Software Engineer Internships

Software 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. {{top_industries_phrase}} lead the field in intern hiring, with Meta, Tesla, and Innovative Defense Technologies among the employers posting roles now.

Find Software Engineer Internships

Overview

Open roles129+
Top stateCalifornia
Top employerMeta
Top cityPalo Alto, CA
Work type45% Hybrid
Top credentialDoctoral degree in Computer Science

Showing 4 of 129+ Software Engineer Internships

Keysight Technologies
Software Development Engineer Intern - 6G Digital Twin and Visualization Platform
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Keysight Technologies
Added 1d ago
Software Development Engineer Intern - 6G Digital Twin and Visualization Platform
Keysight Technologies
Santa Rosa, California
Business Development
Marketing
Sales
$38.31 - $48.62/hr
10,000+

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Amazon.com
Software Development Engineer (Embedded Systems) Intern, Amazon Leo - Summer 2027 (USA)
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Amazon.com
Added 1d ago
Software Development Engineer (Embedded Systems) Intern, Amazon Leo - Summer 2027 (USA)
Amazon.com
Northridge, California
Business Operations
Program Management
Project Management
$109k - $119k/yr
10,000+

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Raytheon
Software Engineer Co-op (January 2027)
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Raytheon
Added 1d ago
Software Engineer Co-op (January 2027)
Raytheon
Marlborough, Massachusetts
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$57k - $109k/yr
On-Site
10,000+

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Entrust Corporation
Software Engineer Co-op
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Entrust Corporation
Added 1d ago
Software Engineer Co-op
Entrust Corporation
Shakopee, Minnesota
Software Engineering
Systems Administration
Technical Product & Program Management
Technical Program Management
Hybrid
1,001-5,000

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Software Engineer Internship Market

Who's Hiring

  • Meta
    Meta14
  • Tesla
    Tesla11
  • Innovative Defense Technologies
    Innovative Defense Technologies9
  • Amazon
    Amazon7
  • Keysight Technologies
    Keysight Technologies5

Tips for Your Software Engineer Internship Search

Apply in fall for the following summer

Large employers, major tech companies, financial institutions, and consulting firms, open summer intern recruiting the preceding fall and fill cohorts months before the start date. If you wait until spring, many structured programs are already closed. Smaller companies and co-ops post closer to start dates, so check back regularly throughout the year.

Build a portfolio before you need it

Hiring teams expect limited work history at the intern level, so your project work becomes the proof. Complete two or three projects end-to-end, document what you built and why, name the languages and frameworks you used, and publish the code in a public repository. A visible, working project tells recruiters far more than a bullet point.

Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time

Campus career fairs surface structured intern programs tied to your university, and recruiters there often move faster for students they meet in person. Your professors and career center staff frequently know which employers recruit from your school before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach.

Practice coding screens out loud before your first interview

Software engineer intern interviews center on coding problems covering data structures and algorithms. Practice solving them out loud, explaining your approach as you go, interviewers weigh how you think as much as whether you reach the right answer. Platforms that let you practice in a timed, mock-interview format closest to the real screen prepare you fastest.

Target structured rotational and university programs early

Larger employers run rotational engineering intern programs designed to train people new to the field through placements on multiple teams. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and are competitive, identify the ones that fit your background and apply in the first wave. Missing the application window often means waiting a full year for the next cohort.

Set your work-type filter before you start

On-site roles are 38% of the software engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can actually commit to, on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you start sorting through listings. Filtering by location and work type upfront means you spend time on roles you can take, not ones you'll decline after reading the fine print.

Software Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a software engineer internship?

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

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

Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What actually drives it is performance on real deliverables, available headcount on the team, and whether you discuss return-offer timelines before the internship ends. Treat it as a possibility to work toward, not an outcome to count on.

When should I apply for software engineer internships?

Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, major tech companies, financial firms, and consulting practices, recruit summer interns the preceding fall, with some opening applications in August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to their actual start dates, so openings appear year-round and checking regularly pays off.

Are software engineer internships paid?

Most professional software engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, a startup internship and a large-tech internship rarely pay the same. Where an employer discloses pay, listings show it, so you can compare before applying.

What should a software engineer internship resume include?

Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the languages, frameworks, and tools you used, and link to the code on a public repository so recruiters can see it. Add relevant coursework, any open-source contributions, and keep the whole document to one page.

Are there remote software engineer internships?

Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 62% of the software engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they attract applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.

What is a software engineering new grad or rotational program internship?

Some large employers run structured rotational engineering internships that place participants on two or three different teams across the summer. These programs are designed for people early in their careers, include cohort-style mentorship, and recruit heavily from campus pipelines. They open applications early, often in fall for the following summer, and are competitive, so apply in the first wave.

Can international students get software 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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