Staff AI Engineer Internships
Staff ai 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 Energy, Food & Beverage, and Technology & Software, with Cook, V2X, and Bosch among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Staff AI Engineer Internships
Do you want to learn more on how to best defend the United States, our armed forces, and our allies from all forms of air and missile threats?
If you are pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or a similar major and want to work in an exciting and collaborative environment to solve challenging technical problems, we'd love to have you join our team.
We are seeking an innovative and highly talented intern to join our Information Fusion and Artificial Intelligence Group. You will be joining a team of engineers and scientists who are at the forefront of APL's mission to provide innovative solutions to critical challenges. Accurate, timely, and actionable information derived from a variety of sources provides the warfighter advantages over its adversaries. Our group at APL identifies, develops, and applies efficient and effective algorithms to support critical capabilities for a variety of DoD missions.
As an intern, you will apply math, engineering, computer science, and physics knowledge to implement new distributed algorithms, advanced Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning techniques, data fusion concepts, etc. in support of a wide variety of US Navy, Missile Defense, and Air Force systems.
As a member of our team...
- You will research, implement, prototype, and analyze algorithms, quantify and document the performance capabilities and limitations of algorithms for specific tasks, and provide metrics of robustness and confidence in specific approaches.
- You will interact with large data sets of various types, formats, and structures for algorithm training and testing, data cleaning, pre-processing, normalization, or manipulation as needed.
- You will create, develop, and debug code to contribute to various multi-user software test beds.
- You will create effective visualizations and documentation to explain complex topics to a variety of audiences.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
- Are pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or similar degrees with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Are fluent in Python or C/C++, with the ability to translate mathematical concepts into well-documented and efficient code
- Have a desire to apply software engineering techniques to complex problems
- Have good written and verbal communication skills
- Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
- Are pursuing a PhD degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or similar degrees with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Have basic knowledge in AI/ML or have taken AI/ML courses
- Have basic knowledge in Autonomy, or have taken Autonomy courses
- Have prior experience deploying AI/ML or Autonomy algorithms on edge compute devices
- Have prior experience developing AI/ML algorithms, used Generative AI or LLMs
- Have demonstrated experience in working with version control software like Git
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$22.60 Hourly
Maximum Rate
$47.95 Hourly
Do you want to learn more on how to best defend the United States, our armed forces, and our allies from all forms of air and missile threats?
If you are pursuing a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or a similar major and want to work in an exciting and collaborative environment to solve challenging technical problems, we'd love to have you join our team.
We are seeking an innovative and highly talented intern to join our Information Fusion and Artificial Intelligence Group. You will be joining a team of engineers and scientists who are at the forefront of APL's mission to provide innovative solutions to critical challenges. Accurate, timely, and actionable information derived from a variety of sources provides the warfighter advantages over its adversaries. Our group at APL identifies, develops, and applies efficient and effective algorithms to support critical capabilities for a variety of DoD missions.
As an intern, you will apply math, engineering, computer science, and physics knowledge to implement new distributed algorithms, advanced Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning techniques, data fusion concepts, etc. in support of a wide variety of US Navy, Missile Defense, and Air Force systems.
As a member of our team...
- You will research, implement, prototype, and analyze algorithms, quantify and document the performance capabilities and limitations of algorithms for specific tasks, and provide metrics of robustness and confidence in specific approaches.
- You will interact with large data sets of various types, formats, and structures for algorithm training and testing, data cleaning, pre-processing, normalization, or manipulation as needed.
- You will create, develop, and debug code to contribute to various multi-user software test beds.
- You will create effective visualizations and documentation to explain complex topics to a variety of audiences.
Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
- Are pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or similar degrees with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Are fluent in Python or C/C++, with the ability to translate mathematical concepts into well-documented and efficient code
- Have a desire to apply software engineering techniques to complex problems
- Have good written and verbal communication skills
- Are able to obtain an Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship
You'll go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
- Are pursuing a PhD degree in Computer Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, or similar degrees with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Have basic knowledge in AI/ML or have taken AI/ML courses
- Have basic knowledge in Autonomy, or have taken Autonomy courses
- Have prior experience deploying AI/ML or Autonomy algorithms on edge compute devices
- Have prior experience developing AI/ML algorithms, used Generative AI or LLMs
- Have demonstrated experience in working with version control software like Git
About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation’s most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL’s campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL’s good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$22.60 Hourly
Maximum Rate
$47.95 Hourly
Staff AI Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Energy
- Food & Beverage
- Technology & Software
- Marketing & Advertising
Tips for Your Staff AI Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large employers recruit summer staff ai engineer interns the preceding fall, with some cohorts closing before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear throughout the year. Set a recurring reminder to check listings every few weeks rather than waiting for a single application season.
Build a portfolio before you need one
Intern hiring teams for staff ai engineer roles expect limited work history. What they can assess is a GitHub repository with two or three complete projects that document your problem statement, the models or algorithms used, and results. A linked, readable project is more persuasive than a long list of coursework alone.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus career fairs surface structured intern 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 campus activity reaches a wider pool and reduces your dependence on any single channel.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Staff ai engineer intern interviews typically include a coding screen covering data structures, algorithms, and machine learning fundamentals. Practice solving problems aloud and explaining your reasoning step by step, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured internship pipelines early
Many large technology and research employers run dedicated AI or machine learning intern cohorts designed to train people new to the field. These programs recruit on a fixed calendar, often months before the start date, and fill in the first application wave. Identify the programs that fit your background and apply as soon as they open.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 20% of the staff ai engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type at the start means you spend your time on roles you can actually take, not ruling them out after reading the full description.
Staff AI Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a staff ai engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history. Hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level, so a GitHub repository with documented AI or ML projects 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 staff ai 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 consistent performance on real work, available headcount on the team, and return-offer timelines that often come before the internship ends. Position for a return offer by delivering on your project scope, but don't count on it as a given.
When should I apply for staff ai engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large tech and enterprise employers open summer internship applications the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you won't miss an early cohort that fills before spring.
Are staff ai engineer internships paid?
Most professional staff ai 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 arrangements are uncommon for technical roles at established companies and are more typical of academic research placements.
What should a staff ai engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and frameworks used and link directly to the work, such as a GitHub repository, a published model card, or a deployed demo. Add relevant coursework in machine learning, statistics, or systems. Keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote staff ai engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 80% of the staff ai engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote intern cohorts fill quickly because they draw applicants from across the country. Apply early and filter by work type to see those openings before they close.
Can international students get staff ai 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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