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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DESCRIPTION
At Amazon, our tech isn't just a tool, it's your playground. Our engineers work on scalable systems, cloud services, and customer-facing products that operate at global scale. This is an environment where you learn by building. Whether you're creating cloud-native solutions, optimizing machine learning models, or building products that drive experiences for millions of customers around the globe, your work reaches the world, fast. You'll take ownership early, collaborate across teams and disciplines, and grow your skills as you tackle new problems. There's no single path forward here, with a chance to explore different directions and shape your journey as you go. This is where ambition meets opportunity and, where the impact of what you build helps define what comes next, for customers and for you.
What's in it for you? An internship at Amazon means real responsibility from day one. You'll build, test, and learn alongside people who want to see you succeed, while making an impact that reaches far beyond campus.
Do you want to solve real customer problems through innovative technology? Do you enjoy working on scalable services in a collaborative team environment? Do you want to see your code directly impact millions of customers worldwide?
At Amazon, we hire the best minds in technology to innovate and build on behalf of our customers. Customer obsession is part of our company DNA, which has made us one of the world's most beloved brands.
Our SDE interns use modern technology to solve complex problems while seeing their work's impact first-hand. The challenges SDE interns solve at Amazon are meaningful and influence millions of customers, sellers, and products globally. We seek individuals passionate about creating new products, features, and services while managing ambiguity in an environment where development cycles are measured in weeks, not years.
At Amazon, we believe in ownership at every level. As a SDE intern, you'll own the entire lifecycle of your code - from design through deployment and ongoing operations. This ownership mindset, combined with our commitment to operational excellence, ensures we deliver the highest quality solutions for our customers.
We're looking for curious minds who think big and want to define tomorrow's technology. At Amazon, you'll grow into the high-impact engineer you know you can be, supported by a culture of learning and mentorship. Every day brings exciting new challenges and opportunities for personal growth.
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By applying to this position, your application will be considered for Summer 2027 internship roles. All intern roles require in-person work and are 12 weeks in duration, starting in May/June and ending in August/September. Applicants will be considered at all locations we host interns in the United States.
Please note that the majority of our internships are in the Summer of 2027 and applicants will be processed based on business need; however, there may be additional openings that include the following period(s):
1.Fall 2027 (Start August/September; End November/December)
During the application process, you will be given the opportunity to select a preference or interest in other seasonal start dates. Please note that placement in a non-summer season is not guaranteed and is subject to availability.
Amazon internships across all seasons are full-time positions, and interns should expect to work in office, Monday-Friday, up to 40 hours per week typically between 8am-5pm. Specific team norms around working hours will be communicated by your manager. Interns should not have conflicts such as classes or other employment during the Amazon work-day. Applicants should have a minimum of one quarter/semester/trimester remaining in their studies after their internship concludes.
We will take your location preferences into consideration. Preferences are based on business availability and are not guaranteed. Applicants will be considered at all locations we host interns in the United States including but not limited to:
- CA (Irvine, San Diego, Sunnyvale)
- TX (Austin)
- MA (Boston)
- NY (New York)
- VA (Arlington)
- WA (Bellevue, Redmond, Seattle)
During your application, you will have the opportunity to highlight your expertise in one or more of these specialized areas:
• Machine Learning • Query Processing and Optimization • Automated Reasoning • Prompt Engineering • Distributed Systems
While team placement is based on business needs, sharing your specific skills and interests helps us better align your experience with potential roles.
Key job responsibilities
- Collaborate and communicate effectively with experienced cross-disciplinary Amazonians to design, build, and operate innovative products and services that delight our customers, while participating in technical discussions to drive solutions forward.
- Break down complex, ambiguous problems into well-defined, solvable components before implementation
- Contribute to the design and development of scalable, reliable services, with distributed-systems scope varying by team.
- Participate in code reviews as a core engineering practice, providing constructive feedback and validating correctness, including for AI-generated code.
- Contribute to clear and accurate technical documentation.
- Use GenAI and AI-powered tools to enhance development productivity, and critically validate, verify, and integrate AI-generated code, exercising sound judgement about when to trust AI output and when not to
- Write clean, maintainable code following best practices and design patterns, including AI-assisted.
- Work in an agile environment practicing CI/CD principles while participating in operational responsibilities including on-call duties.
- Demonstrate operational excellence through monitoring, troubleshooting, and resolving production issues.
A day in the life
As an intern, you will be matched to a manager and a mentor and will have the opportunity to influence the evolution of Amazon technology and lead critical projects early in your career.
In addition to working on an impactful project, you will have the opportunity to engage with Amazonians for both personal and professional development, expand your network, and participate in activities with other interns throughout your internship. No matter the location of your internship, we give you the tools to own your project and learn in a real-world setting.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Are 18 years of age or older
- Are enrolled in a Bachelor's degree or above in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems, or related STEM fields
- Experience with at least one general-purpose programming language such as Java, Python, C++, C#, Go, Rust, or TypeScript
- Experience with data structure implementation, basic algorithm development, and/or object-oriented design principles
- Experience using AI-assisted development tools in academic or professional settings
- Work 40 hours/week minimum and commit to 12 week internship maximum
- Expected degree conferral date between October 2027 – September 2029
- Have a minimum of one quarter/semester/trimester remaining in their studies after their internship concludes.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Experience from previous technical internship(s) or demonstrated project experience
- Experience with Cloud platforms (preferably AWS), database systems (SQL and NoSQL), AI tools for development productivity, contributing to open-source projects, and/or version control systems
- Knowledge of software development lifecycle, including design, development, test, build, deployment processes and timelines
- Strong problem decomposition, problem-solving, and analytical skills.
- Demonstrated ownership and initiative in seeing work through from design to operation
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Demonstrated ability to learn and adapt to new technologies quickly
Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status.
Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company’s reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.
The starting pay for this position is listed below. Starting Day 1 of employment, Amazon offers EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, 401(k) matching. Learn more about our benefits at https://hiring.amazon.com/why-amazon/benefits.
Arlington, VA, USA - 109,650.00 USD Annually
Austin, TX, USA - 109,650.00 USD Annually
Bellevue, WA, USA - 109,650.00 USD Annually
Boston, MA, USA - 109,650.00 USD Annually
Irvine, CA, USA - 125,100.00 USD Annually
New York, NY, USA - 120,615.00 USD Annually
San Diego, CA, USA - 125,100.00 USD Annually
Seattle, WA, USA - 109,650.00 USD Annually
Sunnyvale, CA, USA - 126,140.00 USD Annually
See All 138+ Software Engineer Intern Jobs in California
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Find Software Engineer Intern JobsSoftware Engineer Intern Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Software Engineer Intern Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- TikTok40

- ByteDance16

- Keysight Technologies7

- Meta6

- TikTok USDS JV6
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software14
- 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 Keysight Technologies, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 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 Sunnyvale. 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 23% of software engineer intern openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 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 138+ 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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