Research And Development Engineer Internships
Research and development engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Food & Beverage, Medical Devices, and Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, with SIG SAUER, Labcorp, and Entegris among the employers posting roles now.
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About SunOpta
SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.
Job Summary:
This is a 12-week program where interns will apply the knowledge and skills they've gained in the classroom by working alongside professionals at SunOpta. As part of the team, interns will gain valuable hands-on experience, contribute to meaningful projects, and improve processes. They will also gain insight into the latest trends in the food industry while helping to create new and innovative products.
Essential Functions of the Job:
- R&D INTERNSHIP
- Improve current product (beverages, fruit snacks, or ingredients) yield and quality
- Conduct bench-top and pilot experiments, sample preparation, analytical testing, and product evaluations
- Support sensory testing, shelf-life studies, and data collection
- Assist on process and product documentation
- Assist with ingredient research, literature review, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate with other cross-functional teams like QA, Engineering, Procurement and Marketing
Minimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must be working towards a bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, Microbiology or related field.
- Candidates must be at least a sophomore in college and actively pursuing a degree.
- Graduate students will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous internship experience.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Additional Considerations:
- Travel: Travel may be required to various SunOpta locations for plant trials or other job-related functions
- Location: This position will be located at our Corporate Office in Eden Prairie, MN.
- This is a 12-week program, running 5/17/27 through 8/6/27.
- Pay Rate: $20.00/hour.
- Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED
Job Details
About SunOpta
SunOpta delivers customized supply chain solutions and innovation for top brands, retailers, and foodservice providers across a broad portfolio of beverages, broths, and better-for-you snacks. With over 50 years of expertise, SunOpta fuels customers’ growth with high-quality, sustainability-forward solutions distributed through retail, club, foodservice, and e-commerce channels across North America.
Job Summary:
This is a 12-week program where interns will apply the knowledge and skills they've gained in the classroom by working alongside professionals at SunOpta. As part of the team, interns will gain valuable hands-on experience, contribute to meaningful projects, and improve processes. They will also gain insight into the latest trends in the food industry while helping to create new and innovative products.
Essential Functions of the Job:
- R&D INTERNSHIP
- Improve current product (beverages, fruit snacks, or ingredients) yield and quality
- Conduct bench-top and pilot experiments, sample preparation, analytical testing, and product evaluations
- Support sensory testing, shelf-life studies, and data collection
- Assist on process and product documentation
- Assist with ingredient research, literature review, and technical documentation.
- Collaborate with other cross-functional teams like QA, Engineering, Procurement and Marketing
Minimum Qualifications:
- Candidates must be working towards a bachelor’s degree in Food Science, Chemical Engineering, Nutrition, Microbiology or related field.
- Candidates must be at least a sophomore in college and actively pursuing a degree.
- Graduate students will be considered.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous internship experience.
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Strong interpersonal, problem-solving, and leadership skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint)
Additional Considerations:
- Travel: Travel may be required to various SunOpta locations for plant trials or other job-related functions
- Location: This position will be located at our Corporate Office in Eden Prairie, MN.
- This is a 12-week program, running 5/17/27 through 8/6/27.
- Pay Rate: $20.00/hour.
- Relocation or international remote working arrangements (outside of the US) will not be considered.
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice.
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
EOE M/W/VET/DISABLED
Job Details
Research And Development Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
- Medical Devices
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
Tips for Your Research And Development Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than your instincts say to
Large employers running structured summer internship cohorts often open applications the preceding fall and close them before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so roles appear year-round, check back regularly rather than treating intern recruiting as a single season.
Build proof before you build a resume
Hiring teams reviewing research and development engineer intern candidates expect limited work history and look for documented projects instead. A repository with clear commit history, a technical report with methodology and results, or a prototype with build notes gives recruiters something real to evaluate. Complete two or three projects you can discuss end-to-end before you apply.
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. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside your campus activity widens the pool you reach and surfaces opportunities that never appear at fairs.
Practice the actual research and development engineer intern screen out loud
Research and development engineer intern interviews commonly include a technical problem-solving screen where interviewers assess your reasoning process as much as your final answer. Practice explaining your approach aloud as you work through problems, covering assumptions, trade-offs, and what you'd test next, so the habit is automatic before your first real screen.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Many larger employers run dedicated rotational or university-hire engineering programs built to develop people new to the field. These cohorts recruit on an accelerated timeline, often before general intern postings go live, and fill fast. Identify the programs that match your background and apply in the first wave rather than waiting for a general listing.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 75% of the research and development engineer internships listed here. Decide what arrangement you can commit to before you start reviewing listings, then filter by location and work type so you're not sorting through roles you cannot take. On Migrate Mate, work-type filters apply immediately and update as new listings post.
Research And Development Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research and development engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. A documented project with clear methodology, tools used, and a linked repository or report gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where R&D recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a research and development engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for research and development engineer interns is consistent performance on real project work, team headcount at the end of the term, and timing your expression of interest before the return-offer window closes. Position for it by delivering results, but don't count on it when planning your job search.
When should I apply for research and development engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers, particularly those running structured summer cohorts, begin recruiting the preceding fall, often closing applications before spring semester starts. Smaller companies, startups, and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking regularly means you catch both waves.
Are research and development engineer internships paid?
Most professional research and development engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid arrangements are far less common in engineering and technical disciplines than in some other fields.
What should a research and development engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools, methods, and outcomes, for research and development engineer candidates, that means linked code repositories, published test results, CAD or prototype documentation, or technical write-ups reviewers can actually open. Add relevant coursework beneath projects and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote research and development engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 25% of the research and development engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly because they attract applicants from every region, so apply early once you've decided what arrangement fits your situation and filter by work type to see them immediately.
Can international students get research and development 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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