Intern - Electrical Engineer (Winter, 2027)

Itron•San Jose, CA

2d•$33 - $41•Onsite

About The Position

Itron is hiring a part-time Electrical Engineer Intern to support its laboratory team on site in San Jose, California, during the Winter 2027 semester. In a new and growing laboratory environment, the intern will work with experienced engineers to build, organize, maintain, and improve the lab while supporting engineering testing and development activities. The work combines software and electrical engineering with practical, hands-on lab construction and equipment assembly. The intern will troubleshoot mesh networks, smart-city RF communications, computers, connected devices, and test equipment; set up and execute tests; analyze and document results; and develop Python-based tools for test automation, data processing, equipment control, and reporting. The role also involves assembling and modifying test fixtures, cable assemblies, racks, enclosures, mounting hardware, and other lab equipment; using hand and power tools; interpreting engineering drawings and wiring documentation; and supporting equipment safety, maintenance, organization, and calibration tracking. The intern is expected to document work, collaborate with engineers, communicate progress and risks, and contribute to a safe, organized, customer-centric lab environment. The position is on site in San Jose 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; starting wage depends on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills and experience.

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 lab buildout.
Ability to safely use or learn to use 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 engineering guidance.
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 established safety procedures when using tools or working around energized equipment.
Ability to collaborate and adapt 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.
Availability to work approximately 10 to 20 hours per week during the Fall/Winter semester on site in San Jose, California.

Nice To Haves

Previous internship, research, laboratory, manufacturing, maintenance, construction, technician, or relevant engineering project experience.
Experience with 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 fabrication or assembly tasks.
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 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 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 test reports.
Collaborate with senior engineers on laboratory projects, prototypes, technical investigations, and process improvements.
Help build, organize, maintain, and improve the engineering laboratory, including assembling equipment, installing and modifying test setups, routing cables, and organizing work areas.
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.
Inspect, troubleshoot, test, and document custom-built equipment for 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 laboratory environment focused on reliable technology for the Utilities & Energy industry.