Software Developer Intern Jobs in Ladera Ranch, CA

EKI Environment & Water, Inc. (EKI) is an employee-owned, full service, engineering and environmental sciences consulting firm serving private- and public-sector clients throughout the United States. If you are interested in building innovative technology solutions that advance environmental and water resources work, then EKI is the place for you.

The Junior Software Developer position reports to the Cloud DevOps Architect within the EKI IT Department and is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining responsive, high-quality web applications, dashboards, and decision support tools that support EKI's client-facing services, internal tools, and data visualization platforms. This role anchors EKI's growing in-house development practice—partnering closely with project teams, data scientists, and engineers to translate complex environmental and water data into intuitive digital experiences—while championing the secure, standardized development workflows that EKI is establishing across the firm.

Your responsibilities may include, but will not be limited to the following:

• Design, develop, and maintain responsive, accessible, and performant front-end interfaces using modern JavaScript frameworks (React/ Next.js, Vue.js)
• Build and maintain interactive data visualization dashboards and decision support tools (DSTs) for both client-facing and internal use, including integration with tools such as R Shiny, Power BI, and ArcGIS Online
• Translate UI/UX designs and stakeholder requirements into functional, cross-browser compatible web experiences, and develop reusable component libraries with clean, well-structured, and well-documented code
• Integrate web applications with REST APIs, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), and environmental data systems, working in partnership with the Cloud DevOps Architect to deploy and host client-facing DSTs in secure, cloud environments
• Help implement and maintain EKI's GitHub-based development standards, including repository and pull-request templates, project-intake workflows, repository tracking, and developer onboarding documentation
• Develop, deliver, and maintain developer training and office-hours support on Git/GitHub fundamentals, branching and collaboration workflows, pull requests, code review, and merge-conflict resolution, building internal capacity across modeling, data science, and project teams
• Help implement secure development practices including GitHub branch protection, required peer review before merging to main, secret scanning and push protection, proper use of .gitignore to keep credentials and sensitive data out of repositories, and secure handling of secrets via Azure Key Vault
• Author and maintain standard operating procedures and guidance for code review and pull requests, repository management, AI/coding-assistant tool use, and credentials handling, and help define and apply sandbox environments and least-privilege (RBAC) access models
• Assist in evaluating, recommending, and integrating approved AI coding assistants and emerging development tools from EKI's Digital Services Catalog, helping advance the firm's GenAI and innovation strategy for digital deliverables
• Collaborate with the Cloud DevOps Architect, data scientists, environmental engineers, and IT staff to deliver integrated end-to-end solutions, and participate in requirements gathering and discovery sessions with internal project teams and clients
• Conduct testing, debugging, and performance optimization; prepare clear technical documentation for developed applications, components, and workflows; and support project managers and senior staff with scoping, timeline estimation, and progress tracking, including informing budget development so digital components of projects are profitable
• Other duties as required

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, or a related field required; equivalent demonstrated experience considered

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional front-end development experience required; five (5) or more years preferred
• Experience working in a consulting, professional services, or client-facing environment strongly preferred
• Experience with CI/CD tools: GitHub, Azure DevOps, etc.
• Experience with Infrastructure as Code, particularly Terraform and Azure Bicep, preferred
• Knowledge of containerization and orchestration: Docker, Kubernetes, ECS, AKS, GKE
• Strong scripting skills: Python, Bash, PowerShell, R, or equivalent
• Experience with data visualization libraries (e.g., D3.js, Chart.js, Plotly) and/or enterprise BI tools (e.g., Power BI, Tableau) preferred
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (AWS, Azure) and associated front-end deployment workflows
• Hands-on experience with Git and Git-based version control workflows (e.g., GitHub, GitLab), including branching, pull requests, and code review; experience administering or supporting a GitHub organization (branch protection, repository standards, SSO/RBAC) strongly preferred
• Working knowledge of secure development practices, including secret management (e.g., Azure Key Vault), .gitignore hygiene, secret scanning, push protection, and least-privilege access principles
• Understanding of responsive design principles, web accessibility standards (WCAG), and cross-browser compatibility, plus familiarity with CI/CD processes and DevOps workflows
• Experience with ArcGIS Online (AGOL) or other GIS-based web mapping tools preferred but not required
• Experience developing or delivering technical training, documentation, or onboarding materials a plus, given the role's internal capacity-building responsibilities
• Familiarity with the responsible use of AI coding assistants and exposure to environmental, scientific, or data-intensive application development a plus

• Must have effective verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to translate technical concepts for non-technical audiences such as scientists and project managers
• Must have ability to multi-task, stay organized, work independently, and collaborate with cross-functional project teams
• Must have a strong desire to grow personally as well as professionally
• Must have a great attitude and eager to learn
• Must demonstrate strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail

• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with high-volume workload and frequent short deadlines
• Must be able to work remaining in a stationary position, often sitting for prolonged periods
• Must be able to communicate with others to exchange information
• Must be able to assess the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned

• Must be able to travel occasionally for team meetings or client engagements up to 5-10% of the time

As an employee-owned firm, EKI offers a unique company culture with a corporate commitment to maintaining a positive work/life experience. EKI provides excellent compensation and comprehensive benefits packages, including career advancement opportunities, outstanding training opportunities, incentive compensation including bonuses, retirement benefits through an Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) and 401(k) profit-sharing contributions, and group medical, vision, and dental benefits.

EKI Environment & Water, Inc is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive and is not an exhaustive list of all required responsibilities, duties, and skills. This description may be amended at any time and employee may be assigned other related duties to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.