Computer Science Specialist Internships
Computer science specialist internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working engineers and developers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across Education, with Sandia National Laboratories, Savannah River Mission Completion, and Simon Property among the employers posting roles now.
Find InternshipsOverview
Showing 5 of 38+ Computer Science Specialist Internships
At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth
Discover your future with us.
We are seeking a highly motivated undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in Astronomy, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers supporting the development, testing, and analysis of advanced sensing and imaging technologies.
As part of our technical team, you will work alongside experienced researchers and engineers on a variety of projects. Depending on your interests, experience, and current program needs, assignments may include laboratory testing and characterization of imaging systems; development of software tools and automation scripts; data collection and analysis; experiment design; modeling and simulation; or technical documentation.
This position offers exposure to real-world research and development activities spanning hardware, software, and data analytics in support of national security applications. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a collaborative environment, eager to learn new technologies, and excited to tackle challenging technical problems.
All work for this position will be carried out on-site at our Niwot, CO office
Qualities We Look For:
- Creativity and innovation in solving challenging technical problems.
- Intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn new skills.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- Adaptability when working across multiple technical disciplines.
- Passion for science, engineering, and national security missions.
-
Integrity and accountability in all actions, for example maintaining accurate records, following
established procedures, and delivering high-quality technical work.
Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program in Astronomy, Physics, Aerospace / Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related STEM discipline.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience using scientific, engineering, or programming tools through coursework, research, or personal projects.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- U.S. Citizenship Required.
Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):
- Experience with laboratory testing, experimentation, or scientific data collection.
- Familiarity with optical systems, cameras, image sensors, or electro-optical hardware.
- Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar languages.
- Experience with data analysis, visualization, or statistical methods.
- Experience developing automation scripts or software tools.
-
Coursework or project experience involving signal processing, image processing, computer vision,
machine learning, or modeling and simulation.
The salary range for this role depends on the candidate’s level of experience:
- Undergraduate Student: $30/hr (currently enrolled in BS program)
- Graduate Student: $35/hr (currently enrolled in MS program)
However, Areté considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
Other Considerations
Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.
Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.
Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.
At Areté, we are on the forefront of developing innovative solutions, with great minds from all backgrounds, to help solve the nation’s most complex security challenges. We strive for an inclusive, collaborative team environment that approaches differences as opportunities for innovation and excellence. As an employee-owned company, we foster an atmosphere that propels diverse career opportunities and professional growth
Discover your future with us.
We are seeking a highly motivated undergraduate or graduate student pursuing a degree in Astronomy, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical discipline. The successful candidate will join a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers supporting the development, testing, and analysis of advanced sensing and imaging technologies.
As part of our technical team, you will work alongside experienced researchers and engineers on a variety of projects. Depending on your interests, experience, and current program needs, assignments may include laboratory testing and characterization of imaging systems; development of software tools and automation scripts; data collection and analysis; experiment design; modeling and simulation; or technical documentation.
This position offers exposure to real-world research and development activities spanning hardware, software, and data analytics in support of national security applications. The successful candidate will be comfortable working in a collaborative environment, eager to learn new technologies, and excited to tackle challenging technical problems.
All work for this position will be carried out on-site at our Niwot, CO office
Qualities We Look For:
- Creativity and innovation in solving challenging technical problems.
- Intellectual curiosity and a desire to learn new skills.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- Adaptability when working across multiple technical disciplines.
- Passion for science, engineering, and national security missions.
-
Integrity and accountability in all actions, for example maintaining accurate records, following
established procedures, and delivering high-quality technical work.
Experiences and Background We Look For (Required Skills):
- Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD program in Astronomy, Physics, Aerospace / Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, or a related STEM discipline.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
- Experience using scientific, engineering, or programming tools through coursework, research, or personal projects.
- Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- U.S. Citizenship Required.
Nice to Have (Preferred Skills):
- Experience with laboratory testing, experimentation, or scientific data collection.
- Familiarity with optical systems, cameras, image sensors, or electro-optical hardware.
- Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, C/C++, or similar languages.
- Experience with data analysis, visualization, or statistical methods.
- Experience developing automation scripts or software tools.
-
Coursework or project experience involving signal processing, image processing, computer vision,
machine learning, or modeling and simulation.
The salary range for this role depends on the candidate’s level of experience:
- Undergraduate Student: $30/hr (currently enrolled in BS program)
- Graduate Student: $35/hr (currently enrolled in MS program)
However, Areté considers several factors when extending an offer of employment, including but not limited to the position and associated responsibilities, a candidate’s work experience, education/training, and key skills.
Other Considerations
Areté is committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and nondiscrimination, and we believe every person has the right to be treated with fairness, dignity, and equal consideration.
Areté is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, marital status, national origin, age, veteran status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
U.S. citizenship is required to meet position eligibility.
Successful passage of a criminal background screen is required to meet position eligibility.
Selected applicants will be subject to a government security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.
Areté will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring.
Successful passage of a Department of Transportation (DOT) drug test is required to meet position eligibility.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you have the right to request an accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to use or access our website because of your disability. To request an accommodation, please contact Areté Human Resources at 818-885-2200 for assistance.
Computer Science Specialist Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
Tips for Your Computer Science Specialist Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large technology companies and enterprise employers open summer intern recruiting as early as August or September, months before the internship starts. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates. Checking listings across both cycles rather than waiting until spring puts you ahead of most applicants.
Build a portfolio before you apply
Intern hiring teams for computer science specialist roles expect limited work history, so a GitHub repository with two or three complete, documented projects carries more weight than a sparse resume. Each project should name the languages and frameworks you used and link directly to the code or a deployed version reviewers can open.
Work your campus network and apply directly
Career fairs surface structured university hiring programs, and your professors and career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach and catches openings that never appear at a fair.
Practice coding screens out loud before applying
Computer science specialist intern interviews typically include a coding screen covering data structures and algorithms. Practice solving problems out loud and explaining your reasoning at every step, not just arriving at the answer, because interviewers weigh how you think as much as the final solution. Doing this repeatedly before your first screen makes a measurable difference.
Target structured intern programs early
Many large technology and enterprise employers run cohort-based software engineering internship programs designed to train people new to professional development. These programs recruit in the fall, fill fast, and offer structured mentorship and project work that standard open roles don't always provide. Identify the ones that fit your background and apply in the first wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 28% of the computer science specialist internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start sorting through listings, then filter by location and work type so you're only reviewing roles you can actually take.
Computer Science Specialist Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a computer science specialist internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level, and a GitHub repository or deployed project gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Apply directly to companies running open cohorts and attend campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a computer science specialist 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 computer science specialist interns is consistent performance on real deliverables, available headcount on the team, and aligning with your manager on return-offer timing before the internship ends. Position yourself for one without counting on it.
When should I apply for computer science specialist internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large tech and enterprise employers open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you catch roles from both recruiting cycles.
Are computer science specialist internships paid?
Most professional computer science specialist internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, and the specifics depend on the individual employer. Listings show compensation details where the employer discloses them, so you can compare opportunities as you search.
What should a computer science specialist internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the languages, frameworks, or tools you used and link to the code or deployed work, such as a GitHub repository or live application. Add relevant coursework beneath your projects and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote computer science specialist internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 72% of the computer science specialist internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
What is a software engineering internship program, and is it different from a standard computer science specialist internship?
Many large technology and enterprise employers run structured software engineering internship programs that place cohorts of students on product or infrastructure teams for a fixed term. These programs are designed for people new to professional software development, recruit heavily in the fall for summer starts, and are competitive, so applying in the first wave gives you the best chance.
Can international students get computer science specialist 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.
See All 38 Computer Science Specialist Internship Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Internships