Software Systems Engineer Internships
Software systems 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 in {{top_industries_phrase}}, with Tesla, Meta, and Innovative Defense Technologies among the employers posting roles now.
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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.
Amazon Leo is Amazon’s low Earth orbit satellite network. Our mission is to deliver fast, reliable internet connectivity to customers beyond the reach of existing networks. From individual households to schools, hospitals, businesses, and government agencies, Amazon Leo will serve people and organizations operating in locations without reliable connectivity.
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 -
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 (Sunnyvale, San Diego, Santa Monica, Northridge)
- WA (Redmond, Seattle)
Export Control Requirement:
Due to applicable export control laws and regulations, candidates must be a U.S. citizen or national, U.S. permanent resident (i.e., current Green Card holder), or lawfully admitted into the U.S. as a refugee or granted asylum.
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.
NORTHRIDGE, CA, USA - 118,700.00 USD Annually
Redmond, WA, USA - 109,395.00 USD Annually
Software Systems Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring


Tips for Your Software Systems Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think necessary
Large employers open summer internship recruiting the preceding fall, sometimes as early as August. If you wait until spring, many structured cohorts are already full. Set a calendar reminder to check listings each September and apply to priority programs before October ends.
Build a portfolio before you apply
Hiring teams for software systems engineer interns assess candidates on evidence, not credentials alone. Build two or three complete projects that demonstrate systems thinking, link the code in a public repository, and document your design decisions. A visible project history gives recruiters something concrete to evaluate when your work experience is limited.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
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 alongside that campus activity widens the pool of internships you can reach.
Practice the actual software systems engineer intern screen out loud
Software systems engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering data structures, algorithms, and systems design concepts. Practice solving problems while explaining your reasoning aloud, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as whether you reach the correct answer.
Target structured university and rotational internship programs
Larger employers run cohort-based internship programs designed to onboard people new to the field, and these programs recruit early and fill fast. Identify which companies in your target industries run structured software engineering or systems engineering rotational programs, then apply in the first recruiting wave.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 50% of the software systems engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start applying, then filter by location and work type so you are not sorting through internships that don't fit your situation.
Software Systems Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a software systems engineer internship?
Lead with coursework, personal projects, and a portfolio rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For software systems engineer candidates, linked code repositories give 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 systems engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. What drives it for software systems engineer interns is performance on real project deliverables, available headcount on the team, and how early the employer communicates return-offer timelines. Treat conversion as a possibility worth working toward, not a certainty to plan around.
When should I apply for software systems engineer internships?
Earlier than most candidates expect. Large employers recruit summer interns the preceding fall, so applications at major technology and defense companies open as early as August or September. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates, which means openings appear year-round and it pays to check listings regularly.
Are software systems engineer internships paid?
Most professional software systems engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses a pay range, it appears directly in the listing, so the postings themselves are the most reliable place to compare what's on offer.
What should a software systems engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects that name the tools and technologies used and link to the code or repository where the work is visible. Add relevant coursework in systems, software architecture, or embedded systems. Keep the resume to one page, since intern hiring teams scan quickly.
Are there remote software systems engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 50% of the software systems engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill quickly because they attract applicants from across the country, so apply early and use the work-type filter to surface them without sorting through every listing.
Can international students get software systems 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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