16 Best Internships for International Students in USA Engineering 2026
Internships for International Students in USA Engineering
Are you an international student seeking engineering internships in the United States? This guide highlights top-tier opportunities—from aerospace to sustainable infrastructure—helping you navigate official programs, eligibility, stipend details, locations, and application periods. Each internship below includes an external link to the provider’s official page and the key details you need. You can explore related posts on Remote Internships, Online Paid Internships, Computer Science Internships, and others in the series.
Top Engineering Internship Opportunities
- Intern Abroad HQ – Engineering Internships
Description: Remote or abroad internships tailored for engineering students with academic credit available.
Requirements: Engineering student status, proof of enrollment, possibly language depending on location.
Paid/Stipend: Varies by program; some include stipends.
Location: Global (remote or overseas).
Timeline: Rolling applications—check individual listings. - WashU International Student Research Internship
Description: Summer research opportunities for engineering international students at Washington University in St. Louis with stipend and J-1 visa support.
Requirements: Enrolled in undergrad engineering program, strong academic record.
Paid/Stipend: ~$7,200 plus housing.
Location: St. Louis, MO.
Timeline: Apply early in fall for the following summer. - Booz Allen Hamilton Engineering Internship
Description: Management and technology consulting projects, including cybersecurity and systems integration.
Requirements: Engineering or IT background, analytical and communication skills.
Paid/Stipend: Paid, duration 12–14 weeks.
Location: USA (various offices).
Timeline: Application opens in September. - Cummins Engineering Internship
Description: Work on advanced powertrain solutions with a focus on sustainability.
Requirements: Mechanical, automotive, or electrical engineering students with a passion for sustainable technologies.
Paid/Stipend: Paid; duration 10–12 weeks.
Location: USA.
Timeline: Apply from October for next summer. - FactSet Software Engineering Internship
Description: Projects in financial analytics, data visualization, and software engineering.
Requirements: Computer science or engineering students with strong coding and problem-solving skills.
Paid/Stipend: Paid; duration 12–16 weeks.
Location: USA.
Timeline: Applications begin in September. - Lockheed Martin Internship Program
Description: Aerospace and defense engineering projects with relocation support.
Requirements: Engineering students (BS/MS) with relevant technical skills.
Paid/Stipend: Paid hourly, housing/relocation assistance.
Location: USA.
Timeline: Apply in fall for summer internships. - U.S. Department of State Internship Programs
Description: Includes the Student Internship Program and Foreign Service Internship—paid opportunities in Washington and abroad.
Requirements: U.S. citizenship required.
Paid/Stipend: Paid.
Location: Washington, D.C., and global diplomatic posts.
Timeline: Varies. - CPT/OPT Engineering Internship Routes
Description: F-1 visa students employ Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) to engage in internships.
Requirements: F-1 visa status, school approval.
Paid/Stipend: Depends on employer.
Location: USA.
Timeline: Varies with school and job offer. - Global Penn State Engineering Internships
Description: Unpaid but credit-bearing placements in global cities like Seoul, Dublin, Rome, and Cape Town.
Requirements: Engineering student status.
Paid/Stipend: Unpaid.
Location: Global.
Timeline: Apply through Penn State’s global office. - IBM Extreme Blue Internship
Description: Elite internship and fast-track for IBM employment; high competition.
Requirements: U.S. and international engineering students (undergrad/grad).
Paid/Stipend: Paid.
Location: Worldwide, including U.S.
Timeline: Apply fall/winter. - Outreachy (Open Source Engineering Internships)
Description: Paid remote internships in open-source software projects, targeting underrepresented groups.
Requirements: Over 18, belonging to specified underrepresented groups.
Paid/Stipend: Paid with travel allowance (~$500).
Location: Remote.
Timeline: Biannual rounds—mid-year and end-of-year. - IAESTE Engineering Internships
Description: Paid technical internships in over 80 countries, open to international and U.S. engineering students.
Requirements: Enrolled student in engineering.
Paid/Stipend: Covers living expenses.
Location: Global.
Timeline: Varies by country. - GE Engineering Internships
Description: Industrial engineering, energy, manufacturing projects with global internship options.
Requirements: Engineering students (undergrad or grad).
Paid/Stipend: Paid.
Location: USA and global sites.
Timeline: Apply fall for next summer. - MIT Summer Research Program (MSRP)
Description: Fully funded research internships at MIT summer labs.
Requirements: Undergraduate STEM juniors or seniors.
Paid/Stipend: Travel, housing, meals, ~$6,000 stipend.
Location: Cambridge, MA.
Timeline: Apply by late January or early February. - Amgen Scholars Program
Description: Full funding at MIT, Stanford, Harvard for life sciences and biomedical research.
Requirements: Undergrad in life science or relevant STEM.
Paid/Stipend: Travel, housing, meals, stipend.
Location: Various U.S. universities.
Timeline: Varies—typically fall or winter. - Caltech SURF
Description: Research under faculty mentors in STEM fields.
Requirements: Undergrads in STEM.
Paid/Stipend: Travel, housing, stipend.
Location: Pasadena, CA.
Timeline: Apply winter.
FAQs
1. Can international students do paid internships in the U.S.?
Yes—many of the listed programs are paid or funded, such as WashU’s research internship, Cummins, IBM Extreme Blue, and university-sponsored programs like MIT MSRP or Amgen Scholars. Visa-compliant pathways like CPT or OPT enable students to legally work.
2. What visa regulations apply to engineering internships?
International students on F-1 visas can intern through CPT or OPT. Use CPT if it’s part of your curriculum; OPT applies before or after graduation. J-1 visa opportunities (like WashU’s) are another route.
3. How do I choose among these internship types?
Consider your goals: corporate experience (e.g., IBM, Cummins), research exposure (e.g., MIT MSRP, Amgen Scholars), or hands-on global projects (e.g., Intern Abroad HQ, IAESTE). Match your area of study and visa eligibility to the opportunity timeline.
4. When should I apply for summer internships?
Typically between fall and early winter (September to February). For example:
- Booz Allen Hamilton: applies from September
- Cummins: applications in October
- MIT MSRP: deadlines around late January to February
5. Are these positions open to undergraduate and graduate students?
Most are open to both—like WashU’s, MIT MSRP, IBM Extreme Blue—though some (e.g., Amgen Scholars, Caltech SURF) target undergrads. Always check program eligibility criteria carefully.
6. Can I receive academic credit?
Yes—programs like Global Penn State or Intern Abroad HQ frequently offer credit options, while CPT-based internships can count toward your curriculum. Confirm with your university before applying.
