ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Structural Engineer Intern Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Nextpower

Embedded Software Engineer Intern

Fremont, CA · On-site

$50 - $70/hr

Join the SPC (Self-Powered Controller) team as an Embedded Systems and IoT Intern, where you'll ... structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive ...

Nextracker

Embedded Software Engineer Intern

Fremont, CA · On-site

$50 - $70/hr

Join the SPC (Self-Powered Controller) team as an Embedded Systems and IoT Intern, where you'll ... structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive ...

Ducommun

Engineering Intern

Carson, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.75/hr

Engineering Intern Ducommun is seeking summer interns to join our team for a 10-week internship ... We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for ...

Ducommun

Engineering Intern

Carson, CA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.75/hr

Engineering Intern Ducommun is seeking summer interns to join our team for a 10-week internship ... We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for ...

Ducommun

Engineering Intern

Carson, CA · On-site

$21 - $22/hr

Engineering Intern Ducommun is seeking summer interns to join our team for a 10-week internship ... We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for ...

Ducommun, Inc.

Engineering Intern

Carson, CA

$17.50 - $22.75/hr

Engineering Intern Ducommun is seeking summer interns to join our team for a 10-week internship ... We specialize in electronic and structural systems, producing complex products and components for ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

People also search for

All JobsStructural Engineer Intern JobsStructural Engineer Intern Jobs in California

Structural Engineer Intern information

See California salary details

$10

$19

$29

How much do structural engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of May 29, 2026, the average hourly pay for structural engineer intern in California is $19.06, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.91 and $20.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Structural Engineer Intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Structural Engineer Intern, you need a solid understanding of engineering principles, mathematics, and physics, often supported by progress toward a civil or structural engineering degree. Familiarity with technical tools like AutoCAD, Revit, and structural analysis software, as well as knowledge of building codes and standards, is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help interns collaborate with team members and convey complex ideas clearly. These skills and qualities are important for ensuring safety, accuracy, and successful project outcomes in structural engineering roles.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as a Structural Engineer Intern?

As a Structural Engineer Intern, you will typically assist with the design, analysis, and review of structural components for buildings, bridges, or other infrastructure projects. Your daily tasks may include preparing drawings using CAD software, running basic calculations, conducting site visits with experienced engineers, and helping to ensure compliance with safety codes and regulations. You'll often collaborate closely with senior engineers and other interns, gaining exposure to multiple project phases and disciplines. This hands-on experience is valuable for building your technical skills and understanding real-world engineering workflows.

What does a Structural Engineer Intern do?

A Structural Engineer Intern assists experienced engineers in designing, analyzing, and inspecting structures such as buildings, bridges, and other infrastructure. Their responsibilities often include creating computer-aided design (CAD) drawings, performing calculations, preparing reports, and attending site visits. Interns gain hands-on experience with engineering software and learn about building codes, construction materials, and project management, all under the supervision of licensed engineers. This role provides valuable insight into the daily tasks and challenges of structural engineering and helps interns develop practical skills for their future careers.

What is the difference between Structural Engineer Intern vs Civil Engineering Intern?

AspectStructural Engineer InternCivil Engineering Intern
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing a bachelor's or master's in structural or civil engineering; some internships require EIT/FE exam eligibilitySimilar educational background; often pursuing civil engineering degrees; EIT/FE exam eligibility beneficial
Work EnvironmentDesigning, analyzing, and reviewing structural components; working on building frameworks and infrastructureBroader civil projects including transportation, water resources, and site development
Employer & Industry UsageEngineering firms, construction companies, architecture firmsEngineering firms, government agencies, construction companies

Both roles involve engineering fundamentals and internships in related fields. A Structural Engineer Intern focuses specifically on structural design and analysis, while a Civil Engineering Intern covers a wider range of civil projects. The choice depends on your career focus within civil engineering.

What are the most commonly searched types of Structural Engineer jobs in California? The most popular types of Structural Engineer jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Structural Engineer Intern jobs in California? For Structural Engineer Intern jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Structural Engineer Intern jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Structural Engineer Intern jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Structural Engineer Intern jobs? Cities in California with the most Structural Engineer Intern job openings:
Structural Engineer Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Structural Engineer Intern job openings in California as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 29% Internship, 50% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 7% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,648 per year, or $19.1 per hour.

Mechanical Engineer Intern

Foundation Robotics

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$22 - $29.75/hr

Temporary

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

About Us
Foundation is developing the future of general purpose robotics with the goal to address the labor shortage.
Our mission is to create advanced robots that can operate in complex environments, reducing human risk in conflict zones and enhancing efficiency in labor-intensive industries.
We are on the lookout for extraordinary engineers and scientists to join our team.
Your previous experience in robotics isn't a prerequisite - it's your talent and determination that truly count.
We expect that many of our team members will bring diverse perspectives from various industries and fields. We are looking for individuals with a proven record of exceptional ability and a history of creating things that work.
Our Culture
We like to be frank and honest about who we are, so that people can decide for themselves if this is a culture they resonate with. Please read more about our culture here https://foundation.bot/culture.
About This Role
Why are We Hiring for this Role:
  • Building dexterous hands and fingers for a humanoid is one of the hardest mechanical engineering problems in robotics - more than 20 degrees of freedom packed into the volume of a human hand, each joint needing to transmit force, survive impact, and move with precision - and we need mechanical engineering bandwidth dedicated entirely to that problem
  • Our finger and hand mechanisms are advancing rapidly and generating a constant stream of design iteration work - linkage geometry, tendon routing, pulley systems and tolerance stackups all need hands-on engineering attention that the core team cannot fully absorb
  • We are not buying hands off a shelf and integrating them - every component is custom-designed for our platform, which means this intern will touch real CAD, real fabrication, and real hardware from day one
  • The mechanical architecture of a robotic hand defines what the controls and sensor teams can even attempt - if the mechanism has backlash, compliance, or friction in the wrong places, no amount of software fixes it; this role is foundational
  • We are a small startup and we move fast - interns here are designing parts, running tolerancing analysis, and holding calipers on prototypes the same week
  • We want to build a team of mechanical engineers who understand humanoid hands from the ground up and we believe the best way to find those people is to train them early on the hardest version of the problem

What Kind of person are we looking for
  • Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field - with solid coursework in classical mechanics, materials science, and structural engineering.
  • Strong understanding of kinematics and mechanism design - you know how to analyze a four-bar linkage, compute a Jacobian for a serial chain, and think about workspace, singularities, and force transmission in a multi-joint finger
  • Familiarity with contact mechanics and tribology basics: contact stress, friction coefficients, wear mechanisms, relevant to designing fingertip surfaces and joint interfaces that survive millions of grasp cycles
  • Understanding of tolerance analysis and GD&T: you know what a tolerance stackup is, why it matters for a tendon-driven finger, and how to use worst-case or RSS methods to catch problems before fabrication
  • Proficient in SolidWorks, Fusion 360, CATIA, or equivalent parametric CAD: you can model complex multi-body assemblies, run motion studies, and manage configurations for design variants without creating a file management disaster
  • Familiarity with designing for lightweight structures: rib patterns, topology optimization concepts, material removal strategies that preserve stiffness while hitting mass targets
  • Basic FEA experience in SolidWorks Simulation, ANSYS, or similar: you can set up a static stress analysis on a finger link under load, interpret von Mises stress results, and identify where a part is over- or under-designed
  • Understanding of tendon-driven and linkage-driven actuation mechanisms as used in robotic hands: you know what capstans, routing guides, and differential mechanisms are and why they matter for compact high-DOF designs
  • Familiarity with actuator types relevant to robotic fingers: micro brushless DC motors and linear actuators, including the mechanical integration challenges each presents

To be a great candidate, you don't have to check every box. If you're excited about building the next generation of robotic hands and believe you'd bring something valuable to the team, we encourage you to apply. If you have a project presentation or portfolio that showcases relevant work, attach it to your application. Concrete proof of excellence will significantly strengthen your candidacy.

Apply