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Controls Engineer Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Electrical Engineer Intern Location US-CA-Carlsbad # Positions 1 Category Engineering Position ... BCS industry-leading energy-efficient lighting controls technology and services are designed to ...

Follow all cleanroom protocols, ESD controls, and safety procedures Learning Objectives During the internship, the Process Engineer Intern will gain experience in: * Semiconductor manufacturing ...

Follow all cleanroom protocols, ESD controls, and safety procedures Learning Objectives During the internship, the Process Engineer Intern will gain experience in: * Semiconductor manufacturing ...

What You'll Do This intern will assist quality engineers on manufacturing processes and controls to be used on the production line and help troubleshoot manufacturing issues to mitigate patient risk.

What You'll Do This intern will assist quality engineers on manufacturing processes and controls to be used on the production line and help troubleshoot manufacturing issues to mitigate patient risk.

... engineer intern to join our CMS Project based out of Martinez, CA. MWH Constructors?is a global ... Essential Functions * Assist with project controls, change orders, RFIs, and other construction ...

... engineer intern to join our CMS Project based out of Martinez, CA. MWH Constructors?is a global ... Essential Functions * Assist with project controls, change orders, RFI's, and other construction ...

Field Engineer Intern

Martinez, CA · On-site

$24 - $28/hr

... engineer intern to join our CMS Project based out of Martinez, CA. MWH Constructors?is a global ... Essential Functions * Assist with project controls, change orders, RFI's, and other construction ...

As an intern, you will work closely with the anode engineering team to design and execute ... export controls. Employment in this position is conditioned on the continued availability of ...

New

The ADI Power uModule Team is seeking a motivated and experienced Applications Engineering Intern ... S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this ...

The ADI Power uModule Team is seeking a motivated and experienced Applications Engineering Intern ... S. Department of State - Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. As such, applicants for this ...

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Controls Engineer Intern information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Controls Engineer Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Controls Engineer Intern, you need a foundation in electrical or mechanical engineering principles, familiarity with automation concepts, and enrollment in a relevant engineering degree program. Hands-on experience with PLC programming, HMI software, and CAD tools, as well as knowledge of industry standards, are typically required. Strong problem-solving, teamwork, and communication skills help interns excel in collaborative and fast-paced project environments. These skills and qualifications enable effective troubleshooting, system design, and integration essential for successful automation solutions.

What types of projects and responsibilities can a Controls Engineer Intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Controls Engineer Intern, you can expect to support senior engineers on projects such as designing, programming, and testing automation systems used in manufacturing or industrial environments. Your daily tasks may include drafting electrical schematics, assisting with PLC programming, troubleshooting control panels, and helping to commission automated equipment. Interns often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical engineers and technicians, to ensure smooth integration of control systems. This hands-on experience provides valuable exposure to real-world engineering challenges and can be a stepping stone to a full-time position.

What does a Controls Engineer Intern do?

A Controls Engineer Intern assists in designing, developing, and maintaining automated control systems used in manufacturing or industrial settings. Typical tasks include programming PLCs (Programmable Logic Controllers), troubleshooting equipment, and supporting senior engineers with system integration and testing. Interns gain hands-on experience with automation software and hardware, and they often contribute to projects that improve process efficiency and safety. This role is ideal for students in engineering fields who want practical experience in automation and controls technology.

What is the difference between Controls Engineer Intern vs Controls Engineer?

AspectControls Engineer InternControls Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing a degree in electrical, mechanical, or control engineering; internship experienceBachelor's or master's degree in engineering; professional certifications may be preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in manufacturing or automation companies, supervised by experienced engineersFull-time role in design, development, and maintenance of control systems within industrial settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by companies hiring interns to gain future talent; common in manufacturing, automation, and roboticsFull-time position in similar industries, focusing on project execution and system optimization

The Controls Engineer Intern role is an entry-level position designed for students gaining practical experience, while the Controls Engineer is a full-time professional responsible for designing and maintaining control systems. Interns typically work under supervision, whereas engineers operate independently on complex projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in California are:
What job categories do people searching Controls Engineer Intern jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Controls Engineer Intern jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Controls Engineer Intern jobs? Cities in California with the most Controls Engineer Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Controls Engineer Intern job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 57% Internship, 29% Full Time, and 14% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

Controls Engineer Intern

Foundation Robotics

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Temporary

Posted 17 days ago


Job description

About Us
Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.
Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.
We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team.
Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite - it's your talent and determination that truly count.
We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.
Our Culture
We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.
About This Role
Why You Should Join
  • You are highly technical - regardless of the role you are in. We are building technology; you need to understand technology well.
  • You care about aesthetics and design inside out. If it's not the best product ever, it bothers you, and you need to "fix" it.
  • You don't need someone to motivate you; you get things done.

Why are We Hiring for this Role:
  • We are building dexterous hands and fingers for an all-purpose humanoid - systems with 20+ degrees of freedom packaged in the volume of a human hand, that must move with precision, speed, and adaptability - and we need dedicated controls engineering bandwidth to make that happen
  • Our hands are only as good as the control loops driving them; without tight, well-tuned control at the joint and finger level, even the best mechanism becomes unpredictable in contact with the real world
  • We are a small team moving fast - this intern will not be shadowing anyone, they will own real subsystems, write firmware that runs on hardware, and contribute directly to milestones that matter
  • The controls stack for a dexterous robotic hand is an unsolved problem at the frontier of robotics - impedance control, contact detection, tendon coupling, and real-time sensor fusion all need engineering attention that our current team cannot absorb alone
  • We believe the best controls engineers are built early by working on hard hardware problems - this role is designed to give a talented student that foundation in a compressed, high-impact environment
  • Every intern we bring in is a potential full-time hire; we are building the team that will ship the first truly capable humanoid hand, and we want people who want to grow with that mission

What Kind of person are we looking for
  • Currently pursuing a BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Robotics, or a closely related field - with coursework in control systems theory (state-space representation, Bode/Nyquist analysis, stability margins, PID design)
  • Foundational understanding of dynamics and kinematics for multi-body systems - you know what a Jacobian is, why it matters for robotic finger control, and how to use it
  • Exposure to modern control techniques beyond PID: state feedback, LQR, feedforward compensation, or impedance/admittance control - even if only from coursework or self-study
  • Understanding of sampled-data systems and discrete-time control - you know why sample rate matters for a fast motor control loop and what aliasing means in a sensor pipeline
  • Proficient in Python for simulation, prototyping, and data analysis - you can tune a controller in simulation before touching hardware
  • Working knowledge of C or C++ for embedded firmware - you are not afraid of pointers, interrupt handlers, or register-level peripheral configuration on microcontrollers (STM32, Teensy, ESP32, or similar)
  • Familiarity with at least one robotics framework - ROS2 preferred - including writing nodes, publishing sensor topics, and using standard tools like rqt and rviz for debugging
  • Experience with MATLAB/Simulink is a plus, particularly for control loop modeling and simulation before embedded deployment

To be a great candidate, you don't have to check every box. If you're excited about building the next generation of robotic hands and believe you'd bring something valuable to the team, we encourage you to apply. If you have a project presentation or portfolio that showcases relevant work, attach it to your application. Concrete proof of excellence will significantly strengthen your candidacy.