Security Engineer Internships
Security 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. Roles across Technology & Software are actively posted, with Tesla, Cisco, and L3Harris among the employers posting roles now.
Find Security Engineer InternshipsOverview
Showing 4 of 25+ Security Engineer Internships
About TensorWave
Our mission is simple: deliver seamless, secure, reliable, and resilient AI compute at scale. We've built a versatile cloud platform that eliminates infrastructure barriers, empowering builders to focus on innovation instead of fighting their stack. Because breakthrough AI should move at the speed of ideas, not infrastructure.
About the Role
We are looking for a motivated Security Engineer Intern to join our team. You won’t just be watching—you’ll be building. You will work with our teams to protect our systems and help launch a brand-new Threat Modeling Program from scratch.
What You’ll Do
Threat Modeling: Help us build a "blueprinting" program where we look at a system, figure out how a hacker might break in, and fix it before they ever try.
GRC Assistance: Learn how the "business" side of security works. This includes Risk Management (deciding which problems are the scariest), Audit (proving we are actually following security rules), and Governance (writing the "laws" of the company).
Hybrid Defense: Learn to secure "the Cloud" (internet-based systems) and "On-Premise" (the physical servers and hardware inside our Las Vegas data centers).
Solve Puzzles: Use Critical Thinking to find the root cause of network issues or security holes.
Automation: Write simple code (Bash, Python, PowerShell, etc.) to do your chores for you so you can focus on bigger problems.
Lab Testing: Use "hacker tools" in a safe lab environment to find vulnerabilities (weak spots) and suggest ways to patch them.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
Education & Experience: You must meet one of the following Nevada-based criteria:
2 years of hands-on experience in networking, security, or computer science AND currently enrolled in a Nevada higher education institution or trade school/certification program.
OR at least 2 years of college or trade school in Nevada, completed toward a degree/certificate in Computer Science, Networking, Programming, Cyber, or a similar field.
Self-Starter Attitude: You don't wait to be told what to do; you are motivated to learn new things and have a history of hitting goals you set for yourself.
Tech Basics: You know how computers talk to each other (Networking) and can write a basic script or program.
Hands-on Experience: You’ve spent time in "Labs"—whether that's network simulators, coding sites, or cybersecurity "capture the flag" platforms.
Teamwork: You know how to work with others, whether that was in sports, a college club, or a leadership role.
What We Offer
Paid internship experience
Founder and leadership speaker sessions
Dedicated mentorship and cross-functional networking
Industry and market education sessions
Career development workshops (resume review, mock interviews, interview prep)
Team-building events and intern socials
Lunch & Learns with company leaders
In-office perks including snacks and beverages
Equal Employment Opportunity
TensorWave is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under applicable law.
Reasonable Accommodations
TensorWave provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please contact accomodations@tensorwave.com.
Employment Eligibility
All offers of employment are contingent upon verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States, as required by law.
Background Checks
Where permitted by law, employment may be contingent upon the successful completion of a job-related background check.
Data Privacy Notice
By submitting an application, you acknowledge that TensorWave may collect, use, and retain your personal information for recruiting and employment-related purposes in accordance with applicable data privacy laws.
About TensorWave
Our mission is simple: deliver seamless, secure, reliable, and resilient AI compute at scale. We've built a versatile cloud platform that eliminates infrastructure barriers, empowering builders to focus on innovation instead of fighting their stack. Because breakthrough AI should move at the speed of ideas, not infrastructure.
About the Role
We are looking for a motivated Security Engineer Intern to join our team. You won’t just be watching—you’ll be building. You will work with our teams to protect our systems and help launch a brand-new Threat Modeling Program from scratch.
What You’ll Do
Threat Modeling: Help us build a "blueprinting" program where we look at a system, figure out how a hacker might break in, and fix it before they ever try.
GRC Assistance: Learn how the "business" side of security works. This includes Risk Management (deciding which problems are the scariest), Audit (proving we are actually following security rules), and Governance (writing the "laws" of the company).
Hybrid Defense: Learn to secure "the Cloud" (internet-based systems) and "On-Premise" (the physical servers and hardware inside our Las Vegas data centers).
Solve Puzzles: Use Critical Thinking to find the root cause of network issues or security holes.
Automation: Write simple code (Bash, Python, PowerShell, etc.) to do your chores for you so you can focus on bigger problems.
Lab Testing: Use "hacker tools" in a safe lab environment to find vulnerabilities (weak spots) and suggest ways to patch them.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
Education & Experience: You must meet one of the following Nevada-based criteria:
2 years of hands-on experience in networking, security, or computer science AND currently enrolled in a Nevada higher education institution or trade school/certification program.
OR at least 2 years of college or trade school in Nevada, completed toward a degree/certificate in Computer Science, Networking, Programming, Cyber, or a similar field.
Self-Starter Attitude: You don't wait to be told what to do; you are motivated to learn new things and have a history of hitting goals you set for yourself.
Tech Basics: You know how computers talk to each other (Networking) and can write a basic script or program.
Hands-on Experience: You’ve spent time in "Labs"—whether that's network simulators, coding sites, or cybersecurity "capture the flag" platforms.
Teamwork: You know how to work with others, whether that was in sports, a college club, or a leadership role.
What We Offer
Paid internship experience
Founder and leadership speaker sessions
Dedicated mentorship and cross-functional networking
Industry and market education sessions
Career development workshops (resume review, mock interviews, interview prep)
Team-building events and intern socials
Lunch & Learns with company leaders
In-office perks including snacks and beverages
Equal Employment Opportunity
TensorWave is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under applicable law.
Reasonable Accommodations
TensorWave provides reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. If you require accommodation during the hiring process, please contact accomodations@tensorwave.com.
Employment Eligibility
All offers of employment are contingent upon verification of identity and authorization to work in the United States, as required by law.
Background Checks
Where permitted by law, employment may be contingent upon the successful completion of a job-related background check.
Data Privacy Notice
By submitting an application, you acknowledge that TensorWave may collect, use, and retain your personal information for recruiting and employment-related purposes in accordance with applicable data privacy laws.
Security Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your Security Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than the academic calendar suggests
Large employers, defense contractors, major tech companies, and financial institutions, open summer internship applications the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. If you wait until spring to start searching, the most structured programs are already closed. Set calendar reminders to check listings at the start of each semester.
Build a portfolio that gives recruiters something concrete to assess
Security engineer intern candidates who stand out have documented proof of technical work: a GitHub repository with security scripts or tooling, write-ups from Capture the Flag competitions, or a home lab walkthrough showing how you analyzed a threat or hardened a system. Two or three well-documented projects outperform a resume full of coursework listings.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied directly to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles appear publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time, many security teams hire one or two interns outside any formal university partnership, and those roles rarely reach campus boards.
Practice the security engineer technical screen before you apply
Security engineer intern screens typically combine a coding or scripting component with scenario-based questions: how you would respond to an alert, investigate a log, or design a basic control. Practice out loud, walking through your reasoning step by step, because interviewers weigh how you approach a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured security internship programs at larger employers
Many large tech companies, defense contractors, and financial institutions run cohort-based security internship programs designed to train people entering the field. These programs offer structured mentorship and defined project tracks, but they recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that match your background and apply in the first wave of each cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 29% of the security engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can actually commit to, relocation, commute, or fully remote, before you start applying. Filter by location and work type from the start so you are not spending time on roles you cannot take.
Security Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a security engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For security engineer candidates, the concrete artifact is a GitHub repository or documented lab writeup showing hands-on work with security tools and techniques. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a security 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 security engineer interns is performance on real work, completing assigned projects, contributing to the team's actual caseload, and fitting the team culture, alongside available headcount at the time offers go out. Position for a return offer by treating the internship like a long audition, without counting on the outcome.
When should I apply for security engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers, defense contractors, major tech firms, and financial institutions, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing applications before the calendar year ends. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly and set alerts so you catch roles as they open.
Are security engineer internships paid?
Most professional security 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. Structured programs at larger employers and government contractors tend to offer competitive compensation, while smaller companies and nonprofit organizations may offer stipends or academic credit in some cases.
What should a security engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools used, firewalls, SIEM platforms, penetration testing frameworks, scripting languages, and link to where the work lives, such as a GitHub repository or a write-up on a CTF (Capture the Flag) challenge. Add relevant coursework, certifications like CompTIA Security+, and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote security engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 71% of the security engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants nationally, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a DOD SkillBridge or cleared internship for security engineers?
Several defense contractors and federal agencies run cleared or clearance-track internship programs specifically for security engineer candidates, recruiting students with the academic background to eventually obtain a security clearance. These programs recruit early, are competitive, and often lead to full-time cleared roles. If you are pursuing a career in defense or government cybersecurity, identify these programs and apply in the first recruitment wave.
Can international students get security 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.
See All 25 Security Engineer Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Security Engineer Internships