16 Best Engineering Internships for International Students in Canada 2026
Engineering Internships for International Students in Canada 2026
Why do engineering internships in Canada?
Canada is home to large R&D centres, aerospace & automotive manufacturers, infrastructure consultancies, and energy firms that hire international students for paid co-ops and summer internships. Many programs are posted via company career sites and university co-op portals—apply early and contact your campus co-op office for application support and work-permit letters.
Top Engineering Internships & Co-ops Recruiting for 2026
Quick tip: Large engineering employers and consultancies post co-op/intern roles on company career pages and university portals. Many Summer 2026 roles are posted Aug–Nov 2025; co-op windows vary by school.
1) Pratt & Whitney Canada — Intern & Co-op Programs
Overview: Aerospace manufacturer offering internships in manufacturing engineering, mechanical, materials, quality and product definition.
Qualifications: Enrolled in engineering or technical programs; relevant coursework; eligible to work in Canada for the placement (co-op or scheduled break).
Timeline: Typical terms begin May/Aug; Fall/Winter co-ops posted Aug–Nov 2025 for 2026 terms—check the careers page for exact postings.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site (factory / R&D centres). Locations: Longueuil / Greater Montréal area (QC) and other sites.
2) Bombardier — Engineering Co-ops & Internships
Overview: Aerospace engineering placements across design, manufacturing, systems and supply chain roles.
Qualifications: Engineering students (aerospace, mechanical, electrical); academic standing; co-op/placement eligibility.
Timeline: Seasonal postings (Summer/Fall/Winter); Summer 2026 roles usually post Aug–Nov 2025.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site. Locations: Greater Montréal & other sites.
3) Hatch — Student & New Graduate Co-ops (Mining, Infrastructure, Process)
Overview: Global engineering consultancy with paid co-ops in mining, metallurgical, chemical, civil and process engineering.
Qualifications: Undergraduate or grad students in relevant engineering disciplines; strong academic record.
Timeline: Many positions routed through university co-op portals; corporate postings appear year-round—largest intake for summer co-ops is Aug–Nov 2025.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site / hybrid depending on project. Locations: Offices across Canada (Mississauga, Vancouver, Montreal, etc.).
4) AtkinsRéalis / SNC-Lavalin — Intern & Co-op Roles (Civil, Mechanical, Electrical)
Overview: Large engineering & project delivery firm offering student placements in civil/infrastructure, power, environmental and buildings.
Qualifications: Engineering students in relevant streams; co-op-eligible programs preferred.
Timeline: Rolling postings; summer/co-op roles commonly posted in fall for 2026 placements.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site/hybrid. Locations: Canada-wide (head offices in Montreal, Toronto, Calgary).
5) WSP — Summer Interns & Co-ops (Multiple Disciplines)
Overview: Global professional services firm hiring engineering interns in transportation, structures, MEP, environmental and geotechnical.
Qualifications: Engineering students (civil, mechanical, electrical, environmental); strong communication and technical foundations.
Timeline: Summer 2026 roles typically posted Aug–Nov 2025; co-op schedules vary by campus.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site/hybrid. Locations: Offices across Canada.
6) Stantec — Student Positions & Co-ops (Civil, Structural, MEP)
Overview: Engineering & design firm with co-op and intern roles in infrastructure, water, buildings and energy projects.
Qualifications: Enrolled engineering student; project/team collaboration skills.
Timeline: Co-op postings align with university terms; summer roles posted Aug–Nov 2025.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site/hybrid. Locations: Canada-wide.
7) Kiewit (Canada) — Civil/Construction Interns & Co-ops
Overview: Heavy civil and construction firm hiring engineering students for field and office placements (construction management, site engineering).
Qualifications: Civil/construction engineering students; safety certifications sometimes required.
Timeline: Field placements posted seasonally—check regional career pages starting late 2025 for 2026 projects.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site (field). Locations: Project sites across Canada.
8) Kinectrics — Electrical/Power Engineering Co-ops
Overview: Testing, laboratory and engineering services for electricity sector—regularly hires students in electrical, mechanical and materials engineering.
Qualifications: Engineering students with interest in power systems, testing, laboratory work.
Timeline: Co-op openings posted via career pages and university portals—watch for Fall 2025 postings for 2026 placements.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site/lab-based. Locations: Toronto, ON and other locations.
9) BCI (British Columbia Infrastructure) / Local Engineering Firms — Co-ops
Overview: Regional engineering and infrastructure firms in BC hire co-op students for structural, civil and municipal engineering projects.
Qualifications: Engineering students in civil, structural, environmental programs.
Timeline: Co-op and internship windows vary by employer—check local career pages and college/university portals.
Paid? Yes (usually hourly). Mode: On-site/hybrid. Locations: Victoria, Vancouver & surrounding areas.
10) Hydro-Québec — Engineering Co-ops & Internships (Power Systems)
Overview: Power generation & transmission company offering internships in electrical, civil & systems engineering and research.
Qualifications: Engineering students (electrical, civil, mechanical); French may be an asset for Quebec postings.
Timeline: Seasonal postings; university career sites & Hydro-Québec careers list openings for summer and co-op terms.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site. Locations: Quebec locations (various).
11) Ontario Power Generation (OPG) — Student Programs
Overview: Internships/co-ops in nuclear, mechanical, electrical, and civil engineering disciplines; includes lab and plant placements.
Qualifications: Engineering students; security & health clearances may apply for certain sites.
Timeline: Annual student recruitment cycles—Summer/Co-op roles advertised late 2025 for 2026.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site. Locations: Ontario power generation facilities.
12) Magna International — Automotive Engineering Interns
Overview: Automotive supplier hiring interns in mechanical, manufacturing and electrical systems engineering.
Qualifications: Engineering students in mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, manufacturing engineering.
Timeline: Manufacturing co-ops and summer internships posted seasonally—watch Aug–Nov 2025 for Summer 2026 intake.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site. Locations: Automotive hubs (Ontario and others).
13) Siemens Canada — Internships & Co-ops (Energy & Automation)
Overview: Interns in automation, energy, electrical and mechanical systems—often through campus recruiting and co-op partnerships.
Qualifications: Engineering students; interest in industrial automation, energy systems or manufacturing.
Timeline: Roles posted year-round; campus recruiting spikes Aug–Nov.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site/hybrid. Locations: Across Canada.
14) BlackBerry QNX / Software & Embedded Systems Internships
Overview: Internships in embedded software, automotive OS, cybersecurity and systems engineering.
Qualifications: Computer/electrical/software engineering students with embedded systems knowledge.
Timeline: Summer/co-op postings commonly appear Aug–Nov 2025 for Summer 2026; also posted year-round.
Paid? Yes. Mode: On-site/hybrid. Locations: Ottawa, Waterloo and other tech hubs.
15) Mitacs & University Research Engineering Internships
Overview: Mitacs Globalink and university summer research assistantships offer engineering research internships (mechanical, electrical, materials, civil design projects) at Canadian universities.
Qualifications: Strong academics, research interest; undergraduate or graduate students.
Timeline: Mitacs Globalink applications usually close mid-September (for the following summer); university RA positions posted on faculty pages in Fall/Winter.
Paid? Yes (stipend or research funding). Mode: On-site. Locations: Universities across Canada.
Mitacs Globalink Research Internship (engineering projects) •
Mitacs home
How international students should apply — quick checklist
- Confirm whether the internship is a mandatory co-op (requires co-op work permit) or an extracurricular summer placement (may be permitted on your study permit during scheduled breaks). For IRCC guidance, consult the official site and your university co-op office.
- Monitor company career pages and your university’s co-op portal (major employers often post there first).
- Prepare a Canadian-style résumé and technical portfolio/GitHub for software or design roles.
- Apply early—large employers recruit Aug–Nov 2025 for Summer 2026; co-op windows vary by school.