1

Research Engineer Internship Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

R&D Engineer Intern

Reston, VA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.75/hr

This internship will concentrate on researching and developing adversarial tactics, techniques, and ... Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve engineering challenges * Develop and optimize ...

Senior Research Scientist US

Washington, DC · On-site

$111K - $142K/yr

Mentor junior scientists, postdoctoral researchers, engineers, and interns. * Contribute to building a culture of scientific excellence, rigor, creativity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Senior Research Scientist US

Washington, DC · On-site

$111K - $142K/yr

Mentor junior scientists, postdoctoral researchers, engineers, and interns. * Contribute to building a culture of scientific excellence, rigor, creativity, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.

Hardware Technologies PhD Internships

Washington, DC · On-site

$139K - $184K/yr

In this internship, you will have the opportunity to work among the best engineers in the world on ... Interns collaborate with researchers, engineers, and program/project managers to tackle innovative ...

Showing results 21-40

Research Engineer Internship information

What types of projects can I expect to work on during a research engineer internship, and how are they typically structured within the team?

As a Research Engineer Intern, you will often be assigned to projects that support ongoing research and development efforts, such as building prototypes, analyzing datasets, or implementing novel algorithms. These projects are usually collaborative, with interns working alongside experienced engineers and researchers in small teams. You'll likely have a mentor who provides guidance and regular check-ins to track progress. The structure allows you to gain hands-on experience, contribute to real-world problems, and develop both technical and communication skills while learning industry best practices.

What does a research engineer intern do?

A Research Engineer Intern assists in designing, developing, and testing new technologies or products under the supervision of experienced engineers and researchers. Their tasks often include data collection, running experiments, analyzing results, and contributing to technical reports or publications. Interns may also help with coding, simulations, and prototyping, depending on the field. This role provides hands-on experience in applying theoretical knowledge to real-world engineering challenges.

What is the difference between Research Engineer Internship vs Research Engineer?

AspectResearch Engineer InternshipResearch Engineer
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in engineering, science, or related fieldBachelor's, Master's, or Ph.D. in engineering, science, or related field
Work EnvironmentTemporary, project-based, often in academic or corporate R&D labsFull-time, ongoing role in research teams within industry or academia
Employer & Industry UsageInternships offered by tech companies, research institutions, and universitiesFull-time research roles in tech, aerospace, automotive, and other R&D sectors

The Research Engineer Internship is a temporary, entry-level position designed for students or recent graduates to gain hands-on research experience. In contrast, a Research Engineer is a full-time professional role involving ongoing research responsibilities. Internships often serve as a pathway to full-time research engineering roles, with the main differences being duration, experience level, and scope of responsibilities.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a research engineer intern?

To thrive as a Research Engineer Intern, you need a strong background in engineering fundamentals, analytical thinking, and a relevant degree-in-progress such as electrical, mechanical, or computer engineering. Familiarity with programming languages (like Python, MATLAB, or C++), simulation tools, and data analysis software is typically essential. Curiosity, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and effective communication help interns stand out in collaborative research environments. These skills and qualities are crucial for contributing to innovative projects, adapting to new challenges, and delivering valuable insights within research teams.
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Engineer jobs in Washington? The most popular types of Research Engineer jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Research Engineer Internship jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Research Engineer Internship job openings:
Infographic showing various Research Engineer Internship job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution.

$17.50 - $22.75/hr

Other

Posted 8 days ago


Penn State University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

228th of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Cyberspace Operations Research Department Internship

We are searching for a motivated undergraduate student to join the Cyberspace Operations Research Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This internship will concentrate on researching and developing adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to conduct system vulnerability assessments and enable security hardening support to various sponsors.

Typical focus areas include:

  • Research state-of-the-art techniques for vulnerability detection, system exploitation, and technical mitigations
  • Develop scripts and applications to automate processes
  • Design experiments and set up test environments
  • Conduct experiments and execute demonstrations
  • Testing of representative systems under simulated real-world conditions
  • Data collection, analysis, and reporting of experimental results
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve engineering challenges
  • Develop and optimize prototypes for critical applications
  • Research and document emerging technologies
  • Participate in technical presentations and discussions

Interest skills and experience areas include:

  • Familiarity with basic system vulnerability and exploitation concepts
  • Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and the scientific method
  • Basic proficiency in Linux-based environments
  • Proficiency in programming and scripting languages (C, Python, bash, PowerShell)
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
  • Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
  • Willingness to learn and adapt to new tools, techniques, and technologies

You will work up to 20 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters and have the opportunity to work up to 40 hours/week over the summer. This is a paid internship opportunity, and location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA, or Reston, VA, but options exist for hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. Relocation and housing are not provided.

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.


What Penn State University employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom