System Design Engineer Internships
System design 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 Meta, TikTok, and United States Alliance Fire Protection among the employers posting roles now.
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Showing 5 of 7+ System Design Engineer Internships
Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with researchers and cross-functional partners including communicating research plans, progress, and results.
- Publish research results and contribute to research that can be applied to Meta product development.
- Develop next generation AR/VR displays with an emphasis on advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and understand the perceptual impact of those concepts.
- Collaborate with larger Meta Reality Labs Research team to explore novel solution space for AR/VR devices.
- Explore the application of at least one of the following: geometrical optics, diffraction optics, polarization optics, illumination, optical system design.
- This position will have an emphasis of advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and the perceptual impact of those concepts.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must obtain work authorization in country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment
- 2+ years experience in at least one of the following areas of optical research: physical optics, geometry optics, aberration theory, optical system prototyping, light transport and rendering
- 2+ years experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, and Mathematica)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience developing GPU-accelerated simulation or rendering tools (e.g., CUDA, OptiX, compute shaders, or similar)
- Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment
- Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences
- 2+ years of experience in system-level prototyping work, including hands-on prototyping of bench-top optical components
- Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as JOSA, SPIE, OSA, IEEE, CLEO, or similar
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$7,650/month to $12,667/month + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) Responsibilities:
- Collaborate with researchers and cross-functional partners including communicating research plans, progress, and results.
- Publish research results and contribute to research that can be applied to Meta product development.
- Develop next generation AR/VR displays with an emphasis on advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and understand the perceptual impact of those concepts.
- Collaborate with larger Meta Reality Labs Research team to explore novel solution space for AR/VR devices.
- Explore the application of at least one of the following: geometrical optics, diffraction optics, polarization optics, illumination, optical system design.
- This position will have an emphasis of advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and the perceptual impact of those concepts.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Must obtain work authorization in country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment
- 2+ years experience in at least one of the following areas of optical research: physical optics, geometry optics, aberration theory, optical system prototyping, light transport and rendering
- 2+ years experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, and Mathematica)
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience developing GPU-accelerated simulation or rendering tools (e.g., CUDA, OptiX, compute shaders, or similar)
- Experience working and communicating cross functionally in a team environment
- Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences
- 2+ years of experience in system-level prototyping work, including hands-on prototyping of bench-top optical components
- Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as JOSA, SPIE, OSA, IEEE, CLEO, or similar
About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$7,650/month to $12,667/month + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.
System Design Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
Tips for Your System Design Engineer Internship Search
Apply months before your target start date
Large employers close their summer system design engineer internship cohorts as early as the preceding fall. Smaller companies and co-op programs recruit on shorter timelines, so new roles appear year-round. Starting your search well ahead of when you want to begin puts you in front of the widest set of open cohorts.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
At the intern level, documented project work carries more weight than a sparse work history. For system design engineer candidates, that means a linked code repository, a published system architecture write-up, or annotated design files that show how you approached a real problem. Recruiters need something concrete to assess.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
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 at the same time widens the pool you reach beyond what your campus alone surfaces.
Practice your interview screen out loud before applying
System design engineer intern screens typically involve a technical problem-solving component focused on design tradeoffs, data structures, or systems architecture, depending on the team. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud while you work through problems, not just arriving at an answer, since interviewers weigh your thinking process as much as the solution.
Target structured rotational and university programs early
Many large engineering and technology employers run dedicated intern cohort programs built to train people new to the field. These programs recruit on a fixed calendar, often months ahead of general postings, and fill fast. Identify the structured programs that match your background and apply in the first wave of their recruiting cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 67% of the system design engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you begin sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you're only spending time on roles you can actually accept.
System Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a system design engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For system design engineer candidates, a linked repository or documented design artifact gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Apply directly to companies while also attending campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a system design 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 for system design engineer interns is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and understanding when return-offer decisions are made. Position for one by treating every deliverable seriously, but don't count on conversion when evaluating whether to accept an offer.
When should I apply for system design engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing their cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly rather than waiting for a single seasonal push gives you access to the full range of programs.
Are system design engineer internships paid?
Most professional system design engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, so there's no single standard. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it. Unpaid internships exist but are uncommon at established technology and engineering employers.
What should a system design engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and frameworks you used, with links to code repositories, design files, or CAD portfolios so reviewers can assess your work directly. Add relevant coursework beneath your projects and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote system design engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 33% of the system design engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get system design 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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