Process Automation Engineer Internships

Process automation 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 across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with ATI, AbbVie, and Envoy Air among the employers posting roles now.

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Overview

Open roles15
Top statePennsylvania
Top employerATI
Top cityNew Holland, PA
Work type50% On-site
Top credentialBachelor's degree

Showing 4 of 15+ Process Automation Engineer Internships

College Intern - Administrative Process Automation (LAX)
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Added 1w ago
College Intern - Administrative Process Automation (LAX)
Envoy Air
Los Angeles, California
Accounting
Business Operations
Tax
10,000+

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Mechanical Engineering Intern – Process & Automation
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Added 2w ago
Mechanical Engineering Intern – Process & Automation
Vista Auction LLC
Charlotte, North Carolina
Accounting
Business Operations
Tax
$18 - $25/hr

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2027 Summer Internship - DT Process Engineering & Automation
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Added 2w ago
2027 Summer Internship - DT Process Engineering & Automation
WSFS Bank
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Accounting
Business Operations
Tax
$18 - $21/hr
1,001-5,000

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2027 Automation & Process Analytics Technology Co-Op (June - Dec)
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Added 2w ago
2027 Automation & Process Analytics Technology Co-Op (June - Dec)
AbbVie
Worcester, Massachusetts
Automation QA
Cloud & DevOps
DevOps
$59k - $104k/yr
Hybrid
10,000+

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Process Automation Engineer Internship Market

Who's Hiring

ATI1 open role
AbbVie1 open role
Envoy Air1 open role

Tips for Your Process Automation Engineer Internship Search

Apply earlier than you think necessary

Large manufacturers and industrial automation companies recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often through campus programs that close by November or December. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear throughout the year. Check listings regularly and treat fall as your primary application window for the following summer.

Build a project portfolio before you apply

Process automation engineer intern hiring teams want something concrete to assess. Document two or three automation, controls, or systems projects with the tools you used, whether PLCs, Python, SCADA platforms, or CAD software, and make them accessible through a code repository, technical write-up, or design portfolio. Coursework counts, but a working artifact counts more.

Work your campus network alongside direct applications

Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Professors with industry connections and your career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles appear publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens your reach.

Practice the technical screen out loud before you apply

Process automation engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering controls concepts, instrumentation, or systems logic, sometimes with a practical problem or schematic exercise. Practice explaining your reasoning as you work through problems, since interviewers weigh how you think as much as the final answer. Running through problems out loud with a classmate sharpens both accuracy and clarity.

Target structured rotational and cohort programs early

Larger industrial, energy, and technology companies run formal internship cohorts designed to train people new to process automation, often rotating interns across controls, instrumentation, and systems engineering teams. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your background, check their application windows in the fall, and apply in the first wave.

Set your work-type filter before you start

On-site roles are 50% of the process automation engineer internships listed here, since many positions require direct access to equipment, control panels, or plant floors. Decide what you can commit to before you start searching, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you're not sorting through roles that don't fit your situation.

Process Automation Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a process automation 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 of documented automation projects showing the tools and platforms you used, ideally with links to working code or schematics recruiters can review. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where process automation engineer recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.

Can a process automation engineer internship turn into a full-time job?

Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For process automation engineer interns, what actually drives it is consistent performance on real projects, available headcount on the team at the end of the term, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position for a return offer by delivering visible results, but don't count on it as your only plan.

When should I apply for process automation engineer internships?

Earlier than most expect. Large employers, especially in manufacturing and industrial automation, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often through campus programs that close before December. Smaller companies and co-op positions post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you won't miss the early waves at large structured programs.

Are process automation engineer internships paid?

Most professional process automation engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer discloses it. Larger industrial and technology employers typically offer structured compensation, while smaller firms or academic-adjacent placements vary more. Review each listing directly for the specifics.

What should a process automation engineer internship resume include?

Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented automation or controls projects showing the tools you used, such as PLCs, SCADA systems, Python scripts, or CAD drawings, and link to code repositories, technical write-ups, or project files where possible. Add relevant coursework in controls, instrumentation, or systems engineering. Keep it to one page.

Are there remote process automation engineer internships?

Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 50% of the process automation engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them. Many process automation roles require hands-on equipment access, so on-site positions are common, but software-focused or simulation-based projects do support remote arrangements.

Can international students get process automation 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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