Physics Internships
Physics internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working physicists and research engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings across {{top_industries_phrase}} are active now, with Tesla, Draper, and Commonwealth Fusion Systems among the employers posting roles now.
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At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth
Discover your future with us.
We are seeking a highly motivated undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in Astronomy, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers supporting the development, testing, and analysis of advanced sensing and imaging technologies.
As part of our technical team, you will work alongside experienced researchers and engineers on a variety of projects. Depending on your interests, experience, and current program needs, assignments may include laboratory testing and characterization of imaging systems; development of software tools and automation scripts; data collection and analysis; experiment design; modeling and simulation; or technical documentation.
This position offers exposure to real-world research and development activities spanning hardware, software, and data analytics in support of national security applications. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a collaborative environment, eager to learn new technologies, and excited to tackle challenging technical problems.
All work for this position will be carried out on-site at our Niwot, CO office
Qualities We Look For:
- Creativity and innovation in solving challenging technical problems.
- Intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn new skills.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- Adaptability when working across multiple technical disciplines.
- Passion for science, engineering, and national security missions.
-
Integrity and accountability in all actions, for example maintaining accurate records, following
established procedures, and delivering high-quality technical work.
Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program in Astronomy, Physics, Aerospace / Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related STEM discipline.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience using scientific, engineering, or programming tools through coursework, research, or personal projects.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- U.S. Citizenship Required.
Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):
- Experience with laboratory testing, experimentation, or scientific data collection.
- Familiarity with optical systems, cameras, image sensors, or electro-optical hardware.
- Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar languages.
- Experience with data analysis, visualization, or statistical methods.
- Experience developing automation scripts or software tools.
-
Coursework or project experience involving signal processing, image processing, computer vision,
machine learning, or modeling and simulation.
The salary range for this role depends on the candidate’s level of experience:
- Undergraduate Student: $30/hr (currently enrolled in BS program)
- Graduate Student: $35/hr (currently enrolled in MS program)
However, Areté considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
Other Considerations
Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.
Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.
Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.
At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth
Discover your future with us.
We are seeking a highly motivated undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in Astronomy, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers supporting the development, testing, and analysis of advanced sensing and imaging technologies.
As part of our technical team, you will work alongside experienced researchers and engineers on a variety of projects. Depending on your interests, experience, and current program needs, assignments may include laboratory testing and characterization of imaging systems; development of software tools and automation scripts; data collection and analysis; experiment design; modeling and simulation; or technical documentation.
This position offers exposure to real-world research and development activities spanning hardware, software, and data analytics in support of national security applications. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a collaborative environment, eager to learn new technologies, and excited to tackle challenging technical problems.
All work for this position will be carried out on-site at our Niwot, CO office
Qualities We Look For:
- Creativity and innovation in solving challenging technical problems.
- Intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn new skills.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- Adaptability when working across multiple technical disciplines.
- Passion for science, engineering, and national security missions.
-
Integrity and accountability in all actions, for example maintaining accurate records, following
established procedures, and delivering high-quality technical work.
Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program in Astronomy, Physics, Aerospace / Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related STEM discipline.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience using scientific, engineering, or programming tools through coursework, research, or personal projects.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- U.S. Citizenship Required.
Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):
- Experience with laboratory testing, experimentation, or scientific data collection.
- Familiarity with optical systems, cameras, image sensors, or electro-optical hardware.
- Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar languages.
- Experience with data analysis, visualization, or statistical methods.
- Experience developing automation scripts or software tools.
-
Coursework or project experience involving signal processing, image processing, computer vision,
machine learning, or modeling and simulation.
The salary range for this role depends on the candidate’s level of experience:
- Undergraduate Student: $30/hr (currently enrolled in BS program)
- Graduate Student: $35/hr (currently enrolled in MS program)
However, Areté considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
Other Considerations
Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.
Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.
Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.
Physics Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Physics Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer physics roles
Large employers, including national laboratories and aerospace companies, open summer internship applications the preceding fall and fill cohorts before the new year. If you wait until spring, the structured programs are already closed. Set a calendar reminder and start searching in September.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Physics intern hiring teams expect limited work history and look for documented evidence of what you can do instead. Two or three complete projects showing your methods, tools, and results carry more weight than a long list of coursework. Link your code, analyses, or simulation writeups somewhere reviewers can reach them.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured internship 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 catches openings that never appear at a fair.
Practice your technical screen out loud before interviews
Physics internship interviews typically include a quantitative or computational screen where interviewers weigh how you reason through a problem as much as the final answer. Practice walking through problems verbally, explaining your assumptions and approach step by step, so the habit is automatic before you sit down with a recruiter.
Target structured lab and cohort programs early
Larger employers and national laboratories run structured internship pipelines, including rotational research programs and university partnerships, specifically designed to bring new talent into physics and research roles. These programs recruit early and fill fast, so identify which ones fit your background and submit in the first application wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 60% of the physics internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through openings, then filter by location and work type so you're only reviewing roles you can actually take.
Physics Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a physics internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For physics candidates, the concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a documented project, whether a simulation, lab writeup, or data analysis with linked code or results. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a physics 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 your performance on real project work, whether the team has open headcount when you finish, and how early you signal interest before the return-offer window closes. Position for it by treating deliverables seriously and building relationships with the team, without counting on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for physics internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, particularly national labs, aerospace companies, and research organizations, recruit for summer cohorts the preceding fall, often with applications due in October or November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings consistently across all seasons is the safest approach.
Are physics internships paid?
Most professional physics internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, so there's no single standard. Listings show pay where the employer chooses to disclose it, which lets you compare options as you apply without needing to ask upfront.
What should a physics internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and methods used and show where the work can be seen, such as linked code repositories, published analyses, or simulation writeups. Add relevant coursework, particularly in areas like computational methods, instrumentation, or data analysis. Keep everything to one page.
Are there remote physics internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 40% of the physics 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 Department of Energy (DOE) Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship?
The DOE Science Undergraduate Laboratory Internship, commonly called SULI, places undergraduate and graduate students at national laboratories for structured research terms. It targets people new to professional research environments, pairs participants with laboratory staff mentors on active projects, and recruits on a fixed academic-term schedule. Applications open well before each term and the program is competitive, so apply in the first round.
Can international students get physics 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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