Engineering Intern Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California is one of the top states for engineering intern visa sponsorship, with major tech employers like Google, Apple, Meta, and Qualcomm regularly hiring international interns across Silicon Valley, San Diego, and Los Angeles. Many of these roles support F-1 OPT or CPT authorization, making California a strong target for international students studying engineering in the U.S.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Are you a passionate civil engineering student looking for hands-on experience? BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years. At BKF, you'll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.
We're seeking a Civil Engineering Intern with an interest in land development, water resources, or transportation engineering. The ideal candidate will be based in the Bay Area, CA, and open to contributing to a range of public and private infrastructure projects.
Responsibilities
- Perform geometric calculations and plot cross-sections, profiles, and other design elements
- Conduct routine hydraulics calculations to support engineering designs
- Assist with site grading calculations and prepare associated plots
- Utilize computer and CAD systems for drafting and design documentation
- Collect and analyze data from public agencies to support project planning and permitting
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently enrolled in a B.S. program in Civil Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited curriculum or equivalent
- 1-2 years of academic coursework in civil engineering and/or internship experience
- Strong communication skills
- Team-oriented mindset
- Ability to follow technical direction and collaborate effectively
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Basic understanding of land development, water resources, or transportation engineering
- Familiarity with CAD software and hydraulic modeling tools
- Experience conducting field investigations or working with public agencies
- Exposure to grading, drainage, or transportation design tasks
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.
WORK CONDITIONS
Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.
BENEFITS
- Hourly pay range: $24.00 - $33.00
- Opportunity to work on iconic projects along the West Coast
- Enjoy tasty snacks and drinks every day
- Join a workplace committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Benefit from unlimited training opportunities and our Internship Advisor Program
- Experience a vibrant company culture with engaging events and activities
- Get involved in Employee Resource Groups for a welcoming atmosphere for all
BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.
INTRODUCTION
Are you a passionate civil engineering student looking for hands-on experience? BKF is a multi-service infrastructure consulting firm providing civil engineering and surveying services across California, the Pacific Northwest, and beyond. With offices throughout California and the Portland area, BKF has served transportation, water resources, land development, government, and federal clients for over 110 years. At BKF, you'll find a unique opportunity to grow your career with intention. Our culture values professional autonomy, innovation, and meaningful collaboration across offices. We are proud to be recognized with the Great Place to Work certification for the second year in a row.
We're seeking a Civil Engineering Intern with an interest in land development, water resources, or transportation engineering. The ideal candidate will be based in the Bay Area, CA, and open to contributing to a range of public and private infrastructure projects.
Responsibilities
- Perform geometric calculations and plot cross-sections, profiles, and other design elements
- Conduct routine hydraulics calculations to support engineering designs
- Assist with site grading calculations and prepare associated plots
- Utilize computer and CAD systems for drafting and design documentation
- Collect and analyze data from public agencies to support project planning and permitting
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Currently enrolled in a B.S. program in Civil Engineering or a related field from an ABET-accredited curriculum or equivalent
- 1-2 years of academic coursework in civil engineering and/or internship experience
- Strong communication skills
- Team-oriented mindset
- Ability to follow technical direction and collaborate effectively
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Basic understanding of land development, water resources, or transportation engineering
- Familiarity with CAD software and hydraulic modeling tools
- Experience conducting field investigations or working with public agencies
- Exposure to grading, drainage, or transportation design tasks
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
Must be able to regularly talk, hear and operate a computer, keyboard and mouse and occasionally lift, pull/push and carry up to 20 pounds with accommodations.
WORK CONDITIONS
Exposure to constant or intermittent sounds at a low or moderate level consistent with an office setting. Exposure to high-stress, fast-paced, deadline-oriented environment. Travel to other BKF locations and client sites may be required.
BENEFITS
- Hourly pay range: $24.00 - $33.00
- Opportunity to work on iconic projects along the West Coast
- Enjoy tasty snacks and drinks every day
- Join a workplace committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion
- Benefit from unlimited training opportunities and our Internship Advisor Program
- Experience a vibrant company culture with engaging events and activities
- Get involved in Employee Resource Groups for a welcoming atmosphere for all
BKF provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. BKF does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the event a recruiter or agency submits a resume or candidate without a previously signed agreement and a specific solicitation for the position or other approved engagement request for the position with BKF, BKF reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited submittals are done at the risk of the recruiter.
Engineering Intern Job Roles in California
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Search Engineering Intern Jobs in CaliforniaEngineering Intern Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for engineering interns in California?
Large technology and semiconductor companies are the most active sponsors for engineering interns in California. Employers like Google, Apple, Meta, Qualcomm, Intel, NVIDIA, and Salesforce have established international intern programs with the infrastructure to support visa documentation. Aerospace and defense firms such as Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman, which have significant California operations, also sponsor qualifying engineering intern roles.
Which visa types are most common for engineering intern roles in California?
Most international engineering interns in California work under F-1 student visa authorization, either through Curricular Practical Training (CPT) during the academic year or Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. J-1 visa exchange visitor visas are also used for structured internship programs sponsored by designated exchange program sponsors. H-1B visa sponsorship for internships is rare, as most intern positions are temporary and employers typically reserve H-1B petitions for full-time roles.
Which cities in California have the most engineering intern sponsorship jobs?
The San Francisco Bay Area, including San Jose, Mountain View, Sunnyvale, and Menlo Park, concentrates the largest number of engineering intern sponsorship opportunities, driven by the density of technology companies in Silicon Valley. Los Angeles has a growing presence in aerospace, defense, and software engineering internships. San Diego is a significant hub for semiconductor, biomedical engineering, and wireless technology internships, largely due to Qualcomm and a strong life sciences sector.
How to find engineering intern visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters engineering intern job listings in California specifically by visa sponsorship availability, saving you from manually screening hundreds of postings. You can browse roles by city, industry, and employer type within the platform. Because California's tech hiring is highly competitive and seasonal, checking Migrate Mate regularly during fall and winter recruiting cycles gives international students the best chance of finding active openings before application deadlines close.
Are there any California-specific considerations for engineering interns seeking visa sponsorship?
California's concentration of top engineering programs at UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, UC San Diego, and USC creates a deep pipeline of international students competing for intern roles, so early applications matter. California employers are generally experienced with F-1 CPT and OPT documentation, but interns must ensure their university's international student office authorizes the work before starting. Some defense and aerospace roles in California require security clearances that effectively limit eligibility to U.S. persons, so confirming clearance requirements before applying is important.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored engineering intern jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.