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Controls Engineer Intern Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Fire Alarm Early Intern

Tysons, VA · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

... controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers ... Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful ...

Finance Intern (2025 - 2026 Season)

Tysons, VA · On-site

$18 - $23.50/hr

... controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers ... Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful ...

Human Resource Intern - Tysons, VA

Tysons, VA · On-site

$15.25 - $20.25/hr

... controls, audiovisual, and IT systems. Headquarters in Tysons, Virginia, M.C. Dean delivers ... Our people are passionate about engineering innovation that improves lives and drives impactful ...

Summer 2026 Intern - VA/DC

Reston, VA · On-site

$15.50 - $20.75/hr

... support to Project Engineer, Project Superintendent, and/or Project Manager. * Assist with ... controls and reach with hands, talk, and hear. The employee is regularly required to be mobile.

Work with manufacturing engineers to improve assembly efficiency, improve product quality, reduce ... controls and balance Occasionally required to walk Occasionally required to reach with hands and ...

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Controls Engineer Intern information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Controls Engineer Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Controls Engineer Intern, you need a foundation in electrical or mechanical engineering principles, familiarity with automation concepts, and enrollment in a relevant engineering degree program. Hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI software, and CAD tools, as well as knowledge of industry standards, are typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help interns excel in collaborative and fast-paced project environments. These skills and qualifications enable effective troubleshooting, system design, and integration essential for successful automation solutions.

What is the difference between Controls Engineer Intern vs Controls Engineer?

AspectControls Engineer InternControls Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing a degree in electrical, mechanical, or control engineering; internship experienceBachelor's or master's degree in engineering; professional certifications may be preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in manufacturing or automation companies, supervised by experienced engineersFull-time role in design, development, and maintenance of control systems within industrial settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies hiring interns to gain future talent; common in manufacturing, automation, and roboticsFull-time position in similar industries, focusing on project execution and system optimization

The Controls Engineer Intern role is an entry-level position designed for students gaining practical experience, while the Controls Engineer is a full-time professional responsible for designing and maintaining control systems. Interns typically work under supervision, whereas engineers operate independently on complex projects.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a Controls Engineer Intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Controls Engineer Intern, you can expect to support senior engineers on projects such as designing, programming, and testing automation systems used in manufacturing or industrial environments. Your daily tasks may include drafting electrical schematics, assisting with PLC programming, troubleshooting control panels, and helping to commission automated equipment. Interns often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical engineers and technicians, to ensure smooth integration of control systems. This hands-on experience provides valuable exposure to real-world engineering challenges and can be a stepping stone to a full-time position.

What does a Controls Engineer Intern do?

A Controls Engineer Intern assists in designing, developing, and maintaining automated control systems used in manufacturing or industrial settings. Typical tasks include programming PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), troubleshooting equipment, and supporting senior engineers with system integration and testing. Interns gain hands-on experience with automation software and hardware, and they often contribute to projects that improve process efficiency and safety. This role is ideal for students in engineering fields who want practical experience in automation and controls technology.
What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in Reston, VA? The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in Reston, VA are:
What are popular job titles related to Controls Engineer Intern jobs in Reston, VA? For Controls Engineer Intern jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Controls Engineer Intern jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Controls Engineer Intern job openings:
Systems Engineer Intern - Fall Recruitment - MD, DC, VA (Remote)

Systems Engineer Intern - Fall Recruitment - MD, DC, VA (Remote)

CareFirst

Washington, DC

$19 - $24.75/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago


CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 30 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

204th of 261 rated insurance


Job description

Resp & Qualifications

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is the largest health insurer in the mid-Atlantic region, serving over three million members in Maryland, DC and Northern Virginia. We have an exciting internship opportunity starting this Fall. As a leading Healthcare organization, we teach our students best practices and procedures for HealthCare information. This position teaches the intern a thorough understanding of the entire life cycle of software methodology starting with managing business owner requirements and progressing through technical design, build, test, and deployment phases.  

This is a year-round internship opportunity. We are looking for students who can commit to our work up to 15-20 hours per week during the academic year in the Fall/Spring and 35-40 hours per week during the Summer. The start date for the internship will be in October 2026.  

This internship under the guidance of the Manager/Supervisor shall include, but are not limited to, the following: 

  • Obtain a working knowledge of CareFirst HealthCare processes 
  • Develop and test UI applications and ad hoc reports, identifying and resolving problems as they arise
  • Analyze and translate Healthcare functional specifications and change requests into test cases 
  • Support all testing efforts (integration, functional, system, performance, UAT, etc) by attending weekly testing meetings, reviewing all defects, and fixing such defects as assigned 
  • If needed, participate in production support and monitoring activities for deployed applications 
  • Expand technical and business knowledge appropriate to team and section through reading, research, on-the-job training and classroom training
  • Research emerging Gen AI technologies and recommend improvements 

Qualifications:

Must be a student enrolled in an accredited college or university either junior or senior with a current GPA of 3.25 or above. Majors include: Information Systems, Health Information Technology, Computer-Science or related field. 

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills 
  • Strong analytical skills organized and detail-oriented 
  • Experience using Microsoft Office Products  

Preferred: Exposure to Computer Science, Engineering, or Data Analysis preferred but not required. Depending on the area of IT, any of the following may be required: 

Technology (Exposure to 1 or more) 

  • SQL 
  • Snowflake 
  • Java or Python 
  • Shell scripting 
  • REST, HTTP/SOAP 
  • GENAI / Agentic AI 
  • Coud & Platforms such as AWS/Azure/GCP 

Salary Range: 19,760 - 26,000

Salary Range Disclaimer

The hire range posted is an annual rate. All intern positions will be paid hourly.

Equal Employment Opportunity

CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is an Equal Opportunity (EEO) employer.  It is the policy of the Company to provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.

Federal Disc/Physical Demand

Note:  The incumbent is required to immediately disclose any debarment, exclusion, or other event that makes him/her ineligible to perform work directly or indirectly on Federal health care programs.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The associate is primarily seated while performing the duties of the position.  Occasional walking or standing is required.  The hands are regularly used to write, type, key and handle or feel small controls and objects.  The associate must frequently talk and hear.  Weights up to 25 pounds are occasionally lifted.

Sponsorship in US

Must be eligible to work in the U.S. without Sponsorship

#LI-NW1 


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