Protection Engineer Internships
Protection 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 HNTB Corporation, Legence, and Parsons among the employers posting roles now.
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Job Description:
Welcoming different perspectives, like yours, is one of our strongest attributes
We’re a community of individuals with different points of view who enjoy opportunities to share our skills and ideas. We genuinely value people who will articulate their perspectives while respecting those of others. We value diversity, so here, you will find no limits to your professional growth. We will welcome you into the stimulating process of exchanging ideas for personal and professional growth.
Let’s talk about what you’ll be doing:
Parsons is seeking a Fire Protection Engineering Intern to support life safety, fire suppression (sprinkler, deluge, special suppression, etc.), fire alarm and detection, and mass notification designs, as well as general code consulting, for federal projects in the Pasadena, CA office.
Tasking may include:
- Revit design for life safety and fire protection systems
- Performing engineering calculations and analyses: Hydraulic Calculations for Fire Suppression Systems
- Performing research and creating engineering reports
All activities will be designed to give the intern a full understanding of the engineering design procedure and insight into the role that Fire Protection Engineers play in our industry. To facilitate their education and the quality of their experience each intern is paired one-on-one with a mentor of the same discipline. Interns participate in the 4D Internship Program where they interact with interns of varying disciplines and senior management within the organization.
Required Qualifications:
- Pursuing a Bachelors (3rd year or above) or Masters degree in one of the following disciplines: Fire Protection Engineering (or similar) and/or Mechanical Engineering
- US Citizenship
- Major GPA greater than 3.25/4.00
- Must graduate after September 2026.
- Good writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
Desired Skills:
- 3D Computer-Aided Design (Revit) experience and/or other design programs (CAD, AutoSPRINK, HASS, etc.)
- Knowledge of fire suppression and fire alarm & detection systems preferred.
- Familiar with NFPA Standards and International Code Council (ICC) Codes (IBC, IFC, etc.)
Parsons is a leading technology firm driving the future of defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure. By combining unique technologies with deep domain expertise across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities, we're providing tomorrow's solutions today.
Ready to join our team as an intern this summer?
Security Clearance Requirement:
None This position is part of our Federal Solutions team. The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now. Salary Range: $22.93 - $40.14 We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as 401K! Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.
COMPETITIVE BENEFIT OFFERINGS
Financial Wellness
We care about your financial wellbeing. Parsons offers competitive pay and retirement plans to help you build wealth for the future while giving you the flexibility to diversify your investments.
Work Life Harmony
Balance in life is important and time away from the office is imperative to allow you to refresh and focus your attention on the things that matter to you. Parsons supports your time away by providing paid time off and paid flexible holidays.
Career Development
We are committed to fostering the personal and professional growth of our employees. Develop and advance yourself though our comprehensive training, educational and mentorship programs.
Veteran Support
We provide Industry leading benefits to support veterans and active-duty members to provide security for you and your family by offering robust leave and benefits; including paid active-duty military leave and paid time off when transitioning back to civilian life.
Mind & Body
At Parsons we inspire healthier habits, heathier minds, and a healthier you through our wellness program. Participate in our weekly Meditation Mondays and Wellness Wednesdays. Wellness, at Parsons, is more than just your annual checkup.
Health
Health is not a one size fits all. At Parsons, we offer a robust Employee Assistance Program as well as comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans through large, national carriers with the choice of regional PPO, HDHP, or HMO networks.
Job Description:
Welcoming different perspectives, like yours, is one of our strongest attributes
We’re a community of individuals with different points of view who enjoy opportunities to share our skills and ideas. We genuinely value people who will articulate their perspectives while respecting those of others. We value diversity, so here, you will find no limits to your professional growth. We will welcome you into the stimulating process of exchanging ideas for personal and professional growth.
Let’s talk about what you’ll be doing:
Parsons is seeking a Fire Protection Engineering Intern to support life safety, fire suppression (sprinkler, deluge, special suppression, etc.), fire alarm and detection, and mass notification designs, as well as general code consulting, for federal projects in the Pasadena, CA office.
Tasking may include:
- Revit design for life safety and fire protection systems
- Performing engineering calculations and analyses: Hydraulic Calculations for Fire Suppression Systems
- Performing research and creating engineering reports
All activities will be designed to give the intern a full understanding of the engineering design procedure and insight into the role that Fire Protection Engineers play in our industry. To facilitate their education and the quality of their experience each intern is paired one-on-one with a mentor of the same discipline. Interns participate in the 4D Internship Program where they interact with interns of varying disciplines and senior management within the organization.
Required Qualifications:
- Pursuing a Bachelors (3rd year or above) or Masters degree in one of the following disciplines: Fire Protection Engineering (or similar) and/or Mechanical Engineering
- US Citizenship
- Major GPA greater than 3.25/4.00
- Must graduate after September 2026.
- Good writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
Desired Skills:
- 3D Computer-Aided Design (Revit) experience and/or other design programs (CAD, AutoSPRINK, HASS, etc.)
- Knowledge of fire suppression and fire alarm & detection systems preferred.
- Familiar with NFPA Standards and International Code Council (ICC) Codes (IBC, IFC, etc.)
Parsons is a leading technology firm driving the future of defense, intelligence, and critical infrastructure. By combining unique technologies with deep domain expertise across cybersecurity, missile defense, space, connected infrastructure, and smart cities, we're providing tomorrow's solutions today.
Ready to join our team as an intern this summer?
Security Clearance Requirement:
None This position is part of our Federal Solutions team. The Federal Solutions segment delivers resources to our US government customers that ensure the success of missions around the globe. Our intelligent employees drive the state of the art as they provide services and solutions in the areas of defense, security, intelligence, infrastructure, and environmental. We promote a culture of excellence and close-knit teams that take pride in delivering, protecting, and sustaining our nation's most critical assets, from Earth to cyberspace. Throughout the company, our people are anticipating what’s next to deliver the solutions our customers need now. Salary Range: $22.93 - $40.14 We value our employees and want our employees to take care of their overall wellbeing, which is why we offer best-in-class benefits such as 401K! Parsons is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other protected status. We truly invest and care about our employee’s wellbeing and provide endless growth opportunities as the sky is the limit, so aim for the stars! Imagine next and join the Parsons quest—APPLY TODAY!Parsons is aware of fraudulent recruitment practices. To learn more about recruitment fraud and how to report it, please refer to https://www.parsons.com/fraudulent-recruitment/.
COMPETITIVE BENEFIT OFFERINGS
Financial Wellness
We care about your financial wellbeing. Parsons offers competitive pay and retirement plans to help you build wealth for the future while giving you the flexibility to diversify your investments.
Work Life Harmony
Balance in life is important and time away from the office is imperative to allow you to refresh and focus your attention on the things that matter to you. Parsons supports your time away by providing paid time off and paid flexible holidays.
Career Development
We are committed to fostering the personal and professional growth of our employees. Develop and advance yourself though our comprehensive training, educational and mentorship programs.
Veteran Support
We provide Industry leading benefits to support veterans and active-duty members to provide security for you and your family by offering robust leave and benefits; including paid active-duty military leave and paid time off when transitioning back to civilian life.
Mind & Body
At Parsons we inspire healthier habits, heathier minds, and a healthier you through our wellness program. Participate in our weekly Meditation Mondays and Wellness Wednesdays. Wellness, at Parsons, is more than just your annual checkup.
Health
Health is not a one size fits all. At Parsons, we offer a robust Employee Assistance Program as well as comprehensive medical, dental and vision plans through large, national carriers with the choice of regional PPO, HDHP, or HMO networks.
Protection Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Protection Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large utilities and engineering firms open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall and close cohorts months before the start date. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so check listings throughout the year and submit as soon as a role fits rather than waiting for a single season.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for protection engineer intern roles expect limited work history. What moves your application forward is documented project work: relay coordination studies, protection system simulations, one-line diagrams, or CAD layouts with the software named. A portfolio gives recruiters something concrete to assess when your resume is short.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Your professors and career center staff frequently 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.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Protection engineer intern screens typically include power systems fundamentals, relay logic, and fault analysis questions, often in a technical interview format. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud, not just reaching the right answer, because interviewers for engineering roles weigh how you think through a problem as much as your final solution.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Larger utility companies and engineering firms run cohort-based intern programs designed to train people new to protection engineering. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones aligned with your school year or graduation timeline and get your application in during the first recruiting wave, not after you've noticed the deadline approaching.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 25% of the protection engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you spend your time on roles you can actually accept, rather than deep into an application process for a position that doesn't fit your situation.
Protection Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a protection engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history. Hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level, so the concrete artifact that gives recruiters something to assess is a documented project portfolio showing relay coordination studies, protection schemes, or simulation work. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often make decisions faster for students they meet in person.
Can a protection 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 protection engineering work, available headcount on the team, and how early return-offer decisions happen in your cohort. Position for one by delivering on your project scope and building relationships with your team, without counting on it as a certain outcome.
When should I apply for protection engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large utility companies and engineering firms recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you catch both waves instead of missing the early-recruiting window entirely.
Are protection engineer internships paid?
Most professional protection engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it. Unpaid positions exist but are uncommon at engineering firms and utilities, which typically offer structured intern compensation programs.
What should a protection engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Highlight two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools and software you used, such as relay coordination studies, protection system simulations, or CAD drawings, and link or reference where the work can be reviewed. Add relevant coursework in power systems or electrical engineering, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote protection engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 75% of the protection engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get protection 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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