In high school, summers are a time when you can get a break from school and academics. However, summers can be so much more than that: engineering internships for high school students in nyc can help you learn beyond the syllabus and challenge yourself through real-world experience. Doing so can contribute to personal development, help you find new interests, and improve your college applications.

Envision contributing to the structural integrity of New York City’s skyline, developing smart-city sensors in a Brooklyn lab, or working with global peers on cutting-edge robotics. These experiences are more than just job shadowing; they immerse you in problem-solving that blends academic ideas with practical, industry-grade discovery.

Even if you live in New York City, an internship can still shift your perspective. You’ll work with industry professionals, see familiar urban challenges through a technical lens, and get a realistic glimpse of university life at places like NYU or Columbia.

What kinds of engineering internships in NYC for high school students are there?

Finding good, useful internships can be difficult. You don’t want to end up with a program that only involves administrative tasks, or one that ignores the academic rigor of the field entirely. That’s where the right guidance matters, because not all opportunities are the same.

Various New York universities, city agencies, and private institutes offer programs focusing on civil, mechanical, biomedical, and electrical engineering. You could deep-dive into an existing interest or explore a newfound passion for sustainable design. You will be taught by expert faculty and industry mentors, participate in hands-on lab work, and connect with like-minded peers.

No matter what the program, you will be putting in your best effort. To ease the process and help you choose, we’ve crafted a list of 12 Engineering Internships in NYC for high school students. We picked these for their academic value, work-learn components, and professional reputation.

To build the skills for an engineering internship, you can pursue summer engineering programs in the US, or, for more options, have a look at online engineering programs. 

15 Engineering Internships in NYC for High School Students

1. NYC Industry Scholars Program – Engineering, Architecture & Robotics Track

Location: New York City public or partner worksites
Cost: Free; paid internship for NYC public high school students
Program Dates: Six weeks in summer
Application Deadline: Varies by school year and district cycle
Eligibility: NYC high school students ages 16-18

This paid work-based learning internship, coordinated through the New York City Department of Education, places you directly inside real engineering workplaces, making it one of the most practical engineering internships for high school students in NYC. Instead of simulated classroom projects, you’ll contribute to active teams in fields such as engineering, architecture, or robotics. Your responsibilities may include assisting with design tasks, organising technical documentation, supporting data management, and contributing to applied problem-solving efforts.

Throughout the experience, you’ll develop professional skills that extend beyond technical knowledge, including teamwork, communication, and workplace accountability. You’ll observe how engineering teams collaborate, how project workflows are structured, and how technical decisions are evaluated in real time. Many placements include mentorship from industry professionals, helping you clarify academic pathways and better understand future opportunities in applied STEM careers.

Why it stands out: You work in real engineering and design workplaces as a paid intern, contributing to active projects rather than simulated classroom exercises.

2. Immerse Education’s NYC Engineering Summer School

Location: Barnard College, Columbia University, New York
Cost: Varies; summer school scholarship available through our bursary programme
Application Deadline: Multiple summer cohorts with rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Eligibility: High school students worldwide aged 15-18 

The Career Insights Program lets high school students explore careers in major global industry hubs. The Engineering track in New York is designed on the practical application of engineering principles through interactive, hands-on workshops and site visits to major industry hubs. 

Participants engage in project-based learning with established companies, attend interactive workshops, and visit offices, factories, and headquarters. The program also includes in-person weekly 1:1 career coaching sessions and sessions where you will receive personalized feedback on your resume and overall profile. You’ll also present your findings to industry experts at the end of the program. You can find more details about the application here!

Why it stands out: You combine hands-on engineering workshops with direct exposure to global companies, capped by personalized career coaching and an industry-facing final presentation.

3. Biorocket Research Internship Program at Genspace

Location: Genspace, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: No cost; $2,000 stipend provided
Program Dates: February 25th – May 21st (Spring), July 6th – August 14th (Summer)
Application Deadline: Rolling basis
Eligibility: High school students aged 16+ in the NYC area

This internship blends engineering and biotechnology to give you hands-on research experience in a professional laboratory setting. You’ll work alongside scientists and engineers on applied projects such as biosensor development, water purification systems, and other biotechnology-driven solutions.

Throughout the program, you’ll use laboratory equipment, collect and analyze data, and apply the scientific method to real research questions. You’ll build foundational lab skills, practice experimental design, and learn how to document results with accuracy and precision. As you engage in interdisciplinary projects, you’ll see how engineering principles intersect with biology, chemistry, and environmental science. 

Why it stands out: You gain extended, hands-on experience in a functioning biotech lab, working on interdisciplinary projects that blend engineering principles with real biological research.

4. Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) – Engineering Placements

Location: New York City (various host sites)
Cost: Paid internship ($17 per hour)
Program Dates: Summer (typically 6-8 weeks)
Application Deadline: 27th February
Eligibility: NYC teens 14- 24, including high school students

The Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) offers you a paid work experience across a wide range of industries, including roles connected to technology, design, and engineering. While the program is not exclusively engineering-focused, many placements expose you to applied technology, infrastructure support, data handling, digital design, or technical operations.

In your role, you’ll gain hands-on workplace experience while building foundational professional skills such as problem-solving, teamwork, communication, and time management. You’ll work under professional supervision and observe how organizations function within technical, project-based environments.

Why it stands out: You earn paid professional experience across diverse technical environments, making it a flexible entry point into engineering-adjacent roles at scale.

5. Columbia University Engineering Lab Internships (via Outreach Partners)

Location: Columbia University, NYC
Cost: $17 per hour
Program Dates: July 6th – August 13th
Application Deadline: February 27th
Eligibility: High school students with strong STEM interests; open to international students

Columbia Engineering partners with nonprofit organizations to offer high school students supervised laboratory internships focused on applied engineering research. Interns assist with ongoing projects in areas such as materials testing, computing, data analysis, and systems design, working under the guidance of graduate students and research staff. Responsibilities may include supporting experiments, maintaining research documentation, and contributing to preliminary analysis tasks.

The program provides exposure to academic engineering research environments and introduces students to structured lab workflows and professional research standards. These internships are typically facilitated through partner organizations and may require separate application processes. 

Why it stands out: You assist with active university research inside Columbia Engineering labs, gaining early exposure to academic engineering workflows and research culture.

6. New York Bioforce

Location: Columbia University (Morningside and Manhattanville Campus) and various NYC lab sites
Cost / Stipend: Free; leads to a 150-hour Paid Summer Internship
Program Dates: Phase I (Training): April – July; Phase II (Internship): July – August 14th
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions typically begin in winter.
Eligibility: 11th and 12th-grade students attending NYC public or charter high schools from low-resource backgrounds

You will participate in a multi-phase science research and professional development program designed to bridge the gap between high school academics and the high-tech workforce. During the first phase, you will immerse yourself in 50 hours of intensive training at Columbia University, mastering laboratory techniques in biomedical engineering, molecular biology, and biostatistics.

This foundation prepares you for a competitive six-week, 150-hour mentored internship at prestigious institutions such as Weill Cornell Medicine or Columbia Engineering. You will work 25 hours per week in a professional lab or healthcare facility, contributing to active research projects alongside expert scientists. 

Why it stands out: You’ll get rare access to New York’s top research institutes and work with an international cohort of mentors and peers, gaining a professional advantage in the global life sciences industry.

7. Tech FLex Leaders

Location: Hybrid (New York City, Los Angeles, Miami)
Cost: Free
Program Dates: 9 months (Fall–Spring; Summer component for select students)
Deadline: August 17th
Eligibility: High school juniors and seniors enrolled in schools in NYC, LA, or Miami

Tech Flex Leaders is a 9-month, out-of-school program designed for high school juniors and seniors interested in technology, with a growing focus on artificial intelligence. You’ll attend weekly hybrid sessions led by industry experts, where you build foundational skills in web development while learning introductory AI concepts and responsible AI use.

Alongside technical training, the program emphasizes professional development through workshops on leadership, identity, and navigating tech careers. In the second semester, you’ll choose a specialized track such as data science, UX design, digital marketing, product management, or advanced web development, with AI tools integrated throughout. 

Why it stands out: You progress from core technical skills to an AI-integrated specialization while learning directly from industry professionals in a long-term, cohort-based program.

8. Boyce Thompson Institute High School Research Program

Location: Ithaca, NY (on Cornell University’s campus)
Cost: Stipend provided ($4,200 total); no housing, travel, or meal stipend
Program Dates: Begins June 25th (full-duration participation required)
Deadline: Varies annually (check official site)
Eligibility: High school students who live within ~1 hour of Ithaca year-round; must be 16 before the program begins; graduating seniors are not eligible

The Boyce Thompson Institute (BTI) High School Research Program places you directly inside an active plant and life sciences laboratory. You’ll join a research group working on questions related to food security, environmental sustainability in agriculture, and fundamental biological discovery.

Throughout the program, you’ll work alongside scientists, graduate students, and postdoctoral researchers, building technical skills while learning how academic research teams operate. Weekly professional development seminars introduce you to ongoing research at BTI and Cornell and offer structured opportunities to explore undergraduate and graduate study pathways.

Why it stands out: By the end of the experience, you’ll have developed hands-on laboratory skills, scientific literacy, and a clearer understanding of how plant science research connects to global challenges.

9. ARISE: Applied Research Innovations in Science and Engineering

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, New York
Cost: Free (stipend provided upon successful completion)
Program Dates: June 1st – August 14th (10 weeks)
Deadline: February 20th
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are full-time NYC residents attending NYC schools

ARISE is a free, 10-week summer research programme that combines structured training with hands-on laboratory experience for motivated participants interested in STEM, and it’s one of the most competitive engineering internships for high school students in NYC. You’ll begin with foundational preparation, including safety training, research skills development, and college writing workshops. During the second half of the programme, you’ll work in NYU research labs, assisting faculty and researchers on active projects across science and engineering disciplines.

The experience includes developing public speaking skills, networking with scholars and industry professionals, and presenting your work to the NYU community. The program concludes with a research presentation and poster symposium at the American Museum of Natural History, offering a capstone research experience in a professional setting.

Why it stands out: You gain sustained research exposure across NYU’s extensive lab network while presenting your work at major academic and public science venues.

10. SCA High School Summer Internship Program (SIP)

Location: New York City (in-person)
Cost: Paid ($17/hour, 30 hours per week)
Program Dates: July 6th – August 14th (6 weeks)
Deadline: March 6th
Eligibility: Students enrolled in NYC public high schools who are in good academic standing and able to work full-time during program hours

The SCA High School Summer Internship Program is a six-week paid internship offered by the New York City School Construction Authority for NYC public high school students. You’ll be placed with an SCA department or a partner architecture, engineering, construction, or business firm, gaining exposure to real-world professional environments. Interns work four days a week with their host organization and spend one day in structured educational programming focused on careers, college readiness, and professional skills.

Responsibilities vary by placement and may include design support, technical tasks, administrative work, or supervised construction site visits. The program also provides mentoring, networking opportunities, and required safety training, offering a structured introduction to careers connected to New York City’s built environment.

Why it stands out: You earn paid, full-time work experience while rotating between hands-on industry placements and structured career-focused learning within a major public infrastructure agency.

11. PREFACE: The RPI Summer Engineering Design Program

Location: Troy, New York
Cost: TBA (partial need-based scholarships available)
Program Dates: July 19th – August 1st
Deadline: April 11th
Eligibility: Rising juniors and seniors who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents with strong English proficiency

PREFACE is a two-week residential summer program hosted by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for high school students interested in engineering and technology. You’ll explore what engineers do through hands-on design and manufacturing experiences focused on real-world problem solving.The 2026 program centers on artificial intelligence, introducing core concepts such as machine learning, data analysis, computer vision, natural language processing, and ethical AI.

Through guided labs and collaborative projects, you’ll work with beginner-friendly tools and cloud platforms while learning how AI systems are built, trained, and deployed. The program also emphasizes systems thinking and responsible innovation, helping you examine how engineering decisions shape long-term societal outcomes.

Why it stands out: You connect AI theory to engineering practice by combining software, hardware, and robotics projects within a tightly mentored, research-driven environment.

12. SHAPE: Summer High School Academic Program for Engineers

Location: New York City (Columbia University)
Cost: $6,250 (commuter, per session) or $11,500 (residential, per session); need-based scholarships available
Program Dates: July 6th – July 24th or July 27th – August 14th (3 weeks per session)
Deadline: December 22nd (priority and scholarship deadline; applications remain open after)
Eligibility: Rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and recent high school graduates; financial aid available to domestic students; open to international students

SHAPE is a three-week pre-college program offering college-level, project-based engineering courses for students curious about STEM. You’ll learn from Columbia faculty through hands-on coursework spanning robotics, computer science, electrical engineering, innovation, and design. Each session blends core courses with electives, workshops, and company visits, giving you exposure to how engineering concepts translate into real-world applications.

The program is available in commuter and residential formats, with lab and MakerSpace access included. Across the session, you’ll build technical skills, collaborate with peers, and experience the academic pace of a university engineering environment while exploring potential pathways in engineering and related fields.

Why it stands out: You take intensive, faculty-led engineering courses inside a top research university while choosing between commuter and residential formats to match your learning needs.

13. CS4CS: Cyber Security for Computer Science

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free (Full scholarship funded by DTCC)
Program Dates: July 13th – August 7th (Monday – Friday, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: Current 10th or 11th graders residing in NYC, Nassau County (select LIRR lines), or specific NJ counties

CS4CS is a four-week, full-scholarship cybersecurity program that bridges theory and real-world application. You’ll engage in hands-on Capture The Flag (CTF) competitions, solve applied security challenges, and explore areas such as cryptography, scripting, automation, and digital forensics. The curriculum emphasizes practical skill-building while introducing you to research methods and academic inquiry in cybersecurity.

Throughout the program, you’ll learn directly from NYU faculty and security professionals, working through case-driven scenarios that mirror real cyber threats. Theater-based communication workshops strengthen how you present technical ideas clearly and confidently. 

Why it stands out: By the end of the program, you’ll have hands-on security experience, professional mentorship connections, and a clearer understanding of pathways into computer science and cybersecurity careers.

14. ieSoSC: Innovation, Entrepreneurship and the Science of Smart Cities

Location: NYU Tandon School of Engineering, Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Free (Full scholarship funded by National Grid)
Program Dates: ieSoSC I: July 6th – August 7th; ieSoSC II: July 13th – August 7th
(Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
Deadline: May 15th
Eligibility: NYC residents, age 15+ (current 9th–graduating 11th graders)

ieSoSC is a four- to five-week, full-scholarship summer program that immerses you in the technology and entrepreneurship behind smart cities. You’ll build foundational skills in coding, electronics, and microcontrollers while learning how sensors, circuits, and data systems power modern urban infrastructure. Through hands-on projects, you’ll design and prototype a technology-driven solution, integrating hardware and software to address real-world urban challenges.

At the same time, you’ll explore the entrepreneurial side of innovation, developing business models, understanding basic economics, and learning how branding, patents, and project management shape product development.

Why it stands out: By the end, you’ll have built a working prototype, strengthened your problem-solving abilities, and gained insight into how engineering and entrepreneurship intersect in shaping the future of cities.

15. NYU Tandon School of Engineering – SPARC (Summer Program for Automation, Robotics, and Coding)

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost: $3,300
Dates: 2 weeks during the summer
Application Deadline: Rolling until filled
Eligibility: High school students worldwide with an interest in robotics or CS

SPARC introduces students to robotics, automation, and programming through hands-on lab sessions and guided instruction by NYU Tandon faculty. You gain knowledge of fundamental ideas in robot navigation, microcontrollers, and sensor integration. You can design, construct, and test robotic systems in the program’s workshops. Basic control algorithms and Python are covered in coding instruction.

To finish a final robotics task, students collaborate in small groups. The curriculum places a strong emphasis on practical engineering skills and project-based learning. By the end, you gain confidence with programming and robotics hardware commonly used in university engineering courses.

Why it stands out: You’ll be placed at a cutting-edge engineering lab and do a final research presentation, giving you an experience of how academic research works.

Read, Build, Innovate: Your Engineering Edge

Engineering internships for high school students in NYC offer more than experience. They give you clarity, confidence, and direction at a pivotal stage in your growth.

Whether you’re exploring robotics, biomedical research, or smart city design, each programme helps you test your interests in real environments. You begin to see how theory connects with impact.

The right internship builds technical skills, but it also shapes how you think. You learn to solve problems, collaborate with mentors, and adapt to challenges.

Want an edge before your next application or interview? Open our Engineering Top Books Guide for the titles that strengthen problem-solving, design thinking, and real-world engineering judgement.