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Software Development Engineer Intern Jobs in Encinitas, CA

Under general supervision, the Software Development Engineer II designs, develops, debugs, tests and implements software enhancements. Responsibilities include correcting defects in existing ...

The Software Development Engineer II is responsible for designing, developing, debugging, testing, and implementing software enhancements while also correcting defects in existing applications and ...

SDET

San Diego, CA · On-site

$53 - $68.50/hr

SDET Level 3 San Diego, CA 92127 12+ Months ONLY W2 Top 3: 1.) C++ 2.) Automation Experience - Python / C# 3.) CI/CD understanding / Testing Background • Test planning for feature areas • Test ...

Sr Test Development Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$117K - $152K/yr

Consults with software development engineers in resolution of problems. * Design, develop, execute, and maintain automated and manual test scripts to test the functionalities of the client CGM ...

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Software Development Engineer Intern information

See Encinitas, CA salary details

$14

$27

$41

How much do software development engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for software development engineer intern in Encinitas, CA is $27.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.21 and $30.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a software development engineer intern do?

A Software Development Engineer Intern assists in designing, coding, testing, and maintaining software applications under the guidance of experienced engineers. Interns typically work on real projects, write code, debug issues, and collaborate with team members to learn the software development lifecycle. This role helps interns gain practical experience, improve programming skills, and understand how software teams operate in a professional environment.

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

To thrive as a Software Development Engineer Intern, you typically need proficiency in programming languages such as Java, Python, or C++, and a solid understanding of computer science fundamentals, often supported by coursework or personal projects. Familiarity with development tools like Git, integrated development environments (IDEs), and sometimes cloud platforms or version control systems is expected. Strong problem-solving abilities, eagerness to learn, and effective communication help interns collaborate and adapt quickly. These skills and qualities enable interns to contribute meaningfully to projects while growing their technical and teamwork abilities in a real-world environment.

What types of projects do software development engineer interns typically work on, and how much ownership do they have over their work?

As a Software Development Engineer Intern, you will often contribute to real-world projects that may range from feature development and bug fixes to prototyping new tools or improving existing systems. Interns are usually paired with a mentor and integrated into agile teams, where they are encouraged to take ownership of their assigned tasks and present their solutions. While guidance and code reviews are standard, interns are trusted to design, implement, and test their code, allowing for meaningful hands-on experience and a direct impact on product outcomes.

What is the difference between Software Development Engineer Intern vs Software Engineer?

AspectSoftware Development Engineer InternSoftware Engineer
CredentialsTypically pursuing or recently completed a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science or related fieldUsually holds a bachelor's degree or higher in computer science or related discipline
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, often part-time or summer roles within tech companiesFull-time employment in software development teams
Employer & Industry UsageUsed across tech companies, startups, and large corporations for entry-level rolesFull-time professional role in similar environments
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level experience and career progressionRepresents a standard professional role in software development

The main difference between a Software Development Engineer Intern and a Software Engineer is the experience level and employment status. Interns are typically students gaining practical experience, while Software Engineers are full-time professionals responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining software products.

What cities near Encinitas, CA are hiring for Software Development Engineer Intern jobs?

Cities near Encinitas, CA with the most Software Development Engineer Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Software Development Engineer Intern job openings in Encinitas, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,784 per year, or $27.3 per hour.

Summer 2027 - Software Engineer Intern

San Diego, CA • On-site

Shield AI
Software Development • 11 - 50 employees

Full-time, Temporary, Internship

Posted 2 days ago

New


Job description

Shield AI is a venture-backed defense-tech company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include Hivemind autonomy software, V-BAT and X-BAT aircraft, and Aechelon simulation and synthetic reality technologies. With offices and facilities across the U.S., Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific, Shield AI's technology actively supports operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and YouTube.
Our Summer Internship program is a wonderful opportunity for Fall and Spring graduates to immerse themselves in an innovative and mission driven culture. Our 10-week paid internship program will provide you with hands on mentorship, an opportunity to add real contribution to our company via your internship project, and a possible job offer at the end. You will have the chance to make lifelong friendships, expand your network, and learn all about what it's like to work in a high-growth, fast scaling tech unicorn. You'll take part in company sponsored events and enjoy exploring a new city. Read on below to learn more about this unique internship!
About the Role
  • Shield AI's Software Development Engineer Intern program spans engineers who design, build, and test the code that powers our autonomous systems - from user-facing applications and embedded flight software to machine learning models and the underlying systems platforms that tie it all together. Over 10-12 weeks, interns work alongside full-time engineers to analyze requirements, write and debug production-quality code, and ship a real feature or capability using our standard Agile development practices.
  • Example Intern Projects
    • Applications: Build a new feature or internal tool (web, mobile, or desktop) that streamlines a mission-planning or fleet-management workflow.
    • Firmware/Embedded: Develop and debug embedded C/C++ code for a flight controller or sensor module, including bring-up and hardware-in-the-loop testing.
    • Machine Learning: Train, evaluate, and integrate a perception or decision-making model (e.g., object detection, sensor fusion) into an autonomy pipeline.
    • Systems Development: Extend a platform tool, API, or data pipeline that supports autonomy software, simulation, or cloud infrastructure.

Required Qualifications
  • Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field
  • Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (e.g., C, C++, Python, Java, or JavaScript)
  • Solid foundation in data structures, algorithms, and software design principles
  • Experience writing, testing, and debugging code, whether through coursework, personal projects, or prior internships
  • Familiarity with version control (e.g., Git) and collaborative development workflows
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to break down ambiguous requirements into working code
  • Effective written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment

Preferred Qualifications
  • Exposure to mobile or web application frameworks and full-stack development
  • Hands-on experience with embedded systems, microcontrollers, real-time operating systems, or assembly-level debugging
  • Coursework or projects involving machine learning, statistics, probability theory, or deep learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow)
  • Experience with cloud platforms, databases, networking, or distributed systems
  • Familiarity with Agile/Scrum development methodologies
  • Prior internship, research, or club/competition experience in robotics, autonomy, or aerospace applications
  • Interest in or exposure to the defense, aerospace, or autonomous systems industry

#intern
Shield AI is proud to offer competitive pay and a housing stipend for qualified hires. While our People Experience team provides resources and assistance, interns are responsible to find their own housing and travel to and from their office location.
Shield AI is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please let us know.