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Computer Science Internship Jobs in Santa Cruz, CA

... computer scientist and quantum physicist who obtained his PhD at the age of 20. The company is ... The Opportunity We are seeking highly driven Brand Marketing & PR interns with an outstanding track ...

... computer scientist and quantum physicist who obtained his PhD at the age of 20. The company is ... The Opportunity We are seeking highly driven Brand Marketing & PR interns with an outstanding track ...

Project Intern

San Jose, CA · On-site

$61.99 - $82.66/hr

Students or recent graduates pursuing or who have earned a BS/MS in Computer Science, Information ... Interns have day‑one access to health insurance, life insurance, wellbeing benefits and more.

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Computer Science Internship information

See Santa Cruz, CA salary details

$9

$23

$52

How much do computer science internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for computer science internship in Santa Cruz, CA is $23.85, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $12.97 and $27.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are internship opportunities in computer science?

An internship in computer science provides on-the-job training for students who study computer science. Your duties in this program depend on the focus on the internship. Some interns get experiencing coding and developing software, applications, or website user interfaces. As an intern, you work under the direction of programming and development professionals. Your responsibilities include writing lines of code, testing and debugging software, learning computer languages in a realistic setting, and functioning as part of a team. Other computer science internships focus on providing technical support, cybersecurity services, or administration services as part of an IT team.

What is a computer science internship?

A computer science internship is a temporary position that allows students or recent graduates to gain practical experience in the field of computer science. Interns typically work on real-world projects, assisting with programming, software development, data analysis, or IT support under the supervision of experienced professionals. These internships provide valuable hands-on skills, networking opportunities, and insight into potential career paths within technology industries.

What types of projects does a computer science intern typically work on, and how much autonomy can I expect?

Computer Science interns often contribute to real-world projects such as developing new software features, debugging code, automating processes, or supporting infrastructure. While the level of autonomy varies by company, interns are generally given meaningful tasks and encouraged to collaborate with senior engineers and cross-functional teams. You'll likely participate in code reviews, agile sprints, and team meetings, gaining hands-on experience and feedback. Many organizations assign mentors to guide interns, helping them balance independence with structured learning and support.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a computer science intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Computer Science Intern, you generally need foundational knowledge in programming, algorithms, and data structures, often supported by progress toward a computer science degree. Familiarity with coding languages such as Python, Java, or C++, as well as experience using version control systems like Git, is typically expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, eagerness to learn, and effective communication skills help interns stand out in collaborative environments. These skills and qualities are essential because they enable interns to contribute meaningfully to projects, adapt to new technologies, and work efficiently within a development team.

What is the difference between Computer Science Internship vs Software Developer Intern?

AspectComputer Science InternshipSoftware Developer Intern
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in CS or related fieldSame as CS internship, often students or recent grads
Work EnvironmentVaries across tech companies, research labs, startupsPrimarily software development teams in tech firms
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across academia, industry, research projectsPrimarily in software development companies and tech industry
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding internship opportunities in CSComparing software development internship roles

Both Computer Science Internships and Software Developer Internships target students or recent graduates interested in tech. While CS internships may include research, data analysis, or broader technical roles, Software Developer Internships focus specifically on coding and software creation. The choice depends on your career goals and the specific skills you want to develop.

What do you do as a computer science intern?

A computer science intern typically assists with software development, coding, testing, and debugging projects. They may work with programming languages like Python, Java, or C++, and often collaborate with teams to gain practical experience in software engineering and problem-solving. Internships usually involve learning industry tools and following project deadlines under supervision.

What internships should I apply for in computer science?

Computer science internships are available in tech companies, startups, and research labs, often focusing on software development, data analysis, or cybersecurity. Applicants should have programming skills in languages like Python, Java, or C++, and may need to demonstrate problem-solving abilities or relevant coursework. Internships can be paid or unpaid and typically require a resume and sometimes a cover letter or technical assessment.
More about Computer Science Internship jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Computer Science jobs in Santa Cruz, CA?

The most popular types of Computer Science jobs in Santa Cruz, CA are:

What are popular job titles related to Computer Science Internship jobs in Santa Cruz, CA?

For Computer Science Internship jobs in Santa Cruz, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Computer Science Internship jobs in Santa Cruz, CA look for?

The top searched job categories for Computer Science Internship jobs in Santa Cruz, CA are:

What cities near Santa Cruz, CA are hiring for Computer Science Internship jobs?

Cities near Santa Cruz, CA with the most Computer Science Internship job openings:

Infographic showing various Computer Science Internship job openings in Santa Cruz, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,607 per year, or $23.8 per hour.

Applied Scientist Intern (Recommendation AI Lab) - 2026 Start (PhD) San Jose PhD Intern - 2026 Start

TikTok

San Jose, CA • On-site

$68.19 - $97.12/hr

Other

Medical, Life

Posted 18 days ago


TikTok rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

105th of 247 rated software companies


Job description

Applied Scientist Intern (Recommendation AI Lab) - 2026 Start (PhD)

Location: San Jose

Employment Type: Intern

Job Code: A125123

This team builds next-generation monetization platforms for TikTok ads, focusing on generative technologies in search, recommendation, and advertising. The internship focuses on foundation models for recommender and language tasks.

Responsibilities
  • Explore scaling laws for foundation models in recommendation and advertising, and build a foundation model based on unified multimodal semantic modeling.
  • Build an intelligent ad placement system optimized for users' Long-Term Value (LTV) and long-term ROAS, achieving an optimal balance between commercial value and user experience.
  • Optimize the full-process training and online inference framework for foundation models, balance computing power costs and real-time response performance, and resolve the performance‑latency trade‑off in real-world deployment.
Qualifications
  • Currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, or a related technical discipline.
  • Modeling experience in one or more of the areas: Ads, Search engine, Recommender System, NLP/CV.
  • Solid foundation in algorithms related to LLMs, including comprehensive learning and practical experience in areas such as single-modal LLM application and deployment.
  • Priority for candidates with research results and extensive practical experience in natural language processing, computer vision, data modeling, or algorithm optimization.
  • Excellent programming abilities with strong command of data structures and fundamental algorithms. Proficiency in C/C++ for traditional coding roles; proficiency in Python for intelligent coding roles.
  • Strong publication record in top conferences (e.g., ICLR, NeurIPS, ICML, ACL, EMNLP, CVPR, ICCV, ECCV) is a plus.
Job Information

Hourly Rate: $60- $60.

Benefits
  • Day one access to health insurance, life insurance, wellbeing benefits and more.
  • 10 paid holidays per year and paid sick time (56 hours if hired in first half of year, 40 if hired in second half).
  • Eligibility for housing allowance for interns not working 100% remote.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:

  1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;
  2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems;
  3. Exercising sound judgment.
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