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Intern Computational Physicist Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Position Overview STI-TEC is seeking a dedicated and enthusiastic Intern in Physics to join our ... Familiarity with computational modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python). * Excellent ...

$18.75 - $24.50/hr

... the Antennas, Computational Electromagnetics, and Propagation Department team of the Applied ... Sufficient Physics, Mathematics, and /or Engineering course work covering basic electromagnetics ...

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Intern Computational Physicist information

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$142.5K

$168.8K

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How much do intern computational physicist jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for intern computational physicist in the United States is $168,844.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $155,500.00 and $182,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Intern Computational Physicist, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Intern Computational Physicist, you need a solid background in physics, mathematics, and programming, often supported by coursework or a degree in physics, applied mathematics, or a related field. Familiarity with scientific programming languages (such as Python, C++, or MATLAB), numerical simulation software, and version control systems is typically required. Analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication help distinguish candidates in collaborative research environments. These skills are crucial for accurately modeling physical systems, interpreting complex data, and contributing to research projects.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an Intern Computational Physicist expect during their internship?

As an Intern Computational Physicist, you will typically work on projects involving the simulation and modeling of physical systems using computational tools. You may assist with coding, data analysis, and running simulations under the guidance of senior researchers or physicists. Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, including engineers and software developers, is common, and you'll likely present your findings during team meetings. This role offers a valuable opportunity to gain hands-on experience with industry-standard computational software and to develop both technical and communication skills.

What does an Intern Computational Physicist do?

An Intern Computational Physicist assists in solving complex physical problems using computer simulations, mathematical modeling, and data analysis. They work under the supervision of senior physicists to develop and test algorithms, run simulations, and interpret results for research or industrial projects. Their work often involves programming, analyzing large datasets, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to address scientific challenges. This internship provides valuable hands-on experience in applying physics concepts to real-world problems using computational tools.

What is the difference between Intern Computational Physicist vs Intern Data Scientist?

AspectIntern Computational PhysicistIntern Data Scientist
Required CredentialsPhysics degree, programming skillsStatistics, programming, data analysis
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, industry R&DTech companies, finance, healthcare
Industry UsagePhysics research, simulation, modelingData analysis, machine learning, insights

Intern Computational Physicists focus on physics-based modeling and simulations, often in research or industry R&D, requiring physics background and programming skills. Intern Data Scientists analyze data to extract insights, typically in tech or business sectors, with skills in statistics and data analysis. While both roles involve programming, their core focus and industry applications differ significantly.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Computational Physicist jobs? The most popular types of Computational Physicist jobs are:
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What job categories do people searching Intern Computational Physicist jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Intern Computational Physicist jobs are:

Computational Physics Intern (Fall 2026)

Zipline

South San Francisco, CA โ€ข On-site

$20.25 - $26.25/hr

Other

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

About the Systems Modeling Team

The Systems Modeling Team has tremendous power to shape Zipline's products. We develop physics-based models and use them to architect our aircraft, as well as the supporting logistics system. Using simulation, we can rapidly explore a vast array of designs to optimize future products, and we can find ways to squeeze more performance out of our existing products.ย 

Systems Modeling brings diverse teams and fields together (e.g. electrical, thermal, mechanical, aerodynamics, battery chemistry, controls, fleet operations, economics) to gain new insights. We translate technical conversations into rigorously framed engineering problems. We value asking pertinent questions and generating coherent answers.

The Role

Leading the way in drone delivery requires pushing the limits of individual component technologies and carefully orchestrating which ones we put together to optimize the performance of the complete vehicle. How much of the benefit of a larger motor is counteracted by its aerodynamic penalty? How much range are we willing to give up for extra payload capacity? How do we optimally control battery charging - electrically and thermally - to strike a balance between turnaround time and battery longevity?

Answering these types of questions requires high-caliber computational tools. Zipline is seeking an engineering intern that can understand system-level problem statements, appreciate the tradeoffs between accuracy and computational efficiency, and architect elegant code tools. The outputs of these tools will directly drive critical architectural and operational decisions at the aircraft and fleet level.

What You'll Do

  • Develop computational tools to automate high-level design trades, optimizations, and sensitivity studies
  • Improve the performance and flexibility of simulation frameworks
  • Build physics-based models that underlie aircraft performance simulations
  • Analyze test data to validate vehicle component models
What You'll Bring
  • A drive to help people and make the world a better place
  • A basic understanding of fundamental physics:
    • Energy and power
    • Heat transferย 
    • Electrical circuits
    • Dynamics (kinematics, forces, moments, acceleration/rotation)
    • Fluids and aerodynamics
  • Passion for tackling challenging multidisciplinary problems
  • The ability to recognize tradeoffs in the design of complex computational analysis frameworksย 
  • Expertise in Matlab, Python, Julia, Rust, or similar; for modeling, simulation, optimization, and/or data analysis
  • Proficiency in numerical methodsย 

Nice to have:

  • Basic understanding of batteries, electric motors, and/or aircraft dynamics; and typical approaches to modeling them
  • Experience interpreting experimental data
  • Experience with model-based systems design, ideally in an extracurricular setting
What Else You Should Knowย 

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.

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.