will be pivotal in developing innovative technologies and products, significantly contributing to Parker’s goal of addressing the world’s most pressing engineering challenges. At Parker, our team members belong, matter and make a difference.
Military Flight Controls Division Supporting aircraft worldwide, Parker Aerospace’s Military Flight Controls Division (MFCD) provides primary and secondary flight control systems that make flight possible. Tested, proven and trusted in commercial and military applications for decades, MFCD provides precise position-control actuation solutions for military aircraft across the United States and with foreign partners. The division’s JetPipe® electrohydraulic servovalve (EHSV) technology is used across commercial and military aircraft around the world. Headquartered in Irvine, California, the Military Flight Controls Division is the global leader in fly-by-wire flight control systems and electrohydraulic products and offers the world's most advanced motor design capabilities for flight controls.
Start your journey with Parker and shape a better tomorrow! We're looking for inquisitive thinkers and resourceful problem solvers who are looking to grow with us. As an Engineering intern you will gain valuable hands-on experience and broaden your understanding of manufacturing operations and/or product design while learning from engineering professionals and building your professional network. Our Engineering internships are designed to stretch students professionally and help them gain foundational skills that serve as a strong pathway to full-time opportunities. Throughout the internship, you will have opportunities to explore career options and learn about applying for the Parker Engineering Leadership Development Program and other available direct-hire engineering roles.
Position Summary:
Location: Parker Hannifin Corporation - Military Flight Controls Division - 14300 Alton Pkwy Irvine, CA 92618
Timeframe: Summer 2027
Engineering internships may include work in the following areas:
Research and Development
- Support technology assessments, design of experiments, additive manufacturing, automation, and product development initiatives
- Contribute to projects across the product lifecycle, from concept to production
Product Design
- Involvement in design and development of components and systems
- Design, create and prototype new components or modifications of existing products
Testing
- Learn to operate testing equipment, evaluate findings, analyze data and prepare reports
Manufacturing
- Partner with manufacturing teams to understand production processes and provide engineering support
- Support process improvement, technology advancement, and product launches
Qualifications:
- Actively pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required. Examples include but are not limited to: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. Engineering Technology degrees will not be considered for this role.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Requires completion of engineering coursework
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Professional demeanor with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Active listener, displays genuine curiosity and maintains a growth mindset
- Adaptable, collaborative and willing to participate in a variety of engineering assignments
- Enthusiastic while working through challenges and making progress on open-ended assignments
- Innovative, possessing skills necessary to investigate and research new topics
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; Experience with engineering tools is preferred
- Campus leadership experience is preferred
- Experience working on team-based projects or in a manufacturing, engineering or operation environment is preferred
Pay, Benefits, Work Schedule
Competitive Compensation
- Pay Range: $20.94/hr to $34.89/hr
- No benefit plan eligibility
Equal Employment Opportunity
Additional Comments:
The essential functions have been provided as example of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions. The job description is not intended to be an inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.
Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. However, U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency or other appropriate status is required for certain positions, in accord with U.S. import & export regulations.
(“Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / VEVRAA Federal Contractor”)
If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Drug Tests
Drug-Free Workplace
In accordance with Parker’s policies and applicable state laws, Parker provides for a drug-free workplace. Therefore, all applicants seeking employment with Parker will be subject to drug testing as a condition of employment.
Position Summary
Parker Hannifin is a Fortune 250 global leader in motion and control technologies. For more than a century, the company has been enabling engineering breakthroughs that lead to a better tomorrow.
At Parker Aerospace, we develop technologies and innovative solutions that enable reliable, efficient and increasingly sustainable flight for the lifecycle of the aircraft, including aftermarket support. Our passionate people with deep engineering expertise, together with our breadth of differentiated technologies, ensure that we make the extraordinary happen and continue to shape the future of aviation in partnership with our customers.
As a member of our team, you are instrumental in fulfilling our mission: 'Enabling Engineering Breakthroughs that Lead to a Better Tomorrow.' Pursuing a career at Parker presents unlimited opportunities for both professional and personal development. Working with some of the most brilliant minds in the industry, your contributions will be pivotal in developing innovative technologies and products, significantly contributing to Parker’s goal of addressing the world’s most pressing engineering challenges. At Parker, our team members belong, matter and make a difference.
Military Flight Controls Division Supporting aircraft worldwide, Parker Aerospace’s Military Flight Controls Division (MFCD) provides primary and secondary flight control systems that make flight possible. Tested, proven and trusted in commercial and military applications for decades, MFCD provides precise position-control actuation solutions for military aircraft across the United States and with foreign partners. The division’s JetPipe® electrohydraulic servovalve (EHSV) technology is used across commercial and military aircraft around the world. Headquartered in Irvine, California, the Military Flight Controls Division is the global leader in fly-by-wire flight control systems and electrohydraulic products and offers the world's most advanced motor design capabilities for flight controls.
Start your journey with Parker and shape a better tomorrow! We're looking for inquisitive thinkers and resourceful problem solvers who are looking to grow with us. As an Engineering intern you will gain valuable hands-on experience and broaden your understanding of manufacturing operations and/or product design while learning from engineering professionals and building your professional network. Our Engineering internships are designed to stretch students professionally and help them gain foundational skills that serve as a strong pathway to full-time opportunities. Throughout the internship, you will have opportunities to explore career options and learn about applying for the Parker Engineering Leadership Development Program and other available direct-hire engineering roles.
Position Summary:
Location: Parker Hannifin Corporation - Military Flight Controls Division - 14300 Alton Pkwy Irvine, CA 92618
Timeframe: Summer 2027
Engineering internships may include work in the following areas:
Research and Development
- Support technology assessments, design of experiments, additive manufacturing, automation, and product development initiatives
- Contribute to projects across the product lifecycle, from concept to production
Product Design
- Involvement in design and development of components and systems
- Design, create and prototype new components or modifications of existing products
Testing
- Learn to operate testing equipment, evaluate findings, analyze data and prepare reports
Manufacturing
- Partner with manufacturing teams to understand production processes and provide engineering support
- Support process improvement, technology advancement, and product launches
Qualifications:
- Actively pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required. Examples include but are not limited to: Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Engineering, and Electrical Engineering. Engineering Technology degrees will not be considered for this role.
- Minimum GPA of 3.0
- Requires completion of engineering coursework
- Excellent problem-solving skills
- Professional demeanor with excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
- Active listener, displays genuine curiosity and maintains a growth mindset
- Adaptable, collaborative and willing to participate in a variety of engineering assignments
- Enthusiastic while working through challenges and making progress on open-ended assignments
- Innovative, possessing skills necessary to investigate and research new topics
- Proficient in Microsoft Office applications; Experience with engineering tools is preferred
- Campus leadership experience is preferred
- Experience working on team-based projects or in a manufacturing, engineering or operation environment is preferred
Pay, Benefits, Work Schedule
Competitive Compensation
- Pay Range: $20.94/hr to $34.89/hr
- No benefit plan eligibility
Equal Employment Opportunity
Additional Comments:
The essential functions have been provided as example of the type of work performed by employees assigned to this job classification. The company reserves the right to modify the work assignments and/or to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions. The job description is not intended to be an inclusive list of duties and responsibilities. It is intended to describe the general nature of the position.
Parker is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Parker is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job related reasons regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. However, U.S. Citizenship, Permanent Residency or other appropriate status is required for certain positions, in accord with U.S. import & export regulations.
(“Minority / Female / Disability / Veteran / VEVRAA Federal Contractor”)
If you would like more information about Equal Employment Opportunity as an applicant under the law, please go to Employees & Job Applicants | U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission
Drug Tests
Drug-Free Workplace
In accordance with Parker’s policies and applicable state laws, Parker provides for a drug-free workplace. Therefore, all applicants seeking employment with Parker will be subject to drug testing as a condition of employment.
Manufacturing Controls Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Automotive
- Electronics & Hardware
- Banking & Financial Services
Tips for Your Manufacturing Controls Engineer Internship Search
Apply months before the start date
Large manufacturers and automation companies fill their summer internship cohorts the preceding fall, often wrapping recruiting before the new year. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so roles appear throughout the year. Start searching earlier than feels necessary and apply as soon as a role opens.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for manufacturing controls engineer interns expect limited work history and assess candidates on documented project work instead. Put together two or three complete projects that show PLC programming, ladder logic, HMI configuration, or instrumentation design, name the tools and platforms you used, and make the work reviewable as a linked file, repository, or design document.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
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 at the same time, since those roles rarely fill through campus channels alone and the two approaches together widen your reach significantly.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Manufacturing controls engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering controls theory, PLC fundamentals, circuit analysis, or instrumentation concepts. Practice answering these questions out loud and walk through your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you approach a problem as much as whether you land on the right answer.
Target structured rotational programs early
Many large manufacturers and industrial companies run rotational internship programs built specifically to train people new to controls and automation engineering. These programs expose you to multiple teams across a single term, recruit earlier than standard postings, and fill fast. Identify the ones aligned with your background and get your application in during the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the manufacturing controls engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can commit to before you start searching, then filter by location and work type so you are not sorting through roles you cannot take. On Migrate Mate, the work-type filter applies instantly and keeps your results relevant from the first search.
Manufacturing Controls Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a manufacturing controls engineer 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 complete projects, naming the tools and platforms you used, so recruiters have something concrete to assess. Apply directly to companies and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster with students they meet in person.
Can a manufacturing controls 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 consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and acting on return-offer conversations before the internship ends. Position yourself for one by treating every assignment as full-time work, without building your post-graduation plan around it.
When should I apply for manufacturing controls engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large manufacturers and industrial automation companies recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly and applying as soon as a role opens gives you the best shot at structured programs.
Are manufacturing controls engineer internships paid?
Most professional manufacturing controls engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Listings show pay where the employer discloses it, so you can compare opportunities directly as you search.
What should a manufacturing controls engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that show the tools you used, such as PLC programming environments, ladder logic, HMI configuration software, or CAD design files, and link to or reference where the work can be reviewed. Add relevant coursework in controls, instrumentation, or automation, and keep everything to one page.
Are there remote manufacturing controls engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the manufacturing controls engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a rotational engineering internship, and is it right for manufacturing controls engineers?
Rotational internship programs place interns across two or more engineering teams during a single term, exposing them to controls, automation, process, and systems work in sequence. They target candidates new to the field and are designed to build broad technical exposure quickly. These programs recruit early and are competitive, so identify which companies run them and apply in the first wave of their cycle.
Can international students get manufacturing controls 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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