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Intern Electrical Engineer Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Intern Electrical Engineer information

See Columbia, SC salary details

$10

$20

$27

How much do intern electrical engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 21, 2026, the average hourly pay for intern electrical engineer in Columbia, SC is $20.04, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.92 and $22.26 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an intern electrical engineer do?

An Intern Electrical Engineer assists experienced engineers with designing, developing, and testing electrical systems and components. Their tasks often include helping with schematic design, conducting experiments, analyzing data, preparing reports, and supporting ongoing engineering projects. Interns gain hands-on experience in the field and learn about industry standards and practices. They also collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and may have opportunities to contribute to real-world solutions under supervision.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an intern electrical engineer?

To thrive as an Intern Electrical Engineer, you need a solid grounding in electrical engineering principles, circuit analysis, and problem-solving, typically backed by progress toward a relevant bachelor's degree. Familiarity with CAD software, simulation tools (such as MATLAB or PSpice), and basic lab equipment is usually required. Strong communication, eagerness to learn, and teamwork skills help interns contribute effectively and grow within project teams. These abilities are vital for supporting engineering projects, adapting to real-world challenges, and developing technical proficiency in a professional environment.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an intern electrical engineer typically expect during their internship?

As an Intern Electrical Engineer, you can expect to be involved in a variety of hands-on and supportive tasks, such as assisting with circuit design, creating or updating schematics, performing equipment testing, and helping to troubleshoot technical issues. Interns often collaborate closely with experienced engineers and cross-functional teams, gaining exposure to project meetings and real-world problem solving. You may also work with industry-standard software and laboratory equipment, which provides valuable practical experience. The scope of your responsibilities will often grow as you demonstrate initiative and technical competence.

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

AspectIntern Electrical EngineerElectrical Engineer
QualificationsTypically pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's degree in electrical engineeringBachelor's degree in electrical engineering; often with professional licensure or certification
Work EnvironmentSupervised, entry-level tasks, internship settingFull-time, professional engineering projects, independent responsibilities
ResponsibilitiesAssisting with design, testing, and documentation under supervisionDesigning, analyzing, and implementing electrical systems independently

The main difference between an Intern Electrical Engineer and an Electrical Engineer lies in experience and responsibility level. Interns are typically students or recent graduates gaining practical experience, while Electrical Engineers are fully qualified professionals managing projects independently.

What are the most commonly searched types of Electrical Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC?

The most popular types of Electrical Engineer jobs in Columbia, SC are:

What cities near Columbia, SC are hiring for Intern Electrical Engineer jobs?

Cities near Columbia, SC with the most Intern Electrical Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Intern Electrical Engineer job openings in Columbia, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 8% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $41,690 per year, or $20 per hour.

Electrical Engineering Co-Op- University of South Carolina

Samtec, Inc

Columbia, SC • On-site

$17.50 - $23.25/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


Samtec rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 11 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

5th of 159 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Job Title: SAMTEC Signal Integrity Engineering Co-Op

Summary/Objective: Samtec is the global $1B+ technology leader for high speed connectivity solutions. Samtec is seeking an Electrical Engineering, Signal Integrity focused co-op.

The co-op will work with various managers and areas within our signal integrity group in order to gain exposure to the different aspects of high speed interconnect design. The position will be responsible for completing assigned projects, building trust within team members, maintaining customer focus, as well as initiating and following up on actions taken.  The ideal candidate for this position will have the ability to work with and take direction from senior engineers, be creative, passionate, and resourceful while taking initiative to explore new solutions to the issues they are presented with.

The student will be exposed to and expected to learn the basics in the many different signal integrity design practices used at SAMTEC.  These may include but are not limited to the following:

  • 3D Electromagnetic modeling
  • High Speed Interconnect analysis of printed circuit boards, packages, and connectors
  • Interconnect measurements using a Vector Network Analyzer and Time Domain Reflectometry
  • Understand Interconnect analysis methods and metrics used in Standards bodies
  • Scripting to assist in the post process analysis data

Qualifications:

  • Junior or Senior level student pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
  • Students planning to pursue a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering preferred
  • Have taken or plan to take courses in Electromagnetics, Microwave Engineering and Digital Signal Processing
  • Understand basic Wave Propagation, Transmission Line Theory, and Scattering Parameters
  • Familiar with high speed interconnect modeling tools such as MATLAB, ANSYS HFSS, Key Sight ADS
  • Excellent Written and Verbal Communication skills
  • Strong analytical and problem solving skills
  • Effective time management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects

What Samtec employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


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About SAMTEC

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

New Albany, IN, US

Year founded

1976

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