Fortinet runs a paid summer internship through its Early Talent Program, open to undergraduate and graduate students across technical and non-technical departments at the cybersecurity company. Internships run roughly 10 to 12 weeks, and Fortinet says applications open in the fall and close in early spring, which means the 2027 cycle should start showing up on its careers site through the rest of 2026.
What Fortinet actually does
Fortinet builds cybersecurity hardware and software, best known for its FortiGate firewalls and the broader Fortinet Security Fabric platform that ties network, cloud and endpoint security together into one system. It's headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and trades on Nasdaq under the ticker FTNT. Enterprise customers, not consumers, are the buyer, so a lot of the day-to-day intern work touches infrastructure most people never see.
How the Early Talent Program works
| What to know | Detail |
|---|---|
| Program name | Fortinet Early Talent Program (internships plus full-time roles for recent grads) |
| Length | Roughly 10 to 12 weeks over the summer |
| Application window | Opens in fall, closes early spring |
| Eligibility | Current undergraduate or graduate students, technical and non-technical tracks |
| Extra perk | Free training toward the Network Security Expert (NSE) certification |
Fortinet's own description frames the internship as immersion in the events and programs behind a leading cybersecurity company, with an emphasis on mentorship and networking on top of the day job. The free NSE training is worth taking seriously even if you don't end up staying at Fortinet afterward, since that certification carries weight elsewhere in security hiring too.
What a Fortinet internship pays
Fortinet hasn't published a standard intern pay rate on its careers site. Internships at large, established cybersecurity and networking companies commonly pay hourly, with the exact number depending on role, location and degree level. Check the specific posting once a 2027 internship goes live, or ask during the interview process rather than assuming a figure going in.
What background you need
Because the Early Talent Program spans technical and non-technical departments, there's no single required major. Fortinet's guidance for applicants is straightforward: submit a tailored, one-page resume that highlights relevant coursework, projects or volunteer experience, and lean into any cybersecurity certifications or coursework you already have, since that's the clearest signal the company points to for a security-focused employer.
What's open right now and how to apply
ApplyBolt's live board currently shows a real Fortinet opening, an AI Automation Engineer role based in Sunnyvale, but no internship-titled posting as of this writing. That tracks with Fortinet's own stated timeline, since 2027 internship postings should start appearing through fall 2026. Check the roles below along with Fortinet's own Early Talent Program page for when a specific posting goes live, and apply as soon as it does rather than waiting for the whole class to post at once.
For how Fortinet's timeline compares to the rest of the market, see our summer 2027 internships guide. If you're comparing cybersecurity and data-heavy internships more broadly, our Snowflake guide covers another company in a related space, and our 2027 software engineering internships list rounds up openings across the field.
Openings at Fortinet right now
Live from the ApplyBolt board
Frequently asked questions
Does Fortinet have a summer internship program for 2027?
Yes. Fortinet runs the Early Talent Program, which includes internships for current students alongside full-time roles for recent graduates. Internships run roughly 10 to 12 weeks over the summer, and Fortinet says applications open in the fall and close in early spring, so the 2027 cycle should open through fall 2026.
What does Fortinet actually do?
Fortinet builds cybersecurity hardware and software, best known for its FortiGate firewalls and its broader Fortinet Security Fabric platform that ties network, cloud and endpoint security together. It's a large, established player in enterprise cybersecurity, headquartered in Sunnyvale, California and trading on Nasdaq under FTNT.
What does a Fortinet internship pay?
Fortinet hasn't published a standard intern pay rate on its careers site. It does offer free training toward the Network Security Expert certification to program participants, which is worth factoring in alongside pay when you're weighing offers, since that credential carries real value in cybersecurity hiring.
What background do you need for a Fortinet internship?
The Early Talent Program is open to undergraduate and graduate students across technical and non-technical departments, not just cybersecurity majors. Fortinet's own guidance for applicants is to submit a tailored, one-page resume that highlights relevant coursework, projects or volunteer work, and the program leans toward candidates already pursuing security-related coursework or certifications.