Co-op
The Cooperative Education (Co-op) Program at the Swanson School of Engineering alternates semesters of coursework with paid, full-time engineering work experience — giving you real-world skills, professional connections, and a meaningful edge before you graduate. For ECE students, co-op is one of the most powerful things you can do during your time at Pitt.
What is Co-op?
Co-op is more than an internship. Instead of a single summer, you alternate between academic semesters and full-time engineering positions, typically completing two or three rotations over the course of your degree. Most ECE students begin their first rotation after sophomore year or the first term of junior year.
Rotations are available in three formats to fit different schedules and career goals:
- Traditional alternating rotations (4 months each), starting in January, May, or September
- Six-month rotations (January–June or July–December), for students who want to take on larger projects and greater responsibility
All co-op positions are paid.
Where Do ECE Students Work?
ECE students work across a wide range of industries — from power systems and energy to embedded computing, AI, robotics, cybersecurity, and defense. Electrical Engineering students are particularly well-positioned for roles in power generation and distribution, semiconductor devices, signal processing, and electronics, while Computer Engineering students frequently work in software-hardware integration, autonomous systems, digital systems design, and financial technology. Pittsburgh's strength in both the energy and technology sectors means that exceptional local opportunities are always available, alongside national and global placements.
Recent participating employers include BNY, Carnegie Robotics, Curtiss-Wright EMD, Duquesne Light, Eaton, EOS Energy Enterprise, First Energy Corporation, GE Vernova Power Conversion, Lockheed Martin, SpaceX, and many more.
Hear From an ECE Co-op Student
Moving through three rotations, I could see my skills and confidence getting stronger with every new project. Getting my hands on real projects also gave me insights and practical knowledge that just can't be obtained without experience.
Chris Kefalos, Electrical Engineering, Co-op at Curtiss-Wright
In 2024, Lucas Connell, a Computer Engineering student, was named the Swanson School of Engineering Co-op Student of the Year — nominated by BNY for his work in digital assets engineering and digital translation systems. Lucas was described as technically well-rounded with the communication skills and leadership ability to excel in any environment.