Validation Engineer Internships
Validation 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 Manufacturing and Electronics & Hardware, with Tesla and AMETEK among the employers posting roles now.
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San Diego, CA, US, 92121
About Us:
Join AMETEK Programmable Power, a leader in cutting-edge programmable power solutions and systems. We specialize in designing and delivering precision AC and DC programmable power supplies, electronic loads, power subsystems, and compliance test solutions. If you're ready to work at the forefront of differentiated power technologies, this is your opportunity to make an impact in a fast-paced, high-tech environment!
Internship Summary:
The Electrical Engineer Intern will support the development of AC and DC power conversion products and assist with compliance and validation activities. The role involves hands-on work in prototype builds, material validation, and certification testing to ensure product reliability and regulatory compliance. The intern will collaborate with senior engineers to evaluate new topologies, select components for improved efficiency, and address lifecycle challenges for sustaining hardware.
This is an onsite position in San Diego, CA. It is a year-round internship with an expectation of 20–28 hours per week during the school year and the opportunity to work full-time during academic breaks.
Key Responsibilities:
New AC Source Product Development
- Collaborate with senior engineers on design and development of next-generation programmable AC sources. Responsibilities include evaluating new topologies, selecting components for improved efficiency and reliability, and supporting prototype builds to extend power capability and meet evolving customer requirements.
Certification & Compliance Testing
- Assist in performing certification tests after engineering completes front-end work and coordinate with external labs (TUV, CSA, Nemko) to ensure timely compliance with global standards (CE, NRTL, IEC 61000 series, SEMI F47, OSHA-driven requirements).
Material Availability & End-of-Life Component Selection
- Address challenges with obsolete or unavailable components, extended lead times, and cost increases. Work with engineering and QA to validate alternative materials without impacting product specifications.
Validation Testing
- Support sourcing samples, building units, and completing rigorous validation for new materials and components. Critical components often require 30–40 hours of testing and approval from start to finish.
Cross-Training & Future Projects
- This individual will also be trained on multiple current product lines (SGX, AST, SQ/TA) and support verification of new features for upcoming projects. Knowledge with high voltage, high power, AC and DC outputs, power electronics topologies strongly desired.
Requirements:
- Junior or Senior year studying Electrical Engineering.
- Laboratory experience and knowledge of analytical devices such as DMM and oscilloscopes.
- Proficient in common engineering design tools, such as simulation software, mathematical analysis, schematic capture, MS Excel/Word, and database applications.
- Knowledge with PWB layout software is desirable (Altium, PADs, OrCAD)
- Knowledge of design of analog and digital electronics, working experience a plus.
- Knowledge in the use of PC-based development tools and firmware (C, C++, Visual Basic) for microcontrollers, DSPs, and user interface (data communications, GUIs) is desirable.
- Good interpersonal skills, written and oral communication skills, and ability to work cooperatively in a team environment.
- Good organizational skills
- Ability to multitask effectively and meet deadlines.
- Previous internship experience is desirable.
- Must be able to commit min 20 to 28 hours per week during school year.
What We Offer:
- Intern pay range for students pursuing a Bachelor's degree: $26.00 - 30.00 per hour.
- Mentorship from experienced engineers.
- Exposure to real-world projects and cutting-edge technologies.
- Networking opportunities within the organization.
- On site manufacturing of products which will expose the intern to the following:
- Understanding how components come together in real-world production
- Quality Control
- Manufacturing Workflow
- Document Control
- Supply Chain Awareness
- On site PCBA design and assembly. Schematic & PCB Layout Design. Solder Paste Printing. Pick-and-Place. Reflow Soldering. Through-Hole Assembly.
- Working with engineers, technicians, quality teams, sales, marketing, and shipping to meet production goals.
Compensation
Disclaimer: Where a specific pay range is noted, it is a good faith estimate at the time of this posting. The actual salary offered will be based on experience, skills, qualifications, market / business considerations, and geographic location.
For more information on AMETEK's competitive benefits, please click here.
AMETEK, Inc. is a leading global provider of industrial technology solutions serving a diverse set of attractive niche markets with annual sales over $7.5 billion.
AMETEK is committed to making a safer, sustainable, and more productive world a reality. We use differentiated technology solutions to solve our customers’ most complex challenges. We employ 22,000 colleagues, in 35 countries, that are grounded by our core values: Ethics and Integrity, Respect for the Individual, Inclusion, Teamwork, and Social Responsibility. AMETEK is a component of the S&P 500. Visit https://www.ametek.com/careers for more information.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and do not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a veteran, and basis of disability or any other federal, state or local protected class. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process should call 1 (866) 263-8359.
Validation Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring


Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
Tips for Your Validation Engineer Internship Search
Apply in the fall for summer roles
Large employers in medical devices, semiconductors, and aerospace close their summer intern cohorts months before the start date, often by November or December. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to the term, so check listings through the spring. Starting early keeps every window open.
Build a project portfolio before you apply
Validation engineer intern screens focus on what you can demonstrate, not your work history. Document two or three projects with the tools used, test plans, IQOQPQ protocols, acceptance criteria, or verification scripts, and make them accessible via a linked portfolio, GitHub repository, or PDF. That artifact gives recruiters something concrete to assess.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Career fairs surface structured university programs your school already has relationships with, and professors and career center staff often know which employers recruit from your campus before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside that campus activity widens the pool you can reach without doubling your effort.
Practice the validation engineer technical screen out loud
Intern screens for validation engineers typically involve a technical conversation on test methodology, failure analysis, or design verification concepts, and sometimes a short written or practical exercise. Practice explaining your reasoning aloud, not just arriving at answers, since interviewers weigh how you think through a problem as much as the final conclusion.
Target structured university and rotational programs first
Large employers in regulated industries run cohort programs specifically built to train people new to validation work. These programs recruit early, fill fast, and often include mentorship and cross-functional rotations. Identify the ones at companies in your target industry and apply in the first wave, waiting until the general posting goes live often means the cohort is already full.
Set your work-type filter before you start
On-site roles are 100% of the validation engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to, on-site, hybrid, or remote, before you open applications. Filtering by location and work type first means you spend time on roles you can actually take, not sorting through postings after the fact.
Validation Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a validation engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. Build a documented project portfolio that gives recruiters something concrete to assess: test plans, validation protocols, or lab reports that show you can structure a methodology and interpret results. Combine direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can a validation 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 your performance on real validation work, whether the team has open headcount, and how early you express interest in returning. Position yourself by treating every project as a permanent-hire audition without counting on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for validation engineer internships?
Earlier than most students expect. Large employers, including medical device, semiconductor, and aerospace companies with structured summer cohorts, recruit the preceding fall, often closing applications before spring semester begins. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round and checking regularly pays off.
Are validation engineer internships paid?
Most professional validation engineer internships in the U.S. are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location, a large medical device manufacturer typically pays differently from a small contract research organization. Where employers disclose pay, it appears directly in the listing, so you can filter and compare as you search.
What should a validation engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. List two or three complete, documented projects with the tools and methods used, validation protocols, test scripts, IQOQPQ documentation, or CAD models, and include a link or portfolio reference so reviewers can assess your work directly. Add relevant coursework in engineering, quality systems, or statistics, and keep the whole document to one page.
Are there remote validation engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 0% of the validation engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw a national applicant pool, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get validation 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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