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Materials Lab Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Terranova

Lab Intern

Berkeley, CA · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Lab Intern Backed by leading climate and American dynamism investors, Terranova builds intelligent ... Experience with environmental or materials testing -- soil, sediment, water quality, corrosion, or ...

New

Hydrite

QC Lab Intern (Summer 2027)

Visalia, CA · On-site

$20 - $25.50/hr

Potential for full-time opportunities upon graduation JOIN A TOP WORKPLACE - QC Lab Intern (Summer ... Perform required quality control analysis of incoming, manufactured, and outgoing materials under ...

Hydrite

QC Lab Intern (Summer 2027)

Visalia, CA · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

Potential for full-time opportunities upon graduation JOIN A TOP WORKPLACE - QC Lab Intern (Summer ... Perform required quality control analysis of incoming, manufactured, and outgoing materials under ...

Hydrite

QC Lab Intern (Summer 2027)

Visalia, CA · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

Potential for full-time opportunities upon graduation JOIN A TOP WORKPLACE - QC Lab Intern (Summer ... Perform required quality control analysis of incoming, manufactured, and outgoing materials under ...

Hydrite

QC Lab Intern (Summer 2027)

Visalia, CA · On-site

$21 - $25/hr

Potential for full-time opportunities upon graduation JOIN A TOP WORKPLACE - QC Lab Intern (Summer ... Perform required quality control analysis of incoming, manufactured, and outgoing materials under ...

TE Connectivity

$37.29 - $57.15/hr

The applicant will perform hands-on work in a lab environment, assisting in materials formulation ... Intern Day celebration activities. A unique employee resource group we have is the Young ...

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Materials Lab Intern information

What does a materials lab intern do?

A Materials Lab Intern assists in conducting experiments and tests on various materials to evaluate properties like strength, durability, and composition. They typically help prepare samples, operate lab equipment, record data, and assist with analysis under the supervision of senior engineers or scientists. This role provides hands-on experience with laboratory procedures and technical skills relevant to materials science. It is ideal for students or recent graduates seeking practical experience in research and development environments.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a materials lab intern?

To thrive as a Materials Lab Intern, you need a solid foundation in materials science principles, laboratory techniques, and data analysis, typically acquired through coursework in engineering or related fields. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, safety protocols, and software like MATLAB or Excel is often required. Strong attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and effective communication help interns collaborate with teams and accurately document results. These competencies are crucial for ensuring reliable experimental outcomes and supporting research and development within the lab.

What types of projects and hands-on tasks can a materials lab intern expect to work on during their internship?

As a Materials Lab Intern, you can expect to participate in a variety of hands-on projects, such as preparing samples, conducting material property tests (like tensile strength or hardness), and analyzing test results under the supervision of experienced engineers or scientists. Interns often help with data collection, maintain lab equipment, and contribute to research and development efforts on new materials or product improvements. This role provides practical experience with laboratory instruments and exposure to industry-standard testing protocols, offering valuable insight into the daily operations of a materials science team.

What is the difference between Materials Lab Intern vs Materials Technician?

AspectMaterials Lab InternMaterials Technician
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate with relevant courseworkHigh school diploma or associate degree, sometimes certifications
Work EnvironmentLaboratory setting, supervised, learning-focusedHands-on testing, quality control, more independent
Industry UsageInternship programs in manufacturing, construction, researchManufacturing plants, quality assurance labs

The Materials Lab Intern role is primarily educational, focusing on gaining experience and learning about material testing. In contrast, the Materials Technician performs more routine testing and quality control tasks, often with greater independence. Both roles are essential in industries like manufacturing and construction, but they differ in experience level and responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Materials Lab jobs in California?

The most popular types of Materials Lab jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Materials Lab Intern jobs?

Cities in California with the most Materials Lab Intern job openings:

Materials Lab Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Materials Lab Intern job openings in California as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 12% Internship, 70% Full Time, and 18% Part Time. Highlights an 94% In-person, and 6% Remote job distribution.

Lab Intern

Berkeley, CA • On-site

Terranova
See more jobs at Terranovaexternal

$25 - $35/hr

Other

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Lab Intern

Backed by leading climate and American dynamism investors, Terranova builds intelligent robotic systems to terraform the Earth itself — lifting land, restoring wetlands, and protecting critical infrastructure from floods and sea-level rise. Our mission is to preserve the built environment, create new habitats, and usher in an era of abundance. Our work supports climate resilience, disaster recovery, and defense across the United States and beyond. We're assembling a world-class team that wants to work on something real, physical, and civilization-scale. If you want your work to reshape the world — literally — this is the place to do it.

We're seeking a lab intern to support our engineering team in testing, validating, and iterating on the robotic systems that power Terranova's work. You'll spend your time hands-on in the lab — running experiments, maintaining test rigs, collecting and logging data, and helping turn engineering designs into working hardware. It's a chance to see how a physical product gets built and proven out, from bench test to field-ready system.

Key Responsibilities

  • Set up, run, and monitor lab experiments and hardware tests in support of the engineering team
  • Maintain, calibrate, and troubleshoot lab equipment, test rigs, and sensor instrumentation
  • Collect, organize, and log test data, and help summarize results for engineers
  • Assist with prototyping, assembly, and basic fabrication of hardware components
  • Support integration and validation testing as systems move from bench to field
  • Document lab procedures, test setups, and findings for the team
  • Follow lab safety protocols and help keep the workspace organized and running smoothly

Requirements

  • Comfortable with the pace and intensity of early-stage startup life
  • Working towards a bachelor's degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Biology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field
  • Comfortable in a lab environment
  • U.S. permanent residency required

Preferred Skills and Experience

  • Hands-on wet lab experience
  • Experience with environmental or materials testing — soil, sediment, water quality, corrosion, or durability
  • Familiarity with lab instrumentation (pH meters, spectrophotometers, GC/HPLC, microscopy)
  • Basic data analysis skills (Excel, Python, or MATLAB) for processing experimental data
  • Background in materials science, polymers, or composites a plus
  • Coursework or project experience in environmental, geotechnical, or fluid systems a bonus
  • Strong lab safety practices and attention to detail
  • Comfortable with fieldwork or sample collection outside the lab

Compensation and Timeline

  • $25–35/hr, plus relocation and company perks
  • Fall internship, September through December, with flexibility around your school schedule

Apply