Research Engineer Internships
Research 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 in Technology & Software, with PlusAI, TikTok, and Together AI among the employers posting roles now.
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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
We are searching for a highly motivated, self-starting Research and Development Engineer Intern to join our Mission Systems (MS) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The MS Department mission is to serve as the nexus between technology and operations, leading multidisciplinary initiatives that transform operational capabilities. Through strong partnerships and trusted stakeholder relationships, we facilitate the delivery of integrated solutions to complex, real-world challenges.
As an R&D Intern, you will support complex system development efforts that leverage cutting‑edge technologies in areas such as hypersonic systems, unmanned platforms, advanced manufacturing, and supply‑chain logistics.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Perform systems modeling and analysis
- Develop requirements, architecture definitions, and system designs
- Develop and perform system tests
- Develop prototype systems including mechanical, electrical, and/or software subsystems
Required skills/experience areas include:
- Ability to express yourself in written and oral communication to others in order to provide understanding
- Past success in providing ideas in written form for clear comprehension to an audience
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
- Hands-on experience with design, simulation, and test.
- Model Based Systems Engineering training and experience
- Familiarity with systems engineering fundamentals
- SECRET Clearance (or ability to obtain a clearance)
Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA.
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu .
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
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APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:
CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.
If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants .
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants .
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
We are searching for a highly motivated, self-starting Research and Development Engineer Intern to join our Mission Systems (MS) Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. The MS Department mission is to serve as the nexus between technology and operations, leading multidisciplinary initiatives that transform operational capabilities. Through strong partnerships and trusted stakeholder relationships, we facilitate the delivery of integrated solutions to complex, real-world challenges.
As an R&D Intern, you will support complex system development efforts that leverage cutting‑edge technologies in areas such as hypersonic systems, unmanned platforms, advanced manufacturing, and supply‑chain logistics.
ARL is an authorized DoD SkillBridge partner and welcomes all transitioning military members to apply.
You will:
- Perform systems modeling and analysis
- Develop requirements, architecture definitions, and system designs
- Develop and perform system tests
- Develop prototype systems including mechanical, electrical, and/or software subsystems
Required skills/experience areas include:
- Ability to express yourself in written and oral communication to others in order to provide understanding
- Past success in providing ideas in written form for clear comprehension to an audience
Preferred skills/experience areas include:
- Hands-on experience with design, simulation, and test.
- Model Based Systems Engineering training and experience
- Familiarity with systems engineering fundamentals
- SECRET Clearance (or ability to obtain a clearance)
Your working location will be fully on-site, located in State College, PA.
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Intel Community (IC).
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our web site at www.arl.psu.edu .
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.All positions at ARL require candidates to possess the ability to obtain a government security clearance; you will be notified during the interview process if this position is subject to a government background investigation. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply. Employment with the ARL will require successful completion of a pre-employment drug screen.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here .
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
Research Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your Research Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than your peers do
Large employers, national labs, major tech firms, and established research divisions, recruit summer interns the preceding fall. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to start dates. Check new listings consistently from early fall onward and apply as soon as a role opens, not after you've finished polishing everything.
Build a portfolio before you need it
Hiring teams at the intern level expect limited work history, so your evidence has to come from projects. For research engineer candidates, that means a linked code repository, a documented experiment with clear methodology, a published analysis, or a technical write-up. Two or three complete, well-documented projects beat a long list of half-finished ones.
Work campus and direct channels at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. 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 you apply
Research engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen, often a coding round covering data structures and algorithms, or a research problem-solving conversation. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud, not just arriving at an answer, because interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you get it right.
Target structured internship programs in the first wave
Larger employers in research-heavy fields run formal cohort or rotational internship programs designed to train people new to the discipline. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that align with your focus area, note their application open dates, and submit in the first week rather than waiting until the deadline.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the research engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you start reviewing listings on Migrate Mate, and filter by location and work type from the start so you're not sorting through roles you cannot take.
Research Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams at the intern level expect limited professional experience. For research engineer candidates, a linked GitHub repository, published analysis, or documented project with clear methodology gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a research 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 engineer interns is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team at the time offers go out, and clear communication about your interest before the return-offer window closes. Position for one by delivering results, but don't count on it when planning your search.
When should I apply for research engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, national labs, major tech companies, and established research divisions, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with some programs closing in October or November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings consistently and applying as soon as a role opens gives you the best chance.
Are research engineer internships paid?
Most professional research 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. Internships at nonprofits or smaller academic-adjacent organizations occasionally offer stipends rather than hourly wages, so read each listing carefully before applying.
What should a research engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history: two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used and link to the work, for research engineer candidates, that means linked code repositories, published analyses, technical write-ups, or design portfolios. Add relevant coursework in a dedicated section, and keep the whole document to one page. Recruiters spend seconds on an intern resume, so clarity and specificity matter more than length.
Are there remote research engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the research engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts tend to fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early once you spot one that fits. Filter by work type when you search so you're only seeing the format you can actually commit to.
Can international students get research 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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