Internship Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
California hosts more internship visa sponsorship opportunities than any other U.S. state, driven by tech giants in Silicon Valley, biotech firms in the Bay Area and San Diego, and entertainment studios in Los Angeles. Companies like Google, Apple, Meta, Genentech, and Qualcomm regularly sponsor international interns. Most positions are concentrated in San Francisco, San Jose, Los Angeles, and San Diego.
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Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 65 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With nearly 1,500 professionals across 36 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths.
Job Description
What are your plans for Summer 2027?
At KPFF San Francisco, we are looking for Structural Engineering Interns who want to do meaningful work on real-world projects. This is not a “shadow and observe” internship; you’ll be a contributor on projects that shape our communities and learn alongside engineers who are passionate about both design and mentorship.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Hands-on project work: Gain practical experience contributing to real structural engineering projects.
- Mentorship and growth: Learn directly from experienced engineers invested in your success.
- Collaboration: Work in a multidisciplinary office environment in downtown San Francisco, learning from diverse perspectives across project lifecycles.
- Team culture: Take part in social events, networking opportunities, and professional development activities.
- Career pathways: We see internships as the first step in a long-term journey. Many of our interns become full-time KPFF engineers after graduation.
Qualifications
Who We’re Looking For
We’re excited to connect with students who are curious, collaborative, and eager to grow their skills in consulting and structural engineering. If you enjoy solving problems, working as part of a team, and applying what you’ve learned in the classroom to real projects, this is a place to test your skills, ask questions, and see where structural engineering can take you.
Required:
- Enrolled in a Bachelor’s (junior standing or higher) or Master’s program in civil or structural engineering.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to manage time effectively and stay organized.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
Preferred:
- Familiarity with structural analysis software (ETABS, SAP2000, or RISA).
- Experience with Autodesk Revit.
- EIT certification or a plan to pursue certification in the future.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to work on a computer for extended periods, reviewing plans and performing design analysis.
- Comfort with conducting site visits and navigating construction sites, including climbing ladders and walking on uneven terrain.
- Ability to lift up to 15 pounds of equipment or materials.
Additional Information
How to Apply: To be considered, you’ll need to provide three items: resume, cover letter, and your current unofficial transcripts. Start by submitting your resume online or using an Easy Apply option. You’ll receive a follow-up email with a link where you can upload your cover letter and transcripts. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything ready at once, you’ll have a chance to add the rest after applying. Your application will be complete once all three items are submitted.
Note: This internship requires you to be onsite and is not a remote position.
Compensation
KPFF is committed to offering competitive pay that reflects both market standards and the local cost of living. For the San Francisco Structural Engineering Internship, the hourly pay range is $33.50-$37.50, depending on your education level, relevant experience, and skills.
In addition to hourly pay, interns at KPFF benefit from:
- Exposure to a wide variety of projects that add real value to your academic and professional development.
- Mentorship and training that are part of KPFF’s investment in future engineers.
- Networking and career growth opportunities, including the potential for full-time employment after graduation.
Our Culture
At KPFF, interns are valued as meaningful contributors from day one. We provide a supportive and collaborative environment that empowers you to take ownership of your work while exploring creative approaches. Interns at KPFF gain insight, confidence, and professional experience that lasts well beyond the summer.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
Company Description
At KPFF Consulting Engineers, we are more than just an engineering design firm. For over 65 years, we have dedicated ourselves to innovative, sustainable engineering that shapes the built environment and tackles complex infrastructure challenges. Our team culture emphasizes balance, growth, and well-being, supporting each member’s professional journey with flexibility, generous benefits, and a collaborative approach to work-life integration.
With nearly 1,500 professionals across 36 offices nationwide, KPFF’s decentralized structure allows each office the flexibility to pursue projects aligned with their regional strengths.
Job Description
What are your plans for Summer 2027?
At KPFF San Francisco, we are looking for Structural Engineering Interns who want to do meaningful work on real-world projects. This is not a “shadow and observe” internship; you’ll be a contributor on projects that shape our communities and learn alongside engineers who are passionate about both design and mentorship.
Here’s what you can expect:
- Hands-on project work: Gain practical experience contributing to real structural engineering projects.
- Mentorship and growth: Learn directly from experienced engineers invested in your success.
- Collaboration: Work in a multidisciplinary office environment in downtown San Francisco, learning from diverse perspectives across project lifecycles.
- Team culture: Take part in social events, networking opportunities, and professional development activities.
- Career pathways: We see internships as the first step in a long-term journey. Many of our interns become full-time KPFF engineers after graduation.
Qualifications
Who We’re Looking For
We’re excited to connect with students who are curious, collaborative, and eager to grow their skills in consulting and structural engineering. If you enjoy solving problems, working as part of a team, and applying what you’ve learned in the classroom to real projects, this is a place to test your skills, ask questions, and see where structural engineering can take you.
Required:
- Enrolled in a Bachelor’s (junior standing or higher) or Master’s program in civil or structural engineering.
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
- Ability to manage time effectively and stay organized.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Word.
Preferred:
- Familiarity with structural analysis software (ETABS, SAP2000, or RISA).
- Experience with Autodesk Revit.
- EIT certification or a plan to pursue certification in the future.
Physical Requirements:
- Ability to work on a computer for extended periods, reviewing plans and performing design analysis.
- Comfort with conducting site visits and navigating construction sites, including climbing ladders and walking on uneven terrain.
- Ability to lift up to 15 pounds of equipment or materials.
Additional Information
How to Apply: To be considered, you’ll need to provide three items: resume, cover letter, and your current unofficial transcripts. Start by submitting your resume online or using an Easy Apply option. You’ll receive a follow-up email with a link where you can upload your cover letter and transcripts. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything ready at once, you’ll have a chance to add the rest after applying. Your application will be complete once all three items are submitted.
Note: This internship requires you to be onsite and is not a remote position.
Compensation
KPFF is committed to offering competitive pay that reflects both market standards and the local cost of living. For the San Francisco Structural Engineering Internship, the hourly pay range is $33.50-$37.50, depending on your education level, relevant experience, and skills.
In addition to hourly pay, interns at KPFF benefit from:
- Exposure to a wide variety of projects that add real value to your academic and professional development.
- Mentorship and training that are part of KPFF’s investment in future engineers.
- Networking and career growth opportunities, including the potential for full-time employment after graduation.
Our Culture
At KPFF, interns are valued as meaningful contributors from day one. We provide a supportive and collaborative environment that empowers you to take ownership of your work while exploring creative approaches. Interns at KPFF gain insight, confidence, and professional experience that lasts well beyond the summer.
KPFF Consulting Engineers participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
KPFF Consulting Engineers is an equal opportunity employer and considers all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, sex/gender (including sexual orientation or gender identity), pregnancy, veteran status, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, or any other protected basis.
Internship Job Roles in California
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Search Internship Jobs in CaliforniaInternship Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for internships in California?
California's largest tech employers, including Google, Apple, Meta, Salesforce, and Nvidia, have established international intern sponsorship programs. Biotech and life sciences companies such as Genentech, Gilead Sciences, and Qualcomm also sponsor interns, particularly in the Bay Area and San Diego. Aerospace and defense firms in Southern California, including Northrop Grumman and Raytheon, are additional sources of sponsored internship positions.
Which visa types are most common for internship roles in California?
The most common visa pathways for interns in California are F-1 OPT and CPT, which allow international students enrolled at U.S. universities to work without employer sponsorship of a separate petition. For structured employer-sponsored internships, the J-1 visa Exchange Visitor visa under the intern or trainee category is widely used. Some longer-term roles transition to H-1B visa sponsorship after graduation, but that requires a separate petition process.
Which cities in California have the most internship sponsorship jobs?
San Jose and the broader Silicon Valley corridor consistently post the highest volume of sponsored internship roles, anchored by semiconductor, software, and cloud computing employers. San Francisco follows closely, particularly for fintech and enterprise software companies. Los Angeles is the leading market for media, entertainment technology, and e-commerce internships. San Diego is the primary hub for biotech, genomics, and wireless communications internship opportunities.
How to find internship visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for international job seekers and filters internship listings in California by visa sponsorship availability, so you are not sorting through roles that won't consider international candidates. You can narrow results by city, industry, or visa type to focus on employers actively sponsoring interns. Searching Migrate Mate regularly is worthwhile because California sponsorship postings, particularly in tech and biotech, are updated frequently.
Are there state-specific considerations for international interns in California?
California's prevailing wage requirements under state labor law apply to many internship roles, meaning employers must pay at or above established wage levels even for short-term positions. University pipelines are strong here: UC Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, USC, and UCSD have deep employer relationships that generate sponsored intern opportunities. International students on CPT should confirm their program start date aligns with their university's academic calendar requirements, as California universities enforce CPT eligibility rules strictly.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored internship 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.