Software Design Engineer Internships

Software design engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience, mentorship from working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings are concentrated across {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Keysight Technologies, Meta, and Rivian among the employers posting roles now.

Find Software Design Engineer Internships

Overview

Open roles6
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerKeysight Technologies
Top citySanta Clara, CA
Work type75% Remote
Top credentialMaster's degree

Showing 5 of 6+ Software Design Engineer Internships

Research Intern — Neural Network Training and Hardware–Software Co-Design
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Added 2d ago
Research Intern — Neural Network Training and Hardware–Software Co-Design
Meta
Redmond, Washington
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$7,313 - $13k/yr
10,000+

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Software Design Engineer Intern
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Added 6d ago
Software Design Engineer Intern
DataRobot
Boston, Massachusetts
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
Remote (US)
Master's degree
501-1,000

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Intern - Photonics Design Software & Automation Engineer (PhD Level)
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Added 3w ago
Intern - Photonics Design Software & Automation Engineer (PhD Level)
Keysight Technologies
Santa Clara, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
Remote (US)
10,000+

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Intern - Optical Design Software & Automation Engineer (PhD Level)
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Added 3w ago
Intern - Optical Design Software & Automation Engineer (PhD Level)
Keysight Technologies
Santa Clara, California
Data Science & Analytics
IT Support
Technical Program Management
Remote (US)
10,000+

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Hardware and Software Design Intern
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Added 1mo ago
Hardware and Software Design Intern
STMicroelectronics
Santa Clara, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
$32 - $43/hr
Hybrid
10,000+

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Software Design Engineer Internship Market

Who's Hiring

Keysight Technologies2 open roles
Meta1 open role
Rivian1 open role

Tips for Your Software Design Engineer Internship Search

Apply in fall for summer roles

Large employers in tech and manufacturing open summer internship applications as early as August or September of the preceding year. If you wait until spring to start applying, the structured cohort programs are often already closed. Check listings as soon as a new academic year begins and treat fall as the primary application season.

Build projects you can link to

Hiring teams for software design engineer internships have limited work history to review, so a linked GitHub repository or documented project is the artifact that moves your application forward. Build at least two complete projects that name the tools, show the code, and are publicly accessible before you submit your first application.

Work your campus network alongside direct applications

Campus career fairs surface structured programs tied to your university, and professors or career center staff often know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts at the same time widens the pool you reach beyond what any single recruiting event covers.

Practice the coding screen before you apply

Software design engineer intern interviews center on data structures and algorithms, and interviewers weigh how you explain your reasoning as much as whether you reach the right answer. Practice problems out loud, narrating your approach as you go. Running through problems silently does not prepare you for the actual format.

Target structured intern programs early

Many larger technology and engineering employers run cohort-based programs, including dedicated SDET and university hiring pipelines, built to train people new to the field. These programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify the ones that fit your interests and get your application in during the first wave, not after the deadline appears.

Set your work-type filter before you start

On-site roles are 0% of the software design engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can actually commit to, location, housing, remote setup, before you start searching. Filtering by work type upfront means you spend time on roles you can take rather than sorting through listings after the fact. Migrate Mate's work-type filter applies the moment you search.

Software Design Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a software design engineer internship?

Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level and want something concrete to assess. A linked GitHub repository or project writeup gives recruiters a real signal. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.

Can a software design engineer internship turn into a full-time job?

Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it is performance on real work, available headcount on the team, and how early you signal interest in returning. Position for a return offer by owning your project scope and asking for feedback mid-internship, without counting on the outcome.

When should I apply for software design engineer internships?

Earlier than most expect. Large employers, particularly in tech and manufacturing, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, often closing cohorts before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you won't miss the early-opening roles that fill quietly.

Are software design engineer internships paid?

Most professional software design engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, it appears directly in the listing, so the roles you see here show that information when it's available.

What should a software design engineer internship resume include?

Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and frameworks you used and link to the code, a public GitHub repository is the standard proof for software design engineer candidates. Add relevant coursework, keep the whole document to one page, and put your strongest project first.

Are there remote software design engineer internships?

Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 100% of the software design 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.

What is a software design engineer in test (SDET) internship?

SDET internships focus on building automated test frameworks and tooling rather than product features, making them a well-known entry point for candidates interested in quality engineering and reliability. Programs at larger tech employers recruit early and are competitive. If this track fits your interests, identify the SDET-specific cohorts and apply in the first wave of recruiting.

Can international students get software design 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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