Intern - Electrical Engineer (Winter, 2027)

Itron•San Jose, CA

21h•Onsite

About The Position

Itron is hiring a part-time Electrical Engineer Intern to support its lab team on site in San Jose, California, during the Winter 2027 term. The intern will work alongside experienced engineers in a new and growing laboratory environment, helping build, organize, maintain, and improve the lab while supporting engineering testing and development activities. This is a hands-on role combining software and electrical engineering work with practical physical tasks such as using hand and power tools, assembling equipment, building test fixtures, and routing cables. The intern will troubleshoot issues involving Itron mesh networks, smart-city RF communications, lab computers, connected devices, and test equipment. The role includes setting up and executing engineering tests, checking data quality, analyzing results, and preparing test reports. The intern will also develop Python-based automation tools for testing, data processing, equipment control, and reporting, while using source control and issue-tracking practices to document work and maintain traceability. The position supports laboratory buildout and upkeep, including assembling and modifying equipment, organizing work areas, installing and adjusting test setups, routing cables, and building custom fixtures, cable assemblies, racks, enclosures, and mounting hardware. The intern will interpret engineering drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, bills of materials, and assembly instructions; inspect, troubleshoot, test, and document equipment; and support equipment organization, maintenance, calibration tracking, and safe operation. The role also involves collaborating with senior engineers on prototypes, technical investigations, and process improvements, and maintaining clear, reproducible code, procedures, equipment, and documentation. The role is based in an on-site lab environment in San Jose, California, and is expected to require approximately 10 to 20 hours per week during the Fall/Winter semester. Travel is 0–10%. The listed wage range is $33.17 to $41.35 per hour.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in an accredited electrical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, or related degree program, with at least two years of college-level coursework completed.
Hands-on experience using common hand tools and/or power tools through employment, internships, school projects, technical programs, construction, maintenance, manufacturing, automotive work, maker activities, or similar practical experience.
Comfort performing physical, hands-on work in a new laboratory environment, including assembling equipment, working with tools, building or modifying test setups, organizing equipment, and assisting with general lab buildout activities.
Ability to safely use or learn to use tools such as drills, drivers, crimpers, wire strippers, soldering equipment, and common measurement tools.
Mechanical aptitude and ability to assemble, modify, troubleshoot, or repair equipment using written instructions, drawings, or guidance from engineers.
Ability to translate an engineering need into a practical solution, including identifying parts and materials and developing an assembly and verification approach.
Ability to program in Python and read, troubleshoot, and modify existing code.
Basic understanding of software development practices, including modular design, debugging, testing, and documentation.
Awareness of electrical and physical workplace hazards and commitment to following established safety procedures when using tools or working around energized equipment.
Ability to work collaboratively and adapt quickly as the lab environment, equipment, and project priorities evolve.
Strong accountability and attention to detail when building, testing, documenting, or modifying equipment.
Professional written and verbal communication skills and a collaborative approach to working with engineers and other team members.
Available to work approximately 10 to 20 hours per week during the Fall/Winter semester on site in a lab environment in San Jose, California.

Nice To Haves

Previous internship, research, laboratory, manufacturing, maintenance, construction, technician, or relevant engineering project experience.
Experience performing hands-on fabrication, assembly, equipment installation, repair, maintenance, construction, or similar physical work.
Experience fabricating or assembling custom test fixtures, electrical panels, cable harnesses, enclosures, mounting brackets, equipment racks, or laboratory equipment.
Experience with soldering, crimping, wiring, drilling, measuring, fastening, mechanical assembly, or basic fabrication.
Experience safely operating power tools and selecting appropriate tools for a fabrication or assembly task.
Experience organizing, cleaning, maintaining, repairing, or calibrating laboratory or technical equipment.
Coursework or hands-on experience with RF systems, analog and digital electronics, embedded systems, or data acquisition.
Experience with Linux and command-line tools.
Familiarity with Git, pull requests, code reviews, issue tracking, or CI/CD workflows.
Ability to program in C, C++, C#, Rust, or another compiled programming language.
Experience creating unit tests, integration tests, test fixtures, or automated validation scripts.
Familiarity with APIs, serial communications, network troubleshooting, or instrument-control interfaces.
Demonstrated curiosity and an innovative, agile approach to solving practical engineering problems.
Interest in developing reliable, customer-centric technology supporting utility, energy, smart-city, or connected-device applications.

Responsibilities

Identify and troubleshoot issues across Itron mesh networks, smart-city RF communications, lab computers, connected devices, and test equipment.
Set up and execute engineering tests, verify data quality, analyze results, and compile clear and accurate test reports.
Collaborate with senior engineers on laboratory projects, prototypes, technical investigations, and process improvements.
Help build out and maintain the engineering laboratory, including assembling equipment, organizing work areas, installing and modifying test setups, and routing cables.
Safely use hand and power tools to build and modify laboratory equipment.
Build, assemble, install, and modify custom test fixtures, cable assemblies, equipment racks, enclosures, mounting hardware, and other laboratory equipment.
Perform mechanical and electrical assembly work to support lab infrastructure and engineering projects.
Interpret engineering drawings, schematics, wiring diagrams, bills of materials, and assembly instructions when constructing or modifying equipment.
Inspect, troubleshoot, test, and document custom-built equipment to verify electrical safety, mechanical integrity, and performance.
Support equipment organization, maintenance, calibration tracking, inventory, and safe operation of electrical test setups.
Develop Python-based automation tools for test execution, data processing, equipment control, and reporting.
Use source control and issue-tracking practices to document changes, maintain traceability, and collaborate with the engineering team.
Communicate progress, risks, assumptions, and test evidence clearly; take accountability for assigned work and escalate concerns appropriately.
Maintain organized code, test procedures, equipment, and documentation so work can be understood and reproduced by other engineers.
Support a safe, collaborative, customer-centric lab environment focused on developing reliable technology and solutions for the Utilities & Energy industry.