Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in California
Mechanical Engineering Intern jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, and medical devices across a seniority range from first-year undergraduates through advanced doctoral candidates. The largest hiring metros are the Los Angeles basin, the San Francisco Bay Area, and San Diego, where employers like Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin, and Apple maintain significant engineering operations. The most in-demand specialties are thermal and fluid systems, structural analysis, and product development for consumer electronics and electric vehicles. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 80+ Mechanical Engineering Intern jobs
This Opportunity
WSP USA hosts hundreds of internships across the United States to gain hands-on, meaningful work experience to enhance their education and professional aptitude. Our interns gain exposure to real projects while working side by side with senior staff. Through our Developing Professionals Network, interns gain mentorship, networking opportunities and lifelong career connections.
Our Property and Buildings team is seeking a Full-Time Mechanical Engineering Intern - Summer 2026 to work out of our Los Angeles, CA office. This temporary position is seeking individuals currently enrolled in an Undergraduate or Graduate degree program.
This internship will be part of the WSP Summer Internship Program. The individual start date of the internship may be flexible.
Your Impact
- Support a variety of engineering tasks with the goal to develop technical, social, and ethical skills.
- Learn basic principles of Mechanical Engineering.
- Assist with project research, field work, and preliminary design calculations and analysis.
- Support preparation of final design plans, special provisions, and cost estimates.
- Assist in collecting and maintaining project documentation.
- Complete training on assigned tasks.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Please note that there is no relocation or housing assistance associated with this internship.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Actively enrolled in an accredited Mechanical Engineering, or related, Undergraduate program with an anticipated graduation date of August 2026 or later.
- Must be 18 or older.
- Demonstrated interest in Mechanical Engineering, or related field, and have a strong desire to advance skills related to WSP’s work and projects.
- Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
- Capable of taking direction from leadership, mentors, and managers to execute projects.
- Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, spreadsheets, technology, and tools.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Authorization to work in the United States at the start of the internship.
Preferred Qualifications
- Actively enrolled in an accredited Mechanical Engineering, or related, Master’s or PhD program with an anticipated graduation date of August 2026 or later.
- Experience using AutoCad, Revit, Load Calculation Software (Trace3D) and full Microsoft Office Suite.
- Prior relevant internship, extracurricular and leadership involvement on campus.
Compensation:
- Expected Salary (all locations): $24.76 - $32.22
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
This Opportunity
WSP USA hosts hundreds of internships across the United States to gain hands-on, meaningful work experience to enhance their education and professional aptitude. Our interns gain exposure to real projects while working side by side with senior staff. Through our Developing Professionals Network, interns gain mentorship, networking opportunities and lifelong career connections.
Our Property and Buildings team is seeking a Full-Time Mechanical Engineering Intern - Summer 2026 to work out of our Los Angeles, CA office. This temporary position is seeking individuals currently enrolled in an Undergraduate or Graduate degree program.
This internship will be part of the WSP Summer Internship Program. The individual start date of the internship may be flexible.
Your Impact
- Support a variety of engineering tasks with the goal to develop technical, social, and ethical skills.
- Learn basic principles of Mechanical Engineering.
- Assist with project research, field work, and preliminary design calculations and analysis.
- Support preparation of final design plans, special provisions, and cost estimates.
- Assist in collecting and maintaining project documentation.
- Complete training on assigned tasks.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Please note that there is no relocation or housing assistance associated with this internship.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Actively enrolled in an accredited Mechanical Engineering, or related, Undergraduate program with an anticipated graduation date of August 2026 or later.
- Must be 18 or older.
- Demonstrated interest in Mechanical Engineering, or related field, and have a strong desire to advance skills related to WSP’s work and projects.
- Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
- Capable of taking direction from leadership, mentors, and managers to execute projects.
- Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, spreadsheets, technology, and tools.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Authorization to work in the United States at the start of the internship.
Preferred Qualifications
- Actively enrolled in an accredited Mechanical Engineering, or related, Master’s or PhD program with an anticipated graduation date of August 2026 or later.
- Experience using AutoCad, Revit, Load Calculation Software (Trace3D) and full Microsoft Office Suite.
- Prior relevant internship, extracurricular and leadership involvement on campus.
Compensation:
- Expected Salary (all locations): $24.76 - $32.22
WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.
See All 80 Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find JobsMechanical Engineering Intern Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Mechanical Engineering Intern Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- TikTok6
- ChargePoint3
- Etched3
- Karma Automotive3
- Advantest2
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware22
- Technology & Software21
- Consulting & Professional Services10
- Automotive6
- Science & Research4
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in mechanical engineering intern jobs across California.
- Currently enrolled in an accredited mechanical engineering or closely related undergraduate or graduate program
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD for design and modeling tasks
- Coursework or project experience in thermodynamics, mechanics of materials, or manufacturing processes
- Familiarity with finite element analysis tools such as ANSYS or Abaqus for structural or thermal simulation
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional team collaboration and technical reporting
- Ability to work on-site at a California facility and comply with export control or security clearance requirements
Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical engineering intern in California?
Enrollment in an ABET-accredited mechanical engineering program at a California university is the standard entry point, and most employers require at least one completed year of coursework. California does not require a state license to work as an intern, but candidates who have passed the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering exam stand out in competitive applicant pools. Building a portfolio of CAD models, lab reports, or personal projects strengthens applications, and campus career centers at UC San Diego, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, and UC Berkeley connect students directly with California-based employers.
How much do mechanical engineering interns make in California?
Mechanical engineering interns in California earn a median of about $130,900 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $82,070 for the lowest 10% to over $203,620 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire mechanical engineering interns in California?
Employers hiring mechanical engineering interns in California right now include TikTok, ChargePoint, and Etched, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. California's aerospace corridor around Los Angeles and the defense presence in San Diego mean large system integrators and government contractors consistently recruit interns each year.
Which California cities have the most mechanical engineering intern jobs?
San Jose, Santa Clara, and San Francisco have the most mechanical engineering intern openings in California. The Los Angeles basin draws volume from aerospace primes and defense contractors, the Bay Area from semiconductor and clean-technology firms, and San Diego from biomedical device companies and naval defense programs, so the distribution follows each metro's anchor industries rather than population size alone.
Are there remote mechanical engineering intern jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 15% of mechanical engineering intern openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, reflecting that most intern tasks involve hands-on lab work, physical prototyping, or operating equipment that requires on-site presence. The portions of the role most likely to be done remotely are simulation, CAD modeling, and data analysis work that does not depend on specialized machinery.
How can I get hired as a mechanical engineering intern in California with little or no experience?
Applying to structured intern programs run directly by large California employers is the most realistic path, since programs at companies like Northrop Grumman, Tesla, and Edwards Lifesciences are explicitly designed for candidates with limited professional history. Adjacent entry points include undergraduate research assistant roles at UC campuses and California State University system labs, which build relevant hands-on credentials. Completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam early and assembling a portfolio of SolidWorks or ANSYS projects makes a meaningful difference when competing against candidates from the same applicant pool.
Where can I find and apply to mechanical engineering intern jobs in California?
You can find and apply to mechanical engineering intern jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 80 Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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