Software Engineer Intern Jobs in California

Software Engineer Intern jobs in California are concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Google, Apple, and Qualcomm run some of the most competitive internship programs in the country. The most in-demand specialties are machine learning, full-stack web development, and mobile engineering, reflecting the product and research priorities of California's technology sector. Openings exist at every stage from first-year undergraduates to graduate students completing advanced degrees. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles105+
Top employerTikTok
Top citySan Jose, CA
Cities hiring16
Work type94% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 3 of 105+ Software Engineer Intern jobs

Renesas
Software Engineer Intern
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Renesas
Added 1d ago
Software Engineer Intern
Renesas
San Jose, California
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Specialized Engineering
Hybrid
Bachelor of Science

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MERCOR
Software Engineer Intern
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MERCOR
Added 1d ago
Software Engineer Intern
MERCOR
San Francisco, California
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
$40 - $75/hr
201-500

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The Aerospace Corporation
2027 Aerospace Software Engineer Undergraduate Intern
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The Aerospace Corporation
Added 1d ago
2027 Aerospace Software Engineer Undergraduate Intern
The Aerospace Corporation
El Segundo, California
Backend Engineering
Full-stack Engineering
Software Engineering
$25 - $30/hr
1,001-5,000

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Software Engineer Intern Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Diego
5 jobs
Fremont
3 jobs
El Segundo
3 jobs
South San Francisco
3 jobs
San Mateo
2 jobs
Mountain View
2 jobs
Irvine
1 job

Software Engineer Intern Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • TikTok
    TikTok41
  • ByteDance
    ByteDance17
  • NEURALINK
    NEURALINK5
  • Northrop Grumman
    Northrop Grumman4
  • Rippling
    Rippling3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software16
  • Science & Research6
  • Electronics & Hardware2
  • Artificial Intelligence2
  • Transportation & Logistics2

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in software engineer intern jobs across California.

  • Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's degree program in computer science or related field
  • Proficiency in at least one programming language such as Python, Java, or C++
  • Familiarity with data structures, algorithms, and object-oriented design principles
  • Experience with version control systems, particularly Git, through coursework or personal projects
  • Ability to work on-site or hybrid in California for the internship duration
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration with California-based teams

Software Engineer Intern Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a software engineer intern in California?

Becoming a software engineer intern in California starts with enrollment in a computer science, software engineering, or closely related degree program at a California university or college. California has no state-issued license for software engineering internships, so employers focus on academic standing, technical coursework, and project experience. Strong candidates build practical skills through university labs, open-source contributions, or personal coding projects before applying to California-based companies.

Which companies hire software engineer interns in California?

Companies currently hiring software engineer interns in California include TikTok, ByteDance, and NEURALINK, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's density of technology headquarters means interns can find placements across enterprise software, consumer hardware, semiconductor design, and early-stage startups, often within the same metro area.

Which California cities have the most software engineer intern jobs?

The California cities with the most software engineer intern openings are San Jose, San Francisco, and San Diego. The Bay Area leads because it is home to the headquarters and major engineering campuses of a large share of the country's largest technology companies, while Los Angeles and San Diego draw volume from their own concentrations of aerospace, biotech, and consumer technology employers actively running structured internship programs.

Are there remote software engineer intern jobs in California?

Yes, and more than most fields. About 6% of software engineer intern openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, reflecting the desk-based and collaborative-tool nature of software development. The portions of an internship most likely to stay fully remote are individual coding assignments and code review, while team standups and onboarding sessions often require at least some in-person or synchronous participation.

How can I get hired as a software engineer intern in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying directly to structured internship programs at large California technology employers, which are designed for students with limited professional experience. Companies including Salesforce, Intel, and the University of California system run new-student and early-career programs that value coursework and academic projects over prior employment. Building a GitHub portfolio of coursework projects and contributing to open-source repositories signals readiness to California hiring teams evaluating candidates without a professional history.

Where can I find and apply to software engineer intern jobs in California?

You can find and apply to software engineer intern jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from California employers. Search the listings by city or specialty to find roles that fit your background, then apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 105+ Software Engineer Intern Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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