Systems Engineer Internships
Systems 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, with Meta, Tesla, and Cisco among the employers posting roles now.
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Job Description
Description
GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)
To help facilitate administration of relocation benefits if you are selected, please apply using the permanent address you would move from.
Work Arrangement:
On-Site: This internship is categorized as on-site. The selected intern is expected to report to the office 5 days a week.
Locations:
Milford, Michigan
Warren, Michigan
About the Team:
The AV Systems, Sensing and Integration Team is responsible for developing, integrating, and validating cutting-edge assisted and automated driving capabilities across the entire vehicle lifecycle. Our organization delivers features end-to-end from early requirements and architectural design through full vehicle integration, calibration, validation, and global program launch. We combine deep expertise in sensor hardware, perception, software features, and vehicle systems engineering to ensure safe, reliable, and customer-delighting driving experiences.
What You Will Do:
We are hiring across multiple engineering and technical disciplines that collaborate and work with cross-functional teams. Opportunities available in systems engineering, technology development, system integration, automation and simulation development.
System Engineering
- Define use cases, feature & sensing system requirements, safety goals, performance metrics, and system interactions.
- Support system architecture development, including interface definitions and functional modeling.
- Collaborate with platform and software teams to integrate hardware and software subsystems.
- Prepare acceptance test plans ensuring open loop sensor performance.
- Defining dashboards and performing data mining activities and analytics Develop scripting to automate testing in-vehicle and on benches
Advanced Systems Integration
- Execute functional bring-up and system integration on development vehicles.
- Evaluate system interactions across compute platforms, ECUs, sensors, and actuators.
- Prepare and execute feature, sensor-level tests, and vehicle-level evaluation.
- Develop scripting to automate testing in-vehicle and on benches
- Develop calibrations both in vehicle and on the bench meet performance and regulatory requirements
- Execute performance and validation tests using simulation, bench (HIL/SIL) and on-road fleets.
- Document test results, consolidate findings, and support root-cause investigations.
Advanced Build
- Work with designers on advanced sensor placement on prototype vehicle
- Create build documentation and instructions for prototype builds
- Use advanced prototyping technologies to rapidly deploy design to vehicle builds
- Execute functional bring-up and system integration on development vehicles.
- Develop scripting to automate testing in-vehicle and on benches
- Prepare prototype parts, tools, fixtures, harnesses, and work areas for vehicle builds; help establish repeatable installation methods that improve build efficiency, quality, and safety
- Troubleshoot hardware and software interface problems across mechanical, electrical, controls, and systems domains.
Automation and simulation development
- Use simulation, modeling, and playback to replicate field issues and accelerate development cycles.
- Analyze system and sensor data to improve performance, robustness, and validation efficiency. Support creation of datasets, scenario libraries, and automated test pipelines on HIL & SIL.
-
What We’re Looking For:
- Strong interest in hardware and system design, automated testing, simulation, embedded systems, or related areas.
- Hands-on mindset: you enjoy building, testing, debugging, and learning through doing.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate findings clearly. Comfortable working in a team and able to manage multiple tasks towards a deliverable.
-
Required Qualifications:
- Pursuit of a Bachelor's or Master's degree in one of the following areas: Computer Science or Engineering (Electrical, Computer, Mechatronics, System Design, Mechanical, Chemical or equivalent)
- Must be graduating between December 2027 and August 2028
- Coursework or project experience in Python or Matlab or embedded microcontrollers. Able to work fulltime, 40 hours per week
Preferred Qualifications:
- Basic understanding of automotive control systems, ADAS features, sensors, or electronics.
- Familiarity with model-based design tools (MATLAB/Simulink) and communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet)
- Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python Intent to return to degree-program after the completion of the internship.
Compensation:
- The monthly salary range for this role is $8,100 – $8,700 per month GM will provide a one-time lump sum taxable stipend payment to eligible students selected for the 2027 Student Program.
What you’ll get from us (Benefits):
- Paid US GM Holidays
- GM Family First Vehicle Discount Program
- Result-based potential for growth within GM
- Intern events to network with company leaders and peers
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources .
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire .
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Job Description
Description
GM does not provide immigration-related sponsorship for this role. Do not apply for this role if you will need GM immigration sponsorship now or in the future. This includes direct company sponsorship, entry of GM as the immigration employer of record on a government form, and any work authorization requiring a written submission or other immigration support from the company (e.g., H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc.)
To help facilitate administration of relocation benefits if you are selected, please apply using the permanent address you would move from.
Work Arrangement:
On-Site: This internship is categorized as on-site. The selected intern is expected to report to the office 5 days a week.
Locations:
Milford, Michigan
Warren, Michigan
About the Team:
The AV Systems, Sensing and Integration Team is responsible for developing, integrating, and validating cutting-edge assisted and automated driving capabilities across the entire vehicle lifecycle. Our organization delivers features end-to-end from early requirements and architectural design through full vehicle integration, calibration, validation, and global program launch. We combine deep expertise in sensor hardware, perception, software features, and vehicle systems engineering to ensure safe, reliable, and customer-delighting driving experiences.
What You Will Do:
We are hiring across multiple engineering and technical disciplines that collaborate and work with cross-functional teams. Opportunities available in systems engineering, technology development, system integration, automation and simulation development.
System Engineering
- Define use cases, feature & sensing system requirements, safety goals, performance metrics, and system interactions.
- Support system architecture development, including interface definitions and functional modeling.
- Collaborate with platform and software teams to integrate hardware and software subsystems.
- Prepare acceptance test plans ensuring open loop sensor performance.
- Defining dashboards and performing data mining activities and analytics Develop scripting to automate testing in-vehicle and on benches
Advanced Systems Integration
- Execute functional bring-up and system integration on development vehicles.
- Evaluate system interactions across compute platforms, ECUs, sensors, and actuators.
- Prepare and execute feature, sensor-level tests, and vehicle-level evaluation.
- Develop scripting to automate testing in-vehicle and on benches
- Develop calibrations both in vehicle and on the bench meet performance and regulatory requirements
- Execute performance and validation tests using simulation, bench (HIL/SIL) and on-road fleets.
- Document test results, consolidate findings, and support root-cause investigations.
Advanced Build
- Work with designers on advanced sensor placement on prototype vehicle
- Create build documentation and instructions for prototype builds
- Use advanced prototyping technologies to rapidly deploy design to vehicle builds
- Execute functional bring-up and system integration on development vehicles.
- Develop scripting to automate testing in-vehicle and on benches
- Prepare prototype parts, tools, fixtures, harnesses, and work areas for vehicle builds; help establish repeatable installation methods that improve build efficiency, quality, and safety
- Troubleshoot hardware and software interface problems across mechanical, electrical, controls, and systems domains.
Automation and simulation development
- Use simulation, modeling, and playback to replicate field issues and accelerate development cycles.
- Analyze system and sensor data to improve performance, robustness, and validation efficiency. Support creation of datasets, scenario libraries, and automated test pipelines on HIL & SIL.
-
What We’re Looking For:
- Strong interest in hardware and system design, automated testing, simulation, embedded systems, or related areas.
- Hands-on mindset: you enjoy building, testing, debugging, and learning through doing.
- Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to communicate findings clearly. Comfortable working in a team and able to manage multiple tasks towards a deliverable.
-
Required Qualifications:
- Pursuit of a Bachelor's or Master's degree in one of the following areas: Computer Science or Engineering (Electrical, Computer, Mechatronics, System Design, Mechanical, Chemical or equivalent)
- Must be graduating between December 2027 and August 2028
- Coursework or project experience in Python or Matlab or embedded microcontrollers. Able to work fulltime, 40 hours per week
Preferred Qualifications:
- Basic understanding of automotive control systems, ADAS features, sensors, or electronics.
- Familiarity with model-based design tools (MATLAB/Simulink) and communication protocols (CAN, LIN, Ethernet)
- Proficiency in scripting languages such as Python Intent to return to degree-program after the completion of the internship.
Compensation:
- The monthly salary range for this role is $8,100 – $8,700 per month GM will provide a one-time lump sum taxable stipend payment to eligible students selected for the 2027 Student Program.
What you’ll get from us (Benefits):
- Paid US GM Holidays
- GM Family First Vehicle Discount Program
- Result-based potential for growth within GM
- Intern events to network with company leaders and peers
About GM
Our vision is a world with Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions and Zero Congestion and we embrace the responsibility to lead the change that will make our world better, safer and more equitable for all.
Why Join Us
We believe we all must make a choice every day – individually and collectively – to drive meaningful change through our words, our deeds and our culture. Every day, we want every employee to feel they belong to one General Motors team.
Benefits Overview
From day one, we're looking out for your well-being–at work and at home–so you can focus on realizing your ambitions. Learn how GM supports a rewarding career that rewards you personally by visiting Total Rewards resources .
Non-Discrimination and Equal Employment Opportunities (U.S.)
General Motors is committed to being a workplace that is not only free of unlawful discrimination, but one that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. We strongly believe that providing an inclusive workplace creates an environment in which our employees can thrive and develop better products for our customers.
All employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis without regard to sex, race, color, national origin, citizenship status, religion, age, disability, pregnancy or maternity status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran or protected veteran, or any other similarly protected status in accordance with federal, state and local laws.
We encourage interested candidates to review the key responsibilities and qualifications for each role and apply for any positions that match their skills and capabilities. Applicants in the recruitment process may be required, where applicable, to successfully complete a role-related assessment(s) and/or a pre-employment screening prior to beginning employment. To learn more, visit How we Hire .
Accommodations
General Motors offers opportunities to all job seekers including individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, email us or call us at 1-800-865-7580. In your email, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.
Systems Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Food & Beverage
Tips for Your Systems Engineer Internship Search
Start your search in the fall for summer roles
Large aerospace, defense, and technology employers recruit summer systems engineer interns the preceding fall, with some application windows closing in October or November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so checking the listings regularly throughout the year covers both recruiting cycles.
Build a portfolio that shows systems-level work
Without an extensive work history, documented projects are your strongest credential. Put together two or three completed projects that demonstrate requirements analysis, architecture decisions, or integration work, include the tools you used, what problem you solved, and a link to code repositories or technical write-ups recruiters can review.
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 campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never appear on university job boards.
Practice your technical screen out loud before you apply
Systems engineer intern interviews typically involve a technical screen covering systems design, requirements decomposition, or trade-off analysis, some roles add a software or controls component. Practice explaining your reasoning as you work through problems, not just arriving at an answer, since interviewers weigh how you think as much as the final solution.
Target structured internship programs built for new engineers
Many large employers run cohort or rotational programs specifically designed to develop early-career systems engineers, rotating interns through multiple teams or domains across a single summer. These programs recruit early and fill fast, so identify the ones that fit your background and apply in the first wave rather than waiting for a second round.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 45% of the systems engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, relocation, a local commute, or fully remote, before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type up front on Migrate Mate saves time and keeps you focused on roles you can actually accept.
Systems Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a systems engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited professional experience at the intern level. A portfolio of documented systems or integration projects gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications to companies running smaller cohorts with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a systems 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 your performance on real project work, whether the team has open headcount at the end of your term, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position for a return offer by delivering on your assigned work, but keep applying to other roles in parallel.
When should I apply for systems engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large defense contractors, aerospace firms, and tech companies recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often with deadlines in October or November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round, checking regularly rather than waiting for a single recruiting season covers both cycles.
Are systems engineer internships paid?
Most professional systems 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 internships exist but are uncommon at established technology, defense, and engineering employers.
What should a systems engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that show systems integration, requirements analysis, or architecture work, list the tools and frameworks used and link to any supporting code repositories, technical write-ups, or design artifacts. Add relevant coursework in systems engineering, controls, or software, and keep the whole resume to one page.
Are there remote systems engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 55% of the systems engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts tend to fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get systems 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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