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Pilot Internship Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Navi AI

Intern - Device Build

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

... Pilots trust their lives to the systems in front of them. The device you build is the first link in that chain - if it doesn't capture clean data, nothing downstream works. Interns here own real ...

New

Ammobia

Chemical R&D Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100 - $200/hr

Experience managing technicians, interns, or junior engineers * Operational experience in pilot chemical plants * Proficiency in techno-economic modeling * Expertise in catalyst manufacturing and ...

Ammobia

Chemical R&D Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Experience managing technicians, interns, or junior engineers * Operational experience in pilot chemical plants * Proficiency in techno-economic modeling * Expertise in catalyst manufacturing and ...

Ammobia

Chemical R&D Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$100K - $200K/yr

Experience managing technicians, interns, or junior engineers * Operational experience in pilot chemical plants * Proficiency in techno-economic modeling * Expertise in catalyst manufacturing and ...

Ammobia

Chemical R&D Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$100K - $200K/yr

Experience managing technicians, interns, or junior engineers * Operational experience in pilot chemical plants * Proficiency in techno-economic modeling * Expertise in catalyst manufacturing and ...

Year Up United

Program Facilitator

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

The Program Facilitator will be responsible for overseeing, designing, and delivering unique pilots ... Own and drive all aspects of teaching and assessing a once-weekly Internship Seminar for students ...

Year Up United

Program Facilitator

Oakland, CA

The Program Facilitator will be responsible for overseeing, designing, and delivering unique pilots ... Own and drive all aspects of teaching and assessing a once-weekly Internship Seminar for students ...

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Pilot Internship information

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How much do pilot internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average hourly pay for pilot internship in California is $17.08, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $18.99 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a pilot internship?

A pilot internship is a structured work experience program designed for aspiring pilots, typically students or recent graduates, to gain hands-on exposure to the aviation industry. Interns may work with airlines, flight schools, or aviation companies, assisting with daily operations, learning about flight procedures, and sometimes participating in supervised flight training. These internships provide valuable networking opportunities, industry insights, and practical experience that can help candidates advance their careers as professional pilots. Some programs may also include mentorship and educational workshops.

What types of responsibilities and experiences can I expect during a pilot internship?

During a pilot internship, you can expect to engage in a range of activities designed to provide hands-on exposure to commercial or corporate aviation operations. Typical responsibilities include assisting with pre-flight checks, observing flight planning and weather briefings, and sometimes shadowing experienced pilots during actual flights. Interns often learn about cockpit resource management, aviation safety protocols, and regulatory compliance. The work environment is highly structured, emphasizing teamwork and communication with ground staff, instructors, and flight crews. These experiences not only build technical skills but also give valuable insights into the daily realities and challenges of a professional pilot’s career.

What are the qualifications to get a pilot internship?

The primary qualifications for getting a pilot internship are a high school diploma or equivalent. You typically need to be at least 18-years-old, pass a health test, and have the intention of pursuing a pilot's license or be enrolled in an aviation degree program. Employers prefer applicants who have strong communication skills, leadership skills, analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to learn quickly. You must also be willing to learn all the aspects of being a pilot beyond flying a plane. Fulfilling the responsibilities and duties of a pilot internship requires the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and the ability to read pilot charts.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a pilot intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pilot Intern, you need a solid understanding of aviation fundamentals, basic flight training, and at least a private pilot's license or enrollment in an accredited aviation program. Familiarity with flight simulators, aviation software, and navigation systems is typically expected. Strong communication, attention to detail, and teamwork skills are vital for safe and effective operations in a cockpit environment. These competencies ensure readiness for further pilot training and contribute to safety, efficiency, and professionalism in the aviation industry.

What is the difference between Pilot Internship vs Flight Instructor?

AspectPilot InternshipFlight Instructor
Required CredentialsStudent pilot license or private pilot licenseCommercial pilot license and flight instructor certificate
Work EnvironmentAirlines, charter services, or flight schools for trainingFlight schools, private aircraft, or flight training centers
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines, aviation companies, flight training programsFlight schools, private flight training
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

While a Pilot Internship provides hands-on experience for aspiring pilots, often focusing on training and observation, a Flight Instructor is a licensed pilot who teaches students how to fly, requiring additional certifications. Both roles are essential in aviation training, but they differ in responsibilities, credentials, and work environments.

More about Pilot Internship jobs

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

The most popular types of Pilot jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Pilot Internship jobs in California?

For Pilot Internship jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Pilot Internship jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Pilot Internship jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Pilot Internship jobs?

Cities in California with the most Pilot Internship job openings:

Pilot Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Pilot Internship job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 8% Internship, 64% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 77% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,523 per year, or $17.1 per hour.

Intern - Device Build

Navi AI

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New

Job description

Navi captures everything a pilot sees and hears and turns it into automated debrief intelligence - sortie-level awareness that has never existed before. None of it works without the hardware in the aircraft. That's what you'll build.
About the role
This is a hands-on hardware internship. You'll build, test, and ship the devices that fly in real aircraft at university flight schools and military squadrons. Every unit you assemble ends up in a cockpit, capturing data a pilot and instructor will sit down and review that same day. Nothing here is a prototype exercise. Navi is already live at leading flight schools.
You'll work directly with our hardware and engineering teams, and you'll see the consequences of your work fast - if a unit fails, you'll hear about it, and you'll be part of fixing it.
What you'll do
  • Assemble, wire, and bench-test Navi devices - audio capture, mounting hardware, cable harnesses, enclosures
  • Diagnose failures on returned or field-reported units and feed what you learn back into the build
  • Help improve the build itself - fixturing, assembly documentation, anything that makes the next hundred units faster and more reliable than the last hundred
  • Track inventory, components, and BOMs so we never stall a deployment waiting on a part
  • Assist in preparing shipments, and willing to learn and assist in other tasks too
  • Work alongside engineers across hardware, firmware, and software to close the loop between what we build and what pilots actually experience
About you
  • Currently pursuing a degree in engineering, or equivalent hands-on experience - we care more about what you've built than where you're enrolled
  • Comfortable with hand tools, wiring and basic electronics debugging
  • Careful and consistent. Hardware that flies has to be built the same way every time, and you take that seriously
  • You've built physical things - personal projects, robotics teams, Formula SAE, RC aircraft, drones, a workshop in your garage. Tell us about them
  • Willing to do the unglamorous work. Some days are assembly and testing, and those units still have to be perfect
  • Curious about why things fail and persistent enough to find out
  • Comfortable in ambiguity - processes here are still being written, and you'll help write them
Nice to have
  • You know how to fly. A private pilot certificate, student pilot time, or any flight training is a real bonus. Pilots understand the cockpit environment these devices live in, and we'll lean on you for more than device build - flight testing, data collection, ride-alongs, and translating what actually happens in the aircraft back to the engineering team
  • Familiarity with aviation systems, avionics, or general aviation aircraft
  • CAD, 3D printing, or fabrication experience
  • Basic scripting for test automation or data validation
Why this role matters
Pilots trust their lives to the systems in front of them. The device you build is the first link in that chain - if it doesn't capture clean data, nothing downstream works. Interns here own real units going to real customers, not side projects.
What you'll get
  • Hardware that ships - your work flies in aircraft at flight schools, airlines, and the U.S. Air Force
  • Direct access to the founding team and every part of the stack, from hardware to AI
  • A path to a full-time role for interns who prove they can own the build
How we work
  • Find a way. We don't wait for permission or perfect information. Ideas come from anywhere regardless of title. Figure it out, ship it, iterate.
  • Creativity over control. First principles over process. We'd rather have a creative solution that's 80% right today than a perfect one next quarter.
  • Update fast. Come in with a hypothesis, throw it away when the data says otherwise. Ego has no place here.
  • Intensity with focus. We work hard because the mission demands it. Clarity on what matters is how we make that sustainable.

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