Robotics Internships

Real engineering problems, not documentation or basic testing. You'll contribute to active development in perception pipelines, motion planning algorithms, simulation environments, or embedded control systems. Research internships at companies like Meta or Toyota Research Institute involve publishing-quality work on novel problems. Manufacturing-focused roles work on PLC programming, sensor integration, or robot commissioning.

Projects typically last 10-16 weeks with defined deliverables. You'll have mentorship from senior engineers but are expected to execute independently. The best internships give you ownership of a feature or system component that ships to production or advances research objectives.

Work environments vary significantly. Academic labs emphasize exploration and publication potential. Industry teams prioritize shipping code and solving immediate product needs. Field roles involve travel to manufacturing sites or customer installations for hands-on commissioning and troubleshooting.

Based on 194 job postings with disclosed compensation, median pay is $75,400 annually (or about $6,900/month for 12-week programs). Entry-level internships start around $56,160 annually, while competitive positions at top companies reach $109,200 or more. Not all internships offer compensation, particularly those at smaller startups or academic labs, so verify pay details before applying.

PhD interns typically earn 20-30% more than undergraduates for equivalent roles, reflecting the research expectations and technical autonomy. Geographic location matters less than company tier and role complexity. A research scientist internship at NVIDIA in California and one at Toyota Research Institute in Michigan pay similarly, both at the higher end of ranges.

Most paid positions include housing stipends or corporate housing, especially for internships requiring relocation. Benefits typically don't include health insurance for summer-only positions, though semester-long co-ops often do. Some companies offer signing bonuses or relocation assistance for intern conversions to full-time offers.

Technical skills trump credentials. Python and C++ are table stakes, appearing in most postings. Machine Learning experience separates competitive candidates from the rest.

For software-focused internships, strong algorithmic thinking and clean coding practices matter more than specific frameworks. You'll be expected to implement papers, debug complex systems, and write production-quality code. ROS/ROS2 experience helps but can be learned on the job. Linear algebra, probability, and optimization fundamentals are non-negotiable for perception and planning roles.

Hardware and controls internships require electrical troubleshooting skills, understanding of sensors and actuators, and comfort with lab equipment. PLC programming, CAD experience, or PCB design knowledge opens doors to manufacturing automation roles. Personal projects demonstrating end-to-end system integration, particularly with real hardware, significantly strengthen applications.

RippleMatch Opportunities leads with 38 current openings, followed by NVIDIA (23) and Toyota Research Institute (20). Tech giants like Meta, NVIDIA, and ABB consistently run large intern programs with multiple teams hiring.

The strongest opportunities concentrate in robotics software and AI companies, research institutions, and autonomous vehicle developers. Industrial manufacturers hire for controls and field service roles. Aerospace and defense companies run structured programs but often require security clearances, limiting international student access.

Startup internships offer more ownership and faster execution cycles but less structured mentorship and lower compensation. Large company programs provide better training infrastructure, networking opportunities, and clearer conversion paths to full-time roles. Research lab internships at places like Toyota Research Institute or academic partnerships emphasize publication potential over product shipping.