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Controls Engineer Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

GKN Aerospace Careers

ME Intern

El Cajon, CA

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

The Manufacturing Engineer - Intern will support the development and implementation of automated ... Basic knowledge or exposure to robotics programming, automation systems, or industrial controls (e ...

GKN Aerospace

ME Intern

El Cajon, CA ยท On-site

$16.75 - $21.75/hr

The Manufacturing Engineer - Intern will support the development and implementation of automated ... Basic knowledge or exposure to robotics programming, automation systems, or industrial controls (e ...

Notable

Security Engineer Intern

San Mateo, CA ยท On-site

As a Security Engineer Intern, you will help design, build, and automate controls that protect our platform and data, partnering closely with Security, Infrastructure, and Product Engineering. What ...

Chevron

2026-2027 Petroleum Engineer Intern

Bakersfield, CA ยท On-site +1

$10K/mo

Petroleum engineers develop technical skills in production and reservoir engineering assignments ... S. export controls and trade sanctions. These export control laws apply to individuals who are (a ...

New

Shimmick

Electrical Field Engineer Intern

San Francisco, CA ยท On-site

$26 - $29/hr

Overview Shimmick is actively seeking a highly motivated Field Engineer Intern for employment in ... Axia offers electrical, instrumentation, and process controls expertise for water and wastewater ...

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All JobsControls Engineer Intern JobsControls Engineer Intern Jobs in California

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 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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Controls Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Controls Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Controls Engineer Intern jobs in California? For Controls Engineer Intern jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles 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:
Controls Engineer Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Controls Engineer Intern job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution.
Controls Engineer Intern (Fall 2026)

Controls Engineer Intern (Fall 2026)

Zipline

South San Francisco, CA

$100K - $129K/yr

Other

Re-posted 6 days ago

Job description

About the Flight Controls Team

Our Flight Controls team is at the heart of Zipline's product success - we are responsible for developing, testing and maintaining some of the critical flight software systems that enable our aircraft to complete missions autonomously, from takeoff through to predicting and executing a successful delivery, through to landing safely and accurately.ย  We develop novel solutions to give us the responsiveness, robustness and quality we need to ensure our delivery platforms can function in a wide range of increasingly challenging conditions and truly serve everyone in the world equally.

The Role

Zipline's people thrive on finding elegant solutions to complex problems, given what exists today and what we can develop to maturity quickly and confidently. We stay close to our customers, learn what really works, and find where we can put the leverage to make a big difference for them now.ย 

As an intern on the Flight Controls team, you will learn how we fly autonomous aircraft in a range of challenging flight conditions.ย  Using data from flight testing and simulation as well as our global fleet of customer aircraft, you will be looking for insights that can help improve our design.ย  Through this you'll have the opportunity to make changes to our systems that will measurably improve our product - your work will not just be theoretical; you will have the opportunity to see your contributions fly!

What You'll Do

  • Contribute to the design, implementation, testing and release of innovative flight algorithms that improve the operational performance of our vehicle controllers
  • Create tools and tests to demonstrate your design performance and protect against software regressions, using both theoretical guarantees and simulations
  • Analyze flight data to assess recent changes and upgrades, looking for regressions and potential areas for future improvement
  • Design onboard integrity tests to communicate when the system performance is degraded
  • Present key results and changes to the broader engineering team
What You'll Bring
  • Your applied math skills stand out even among aerospace engineers.
  • You think simulations and working with hardware are both fun.
  • You have owned and developed controls solutions for a team project, thesis, or competition
  • Exposure in one or more of the following areas: precision integrated inertial navigation, dynamic modeling of complex systems, linear control analysis, or optimal control with uncertainty.
  • Software engineering skills, preferably with both embedded software (C, C++, Rust) and technical computing (MATLAB, python, Julia, etc.).ย  Experience with Github and working in a multi-developer environment is an advantage.
What Else You Should Know

Our internships are full-time positions, in-person at our South San Francisco or Dallas office. We will host our Fall 2026 interns from September to December

Candidates are limited toย three (3) applications within a 30-day period.

Zipline is an equal opportunity employer 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 or our own sensibilities.

We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply!

Zipline is also committed to providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. Please let your point of contact at Zipline know if you require any accommodations throughout your interview process.

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