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Summer Lab Intern Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Intern - Engineering

Rural Retreat, VA · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Summer Internship 2026 - Get hands on experience with a global company! Klöckner Pentaplast is a ... Analytical support for the R&D Lab * Polymer Processing - Extrusion * Polymer Processing ...

Intern - Engineering

Rural Retreat, VA · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Summer Internship 2026 - Get hands on experience with a global company! Klockner Pentaplast is a ... Analytical support for the R&D Lab * Polymer Processing - Extrusion * Polymer Processing ...

Summer Lab Intern information

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

As a Summer Lab Intern, you can expect to participate in a variety of hands-on projects that support ongoing research within the lab. Your daily tasks may include preparing samples, conducting experiments under supervision, collecting and analyzing data, and assisting with equipment maintenance. Collaboration is key, as you’ll often work closely with graduate students, technicians, and principal investigators who will guide your learning and help you develop essential lab skills. Interns are usually encouraged to ask questions, contribute to team meetings, and may have opportunities to present their findings. This role offers a great foundation for understanding real-world research environments and can open doors for future academic or professional pursuits in science.

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

To thrive as a Summer Lab Intern, you generally need foundational knowledge in science or engineering, strong analytical skills, and enrollment in a relevant degree program. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and software tools like Excel or data analysis platforms is often required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and eagerness to learn are key soft skills that help interns stand out. These skills and qualities ensure safe, accurate experimentation, effective teamwork, and meaningful contributions to ongoing research projects.

What are Summer Lab Interns?

Summer Lab Interns are typically students or recent graduates who work temporarily in a laboratory setting during the summer months. They assist with scientific research, experiments, and data collection under the guidance of experienced lab staff. These internships provide hands-on experience and exposure to laboratory techniques, often helping interns decide on future career paths in science. Responsibilities can vary depending on the lab, but usually include maintaining equipment, recording observations, and supporting ongoing research projects.

What is the difference between Summer Lab Intern vs Summer Research Assistant?

AspectSummer Lab InternSummer Research Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically undergraduate student, some labs prefer coursework in relevant science fieldsUsually undergraduate or graduate students with some research experience
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, assisting with experiments and data collectionResearch projects, often more independent, supporting senior researchers
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, biotech companiesUniversities, research labs, government agencies

The Summer Lab Intern role generally targets undergraduate students gaining initial research experience, focusing on assisting with lab tasks. The Summer Research Assistant position often involves more independent work and is suitable for students with some prior research background. Both roles are valuable for building research skills but differ in responsibilities and experience level.

What are the most commonly searched types of Summer Lab jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Summer Lab jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Summer Lab Intern jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Summer Lab Intern job openings:
Quality Engineering Intern - Summer 2026

Quality Engineering Intern - Summer 2026

BAE Systems

Manassas, VA • On-site

$49K - $68K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Re-posted 25 days ago


BAE Systems rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 46 rated military and defense


Job description


Job Description

BAE Systems is seeking a talented, motivated Quality Engineering internship candidate who wants to join a team at a dynamic company that values your technical excellence. At our Space Systems facility in Manassas, VA we develop and produce a wide array of space products, from single-board radiation hardened computers to complete space payloads, for commercial, military, and space communities. The company specializes in radiation-hardened electronics and space applications, including application-specific integrated circuits, memories, and single-board computers. Our single-board computer products fly on over 250 different spacecraft, including three generations of Mars rovers and Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) communication satellites.
Job Description:
In Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) Systems, you'll help develop systems that sense, control, exploit, and disseminate actionable information to warfighters supporting a variety of missions. We are looking for a Program Quality Engineering Intern to implement tools and processes to ensure products or services meet the standards of quality, including reliability, usability, and performance. You must be a self-starting problem solver who will utilize your analytical skills to find innovative solutions to quality-related issues. Strong communication skills are essential to understand requirements and expectations, make progress reports, and present findings.
Intern Responsibilities:
In this position, you will participate in BAE Systems' nationwide LEAP Internship & Co-op Program, where you will Learn, Engage, Apply, and Progress within the company. The LEAP Program will provide you with the opportunity to work alongside experienced professionals on impactful projects, engage in career development opportunities, and network with our business leaders and the other students in the program

  • We offer a supportive environment that allows you to continue to learn via training and mentoring, and advance your technical skills through performing assigned responsibilities which may include:

  • Support nonconformance investigations by identifying root causes and developing corrective actions

  • Perform hands-on work with production hardware and assist in hardware evaluations

  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams while also contributing independently to assigned projects

  • Analyze and trend quality data to identify performance patterns and improvement opportunities

  • Develop and maintain process maps, flowcharts, and documentation to support quality initiatives

  • Developing embedded software for Board Support Packages (BSP) and Start-up ROM (SUROM)

  • Developing automated test software in a variety of languages

  • Supporting technical work in areas ranging from the design, verification, test of space products and systems.

  • Working alongside senior engineers from multiple disciplines to design/check out specialized test equipment

  • Participating in integration activities of production test systems

  • Engaging in troubleshooting test-related issues

  • Generating, reviewing and updating the technical content of drawings, engineering specifications, reports, and other documents associated with the engineering process



Required Education, Experience, & Skills
  • Enrolled in a Bachelor or Master Degree program in Engineering

  • Ability to perform independent lab work with digital logic devices or components and circuit assemblies.

  • Ability to apply engineering principals.

  • Ability to work with cross functional teams following established BAE Systems design processes.

  • Strong communications skills and ability to work independently



Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
  • Outstanding communication skills

  • Demonstrated teamwork and leadership experience

  • Capacity and motivation for hard work

  • Experience in the defense electronics industry

  • Familiarity with Lean and Six Sigma practices

  • Knowledge of Quality Management Systems

  • Relevant quality certifications

  • Technical internships/co-ops

  • Exposure to ISO 9001, CMMI, or AS9100

  • Scripting and programming language familiarity: Visual Studio, Python, C#, LabWindows/CVI, Assembler

  • Familiarity with embedded engineering applications

  • Knowledge of PowerPC architecture.

  • Familiarity with electrical engineering principles such as logic compatibility, timing and signal integrity.


Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $49592 - $68993
Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.
Temporary employees generally are not eligible for BAE Systems benefits, but can elect to participate in the 401(k) savings plan. Temporary employees working 20+ hours per week are eligible for medical benefits, the employee assistance program, and business travel accident insurance.


About BAE Systems Electronic Systems
BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems' game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere - from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact - for our customers and the communities we serve.
This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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