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What is a hardware engineering internship and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Janet Kolodner Ph.D.,
Robert Taylor
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Hardware engineers supervise the manufacturing and installation of computer systems. They usually also troubleshoot problems, run diagnostics, and conduct tests. Hardware engineering interns assist in performing these duties and more. They also perform other tasks, like creating designs, reviewing test results, and helping with office activities.

A job as a hardware engineering intern prepares people by giving them the necessary skills and experience. A day in their life may include creating new product designs, submitting reports to superiors, and running diagnostics on faulty systems. Hardware engineer interns may also evaluate older computer models to find opportunities.

Interns usually also perform other duties like keeping the workspace tidy, arranging the equipment, and shadowing senior engineers.

To become a hardware engineering intern, you need a degree in computer engineering or other related fields. To land a job in high-rated institutions, you may also need an impressive academic record and analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.

What general advice would you give to a hardware engineering internship?

Janet Kolodner Ph.D.Janet Kolodner Ph.D. LinkedIn profile

Professor of the Practice and Co-Director of the program, Boston College

I know people need to eat and have a roof over their heads. The important thing, however, is to not settle for the wrong thing too soon. People should think about what they enjoy and what gives them a feeling of purpose, think about what they might want to accomplish over a lifetime (or in the next 5 or 10 years), and make sure they choose to do something that will put them on that path. Or, if they don't know what they want to accomplish, they should think hard about the joy they might get (or not) from a position and the extent to which it uses their strengths well. They shouldn't be afraid to try out something they haven't thought about if they are thinking it could offer possibilities of enjoyment and accomplishment. We can't all do exactly what we think we will be doing, but we often can make the most of what's available.
ScoreHardware Engineering InternshipUS Average
Salary
4.9

Avg. Salary $63,154

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.8

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
3.5
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.44%

Asian 38.33%

Black or African American 5.00%

Hispanic or Latino 9.35%

Unknown 2.85%

White 44.04%

Gender

female 18.80%

male 81.20%

Age - 43
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 43
Stress level
4.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
8.0

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.5

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Hardware engineering internship career paths

Key steps to become a hardware engineering internship

  1. Explore hardware engineering internship education requirements

    Most common hardware engineering internship degrees

    Bachelor's

    73.6 %

    Master's

    17.6 %

    Associate

    4.9 %
  2. Start to develop specific hardware engineering internship skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Python11.70%
    Solidworks6.38%
    CAD5.71%
    Cadence4.98%
    C4.85%
  3. Complete relevant hardware engineering internship training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New hardware engineering interns learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a hardware engineering internship based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real hardware engineering internship resumes.
  4. Research hardware engineering internship duties and responsibilities

    • Lead the integration and validation of a programmable clock generator on a board via I2C interface.
    • Programme VBA tool to organize and manage operator-supply production data into a comprehensive data set.
    • Analyze FCC EMI scans and subsequently debug and eliminate spurious emissions.
    • Experiment with clocks in Verilog RTL to debug a decoder failure at high symbol rates.
  5. Prepare your hardware engineering internship resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your hardware engineering internship resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a hardware engineering internship resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable hardware engineering internship resume templates

    Build a professional hardware engineering internship resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your hardware engineering internship resume.
    Hardware Engineering Internship Resume
    Hardware Engineering Internship Resume
    Hardware Engineering Internship Resume
    Hardware Engineering Internship Resume
    Hardware Engineering Internship Resume
    Hardware Engineering Internship Resume
    Hardware Engineering Internship Resume
    Hardware Engineering Internship Resume
    Hardware Engineering Internship Resume
  6. Apply for hardware engineering internship jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a hardware engineering internship job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first hardware engineering internship job

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Average hardware engineering internship salary

The average hardware engineering internship salary in the United States is $63,154 per year or $30 per hour. Hardware engineering internship salaries range between $47,000 and $84,000 per year.

Average hardware engineering internship salary
$63,154 Yearly
$30.36 hourly

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How do hardware engineering interns rate their job?

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Hardware engineering internship reviews

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A zippia user wrote a review on Jul 2020
Pros

Learn much about different systems. Project management and worthy salary.

Cons

Stop and hold in regular degree of salary and responsibilities. I am so eager to learn much and so effective


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A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2020
Pros

Repairing rebuilding and diagnosising laptop and desktop computers. Along with trouble shooting and giving sound advice

Cons

Can't think of anything


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A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019
Pros

Hardware Design Engineer's are few intellectuals in a company who has exposure to all the aspects of product life cycle. It needs versatile knowledge of all most of the things. I feel passionate dealing with electronics components and analyzing them. It is a flexible job. It is a Real time job.

Cons

At times software development team questions on hardware design without looking the code running the stuff irritates Must have some knowledge of coding as well


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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