Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in California
Mechanical Engineering Intern jobs in California concentrate in aerospace and defense, semiconductor manufacturing, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing, making it one of the most active markets in the country for early-career engineers. The largest hiring metros are Los Angeles, San Jose, and San Diego, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Apple, and General Dynamics have long-standing intern programs. The most in-demand specialties include thermal systems, product design, and finite element analysis. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 30+ Mechanical Engineering Intern jobs
Learning begins in the classroom but there’s no better place to gain real-world experience than with Stantec. Interns are an integral part of our teams, working to solve some of the world's most complex challenges.
As an intern, you’ll work alongside our experienced practitioners and with our clients and communities. This hands-on experience will equip you with practical skills, build your network, and provide opportunities that set you up for success.
Stantec Buildings is on a mission to become the world’s leading integrated design practice. Our engineers, architects, interior designers, sustainability specialists, and technologists are passionate about the power of design. We take an innovative, collaborative approach to projects, sharing a common belief that sustainable design for the built environment can make the world a better place for future generations. Join us and design your place with Stantec.
Your Opportunity
Your role is to work with guidance and direction on tasks and smaller projects, and as a team member of a larger project under the guidance of a Senior Engineer. You will participate in the evaluation, recommendation, and specification for engineered systems or products for a project verifying compliance with applicable codes and engineering standards/practices.
Stantec’s Buildings Internship Program is designed to give you the best internship experience possible through working on local projects and collaborating with designers, planners, engineers, project managers and technical leaders to explore the frontiers of building design.
Additionally, you will participate in Stantec’s Intern Design Project, an integrated team design project for a real client. You will be teaming with other interns in engineering, architecture, interiors, lighting design, and specialty services in North America to design and deliver cutting-edge and sustainable design solutions that exceed our clients’ needs.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with and assist Building Mechanical Engineers and Designers
- Interpret architectural, mechanical, electrical, structural and civil plans
- Perform engineering calculations using HVAC design software and Excel
- Use AutoCAD and Revit to prepare HVAC and plumbing drawings and details
- Learn to apply fundamental engineering principles to solve real-world problems
- Collaborate with and support multi-disciplinary project team(s)
- Participate in Summer Intern Design Project with interns of other building design disciplines
Your Capabilities and Credentials
- Great work ethic
- Strong motivation to learn
- Excellent task and time management skills
- Able to process information quickly and accurately
- Proficient in CADD (AutoCAD and Revit - ideal)
- Strong communication skills (both verbal and written)
- This position requires in-person site visits
Education and Experience
- Must have completed at least second year of Bachelors’ program in Mechanical Engineering by start date of Internship
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best. #DesignYourPlace
Pay Range:
- $23.47 - $34.50 Hourly
Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.
Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).
Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.
The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements
Primary Location: United States | CA | Los Angeles
Organization: BC-2045 Buildings-US California Engineering
Employee Status: Temporary
Management Level: Internship
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: No
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 30/10/2026 01:10:05
Req ID: 1008570
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.
Learning begins in the classroom but there’s no better place to gain real-world experience than with Stantec. Interns are an integral part of our teams, working to solve some of the world's most complex challenges.
As an intern, you’ll work alongside our experienced practitioners and with our clients and communities. This hands-on experience will equip you with practical skills, build your network, and provide opportunities that set you up for success.
Stantec Buildings is on a mission to become the world’s leading integrated design practice. Our engineers, architects, interior designers, sustainability specialists, and technologists are passionate about the power of design. We take an innovative, collaborative approach to projects, sharing a common belief that sustainable design for the built environment can make the world a better place for future generations. Join us and design your place with Stantec.
Your Opportunity
Your role is to work with guidance and direction on tasks and smaller projects, and as a team member of a larger project under the guidance of a Senior Engineer. You will participate in the evaluation, recommendation, and specification for engineered systems or products for a project verifying compliance with applicable codes and engineering standards/practices.
Stantec’s Buildings Internship Program is designed to give you the best internship experience possible through working on local projects and collaborating with designers, planners, engineers, project managers and technical leaders to explore the frontiers of building design.
Additionally, you will participate in Stantec’s Intern Design Project, an integrated team design project for a real client. You will be teaming with other interns in engineering, architecture, interiors, lighting design, and specialty services in North America to design and deliver cutting-edge and sustainable design solutions that exceed our clients’ needs.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Work closely with and assist Building Mechanical Engineers and Designers
- Interpret architectural, mechanical, electrical, structural and civil plans
- Perform engineering calculations using HVAC design software and Excel
- Use AutoCAD and Revit to prepare HVAC and plumbing drawings and details
- Learn to apply fundamental engineering principles to solve real-world problems
- Collaborate with and support multi-disciplinary project team(s)
- Participate in Summer Intern Design Project with interns of other building design disciplines
Your Capabilities and Credentials
- Great work ethic
- Strong motivation to learn
- Excellent task and time management skills
- Able to process information quickly and accurately
- Proficient in CADD (AutoCAD and Revit - ideal)
- Strong communication skills (both verbal and written)
- This position requires in-person site visits
Education and Experience
- Must have completed at least second year of Bachelors’ program in Mechanical Engineering by start date of Internship
This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.
Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best. #DesignYourPlace
Pay Range:
- $23.47 - $34.50 Hourly
Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.
Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).
Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.
The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements
Primary Location: United States | CA | Los Angeles
Organization: BC-2045 Buildings-US California Engineering
Employee Status: Temporary
Management Level: Internship
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: No
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 30/10/2026 01:10:05
Req ID: 1008570
Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.
See All 30 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
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
- Consulting & Professional Services
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 related undergraduate degree program
- Proficiency in CAD software such as SolidWorks, CATIA, or AutoCAD for design tasks
- Foundational knowledge of thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, and materials science coursework
- Experience with engineering simulation tools such as ANSYS or MATLAB is preferred
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional team collaboration
- Ability to work on-site in a lab or manufacturing environment with minimal supervision
Mechanical Engineering Intern Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a mechanical engineering intern in California?
The concrete path starts with enrollment in an ABET-accredited mechanical engineering program at a California university such as UC San Diego, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, or USC. California does not require an intern to hold a Professional Engineer license, but completing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam while still a student strengthens applications significantly. Employers in aerospace and semiconductor sectors additionally value hands-on lab coursework, CAD portfolio projects, and participation in engineering student organizations like ASME chapters on campus.
Which companies hire mechanical engineering interns in California?
Companies currently hiring mechanical engineering interns in California include Stantec, IMEG, and Impulse Space, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of aerospace primes, defense contractors, and consumer electronics firms means intern cohorts tend to be structured, recurring programs with mentorship components rather than ad-hoc seasonal roles.
Which California cities have the most mechanical engineering intern jobs?
San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have the most mechanical engineering intern openings in California. Los Angeles draws high volume from aerospace and defense primes headquartered in the region, San Jose reflects Silicon Valley's hardware and semiconductor demand, and San Diego benefits from its dense cluster of defense contractors and biomedical device companies that run consistent intern pipelines.
Are there remote mechanical engineering intern jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. Mechanical engineering intern work is fundamentally hands-on, involving lab testing, prototyping, and equipment operation that requires physical presence. About 25% of mechanical engineering intern openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those tend to be limited to simulation-heavy or design-review tasks where CAD and analysis work can be completed off-site without access to physical hardware.
How can I get hired as a mechanical engineering intern in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to formal intern programs at large California employers before junior year, since companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Applied Materials recruit specifically for candidates with limited experience and provide structured training. On-campus project teams, SAE Formula car builds, or senior design competitions serve as credible portfolio substitutes for work history. An FE exam pass and a SolidWorks or CATIA certification give candidates a concrete edge in a competitive 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 across aerospace, semiconductor, clean energy, and advanced manufacturing employers. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly without creating an account or going through a third-party process.
See All 30 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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