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First Year Software Engineer Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Software Engineer Internship This is a high-impact internship where you'll write real code, ship features, and see your work in production. Note: This is an in-office role, 5 days a week in San ...

OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree (internship ... Software Engineer/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year Software Engineer/Level II: $145,000 ...

To succeed in this role, you must be a technically excellent first-principles problem solver. You ... Software Engineer/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year Software Engineer/Level II: $145,000 ...

OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree (internship ... Software Engineer/Level I: $135,000.00 - $155,000.00/per year Software Engineer/Level II: $155,000 ...

Professional distributed systems experience (internship experience is applicable). * Networking ... Software Engineer/Level I: $122,500.00 - $145,000.00/per year Software Engineer/Level II: $140,000 ...

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First Year Software Engineer Internship information

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How much do first year software engineer internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average hourly pay for first year software engineer internship in the United States is $25.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.67 and $28.85 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between First Year Software Engineer Internship vs Software Engineer?

AspectFirst Year Software Engineer InternshipSoftware Engineer
CredentialsTypically students or recent graduates, some companies require coursework in CS or related fieldsBachelor's degree in CS or related field, sometimes a master's; professional experience varies
Work EnvironmentTemporary, project-based, mentorship-focused, often in tech companies or startupsFull-time, ongoing role with responsibilities in software development, testing, and deployment
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by tech companies for training and talent pipeline; common in software and tech industriesFull-time employment across various industries including tech, finance, healthcare, etc.

The main difference is that a First Year Software Engineer Internship is a temporary, learning-focused position for students or recent graduates, while a Software Engineer is a full-time, permanent role with ongoing responsibilities in software development.

What kinds of projects do first-year software engineer interns typically work on, and how do these contribute to their learning experience?

First-year software engineer interns are often assigned to collaborative projects that focus on foundational development tasks such as bug fixes, feature enhancements, or writing unit tests. These projects are designed to help interns become familiar with the company's codebase, development tools, and best practices, while allowing them to make tangible contributions. Interns usually work alongside experienced engineers who provide mentorship and code reviews, creating a supportive environment for learning and growth. This hands-on experience not only improves technical skills but also builds confidence in working within a professional software engineering team.

What is a First Year Software Engineer Internship?

A First Year Software Engineer Internship is an entry-level position designed for college students in their first year of study who are interested in pursuing a career in software engineering. Interns in this role typically work on real-world projects, learn programming languages, collaborate with experienced engineers, and gain hands-on experience in software development. These internships help students build foundational technical skills, understand the software development lifecycle, and explore potential career paths in technology. They also provide networking opportunities and sometimes lead to future full-time positions.

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

To thrive as a First Year Software Engineer Intern, you need a foundational understanding of programming concepts, problem-solving skills, and coursework or experience in computer science fundamentals. Familiarity with languages like Python, Java, or C++, and knowledge of version control systems such as Git, are typically expected. Strong communication, eagerness to learn, and teamwork help interns adapt quickly and contribute effectively in collaborative environments. These skills and qualities are important because they enable interns to learn efficiently, work productively with teams, and successfully tackle real-world engineering challenges.
What cities are hiring for First Year Software Engineer Internship jobs? Cities with the most First Year Software Engineer Internship job openings:
What states have the most First Year Software Engineer Internship jobs? States with the most job openings for First Year Software Engineer Internship jobs include:
Software Engineer, Low Latency Computing (Starlink)

Software Engineer, Low Latency Computing (Starlink)

SpaceX

Redmond, WA • On-site

$145K - $175K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 144 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

13th of 60 rated aerospace companies


Job description

SOFTWARE ENGINEER, LOW LATENCY COMPUTING (STARLINK)

At SpaceX we're leveraging our experience in building rockets and spacecraft to deploy Starlink, the world's most advanced broadband internet system. Starlink is the world's largest satellite constellation and is providing fast, reliable internet to millions of users worldwide. We design, build, test, and operate all parts of the system - thousands of satellites, consumer receivers that allow users to connect within minutes of unboxing, and the software that brings it all together. We've only begun to scratch the surface of Starlink's potential global impact and are looking for the world's best engineers to help maximize Starlink's utility for communities and businesses around the globe.

As a Software Engineer on the Starlink program, you will be solving challenges that improve our ability to fully utilize the hardware we have deployed. Our goal is to provide customers with the best possible satellite internet experience, often providing under-served communities with affordable, life-changing broadband internet access.

Our software engineers are responsible for the complete lifecycle of the software they create, including development, testing, and support. We expect our engineers to close the feedback loop between software design and real-world performance. In this role, your software will have a meaningful and measurable impact on the world.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Develop highly reliable, real-time software designed to run on the gateways, satellites, user terminals, and switches that make up our low latency, high capacity satellite-based global network.
  • Participate in and lead architecture, design, and code reviews.
  • Develop prototypes and manage experiments to prove out key design concepts.
  • Develop tools for software development and deployment, data analysis and visualization, and test execution across multiple environments, including virtualized hardware environments, real hardware-in-the-loop simulations, and on-orbit testing. reliable software deployment, test execution, and data analysis as part of a continuous integration and release system.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree in computer science, engineering, math, or STEM discipline; OR 2+ years of professional experience in software development in lieu of a degree (internship experience is applicable).
  • Development experience in assembly, C, or C++.

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:

  • Developed, debugged and deployed software that has been used in real world applications/projects.
  • Knowledgeable in real-time rendering, game engine development, physics simulation, or other real-time, resource-constrained, high-performance computing.
  • Creative approach to problem solving, exceptional analytical skills and engineering fundamentals.
  • Excellent communication skills both written and verbal.
  • Ability to work effectively in a dynamic environment with changing needs and requirements.
  • Experience with networking protocols (UDP, TCP/IP, etc) and distributed systems.
  • Experience in security issues associated with distributed systems and internet services.

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Must be willing to work extended hours and weekends as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:    
Pay range:    
Software Engineer/Level I: $125,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year    
Software Engineer/Level II: $145,000.00 - $175,000.00/per year    
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience.

Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k)-retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Exempt employees are eligible for 5 days of sick leave per year. Company shuttles are offered to employees for round trip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday. 


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