Application Engineer Internships
Application engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working application engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Manufacturing and Electronics & Hardware, with ByteDance, Eaton, and Tesla among the employers posting roles now.
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At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
Are you currently enrolled in a STEM, electrical engineering, or computer engineering program and seeking an exciting summer 2027 internship with a leading Silicon Valley technology company? Join the Cadence Design Systems Customer Success Team (CST), where you will work with industry-leading electronic design automation (EDA) tools and collaborate with technical experts in a dynamic, innovative environment focused on silicon design, systems development, and design automation. You will gain insight into leading-edge silicon and systems technologies, learn how a global technology company operates, and experience how technical teams solve complex engineering challenges.
Cadence is a global leader in electronic design, building on more than 35 years of computational software expertise. Through its Intelligent System Design strategy, Cadence delivers software, hardware, and intellectual property that transform silicon and electronic design concepts into reality.
Cadence serves many of the world’s most innovative companies, enabling extraordinary electronic products—from chips and boards to complete systems—for dynamic markets including consumer electronics, hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, aerospace, industrial, and healthcare.
At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who are committed to advancing technology and making a meaningful global impact.
Where is the internship located?
San Jose, California
What does the internship offer?
Interns will participate in a three-month, cohort-based program alongside peers from across the United States. The program provides hands-on training in applications supporting system and package design; digital and analog IC design and simulation; physical design and analog layout; advanced verification; hardware emulation; and the application of artificial intelligence across these disciplines. Interns will also learn from technical experts and application engineers who provide design services, technical sales support, and customer support to Cadence’s most advanced customers.
The cohort-based program provides experience in the following areas:
- Fundamentals of design, verification, synthesis, and timing analysis
- Embedded software development and hardware/software co-design and co-verification
- UNIX, C/C++, and scripting languages such as Perl, Tcl, and Python
- Digital physical design and implementation for silicon and systems
- Analog physical design and implementation for silicon
- Signoff analysis for timing, IR drop, power, and signal integrity
- Application of artificial intelligence to enhance design flows and methodologies
How long is the internship?
The internship is a three-month program scheduled for summer 2027.
Position Requirements:
The ideal candidate is a rising senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or another STEM discipline at an accredited university. Experience with electronic design automation (EDA), foundational silicon, package or board design, or AI use cases is preferred. Candidates must be able to manage multiple complex assignments and demonstrate strong communication, presentation, assessment, and analytical skills.
We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.
Company Description:
At Cadence, our core values are more than just words, they are the way we work, laugh, debate, care, question, and innovate together. We are One Cadence—One Team.
Cadence plays a critical role in creating the technologies that modern life depends on. We are a global electronic design automation (EDA) company, providing software, hardware, and intellectual property to design advanced semiconductor chips that enable our customers to create revolutionary products and experiences. Our team’s shared passion for solving the world’s toughest technical challenges makes us proud to be part of Cadence. Our unique culture has been recognized on FORTUNE Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list and garnered accolades from the Great Place To Work Institute around the globe.
The annual salary range for California is $28.60 to $53.12 an hour. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid holidays and 401(k) plan with employer match.
We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.
At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who want to make an impact on the world of technology.
Are you currently enrolled in a STEM, electrical engineering, or computer engineering program and seeking an exciting summer 2027 internship with a leading Silicon Valley technology company? Join the Cadence Design Systems Customer Success Team (CST), where you will work with industry-leading electronic design automation (EDA) tools and collaborate with technical experts in a dynamic, innovative environment focused on silicon design, systems development, and design automation. You will gain insight into leading-edge silicon and systems technologies, learn how a global technology company operates, and experience how technical teams solve complex engineering challenges.
Cadence is a global leader in electronic design, building on more than 35 years of computational software expertise. Through its Intelligent System Design strategy, Cadence delivers software, hardware, and intellectual property that transform silicon and electronic design concepts into reality.
Cadence serves many of the world’s most innovative companies, enabling extraordinary electronic products—from chips and boards to complete systems—for dynamic markets including consumer electronics, hyperscale computing, 5G communications, automotive, aerospace, industrial, and healthcare.
At Cadence, we hire and develop leaders and innovators who are committed to advancing technology and making a meaningful global impact.
Where is the internship located?
San Jose, California
What does the internship offer?
Interns will participate in a three-month, cohort-based program alongside peers from across the United States. The program provides hands-on training in applications supporting system and package design; digital and analog IC design and simulation; physical design and analog layout; advanced verification; hardware emulation; and the application of artificial intelligence across these disciplines. Interns will also learn from technical experts and application engineers who provide design services, technical sales support, and customer support to Cadence’s most advanced customers.
The cohort-based program provides experience in the following areas:
- Fundamentals of design, verification, synthesis, and timing analysis
- Embedded software development and hardware/software co-design and co-verification
- UNIX, C/C++, and scripting languages such as Perl, Tcl, and Python
- Digital physical design and implementation for silicon and systems
- Analog physical design and implementation for silicon
- Signoff analysis for timing, IR drop, power, and signal integrity
- Application of artificial intelligence to enhance design flows and methodologies
How long is the internship?
The internship is a three-month program scheduled for summer 2027.
Position Requirements:
The ideal candidate is a rising senior pursuing a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, computer engineering, or another STEM discipline at an accredited university. Experience with electronic design automation (EDA), foundational silicon, package or board design, or AI use cases is preferred. Candidates must be able to manage multiple complex assignments and demonstrate strong communication, presentation, assessment, and analytical skills.
We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.
Company Description:
At Cadence, our core values are more than just words, they are the way we work, laugh, debate, care, question, and innovate together. We are One Cadence—One Team.
Cadence plays a critical role in creating the technologies that modern life depends on. We are a global electronic design automation (EDA) company, providing software, hardware, and intellectual property to design advanced semiconductor chips that enable our customers to create revolutionary products and experiences. Our team’s shared passion for solving the world’s toughest technical challenges makes us proud to be part of Cadence. Our unique culture has been recognized on FORTUNE Magazine’s 100 Best Companies to Work For list and garnered accolades from the Great Place To Work Institute around the globe.
The annual salary range for California is $28.60 to $53.12 an hour. Sales positions generally offer a competitive On Target Earnings (OTE) incentive compensation structure. Please note that the salary range is a guideline and compensation may vary based on factors such as qualifications, skill level, competencies and work location. Our benefits programs include: paid holidays and 401(k) plan with employer match.
We’re doing work that matters. Help us solve what others can’t.
Application Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
Tips for Your Application Engineer Internship Search
Start your search earlier than you think
Large employers recruit summer application engineer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before winter break. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, so new openings appear throughout the year. Check listings in September and October for the biggest structured programs, then revisit regularly for later-posting roles.
Build a technical portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams reviewing application engineer interns expect limited work history, so your projects carry the load. Document two or three complete builds or implementations, note the tools and systems involved, and make the work accessible, linked code repositories, CAD files, or technical writeups give recruiters something real to evaluate before an interview.
Work your campus network alongside direct applications
Campus career fairs surface structured internship programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Apply directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time, combining both approaches reaches employers you'd miss focusing on only one channel.
Practice the actual application engineer interview format out loud
Application engineer intern screens typically involve technical problem-solving, system or product walkthroughs, and questions about how you've applied engineering concepts in coursework or projects. Practice answering out loud and explaining your reasoning step by step, interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the right answer.
Target structured internship programs built for new engineers
Many larger companies run dedicated application engineer cohort or rotational programs designed to train candidates new to the field. These programs offer structured mentorship and defined project tracks, but they recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that fit your background and apply in the first wave rather than waiting for general openings.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 78% of the application engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can actually commit to, on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type up front saves time and keeps you focused on roles you can accept.
Application Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an application engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For application engineer candidates, a documented technical portfolio showing real implementations gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an application engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it for application engineer interns is consistent performance on real project work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest before return-offer decisions are made. Treat the internship as an extended audition, but keep applying to other roles so you're not counting on one outcome.
When should I apply for application engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers recruit summer cohorts the preceding fall, often closing applications before the calendar year turns. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Check listings regularly rather than treating it as a once-a-year cycle.
Are application engineer internships paid?
Most professional application engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and individual listings show it where the employer chooses to disclose it. Unpaid arrangements are uncommon at engineering-focused employers but do appear occasionally at startups and nonprofit organizations.
What should an application engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and technologies used and link to the work, for application engineer candidates, that means linked code repositories, CAD files, technical writeups, or prototype documentation. Add relevant coursework and keep the resume to one page.
Are there remote application engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 22% of the application engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get application engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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