Software Engineer Internships: How to Land One & Top Companies Hiring
By
Liz Fujiwara
•
Jan 16, 2026
Software engineer internships in 2026 are more than resume padding. Programs like Amazon’s 12-week SDE Summer internship, Optiver’s 10-week trading technology internship, and MongoDB’s 10-week AMER internship give students direct exposure to production systems, competitive pay, and clear paths to full-time roles, with interns shipping code that impacts millions of users and real-time markets.
The demand for AI-savvy engineers is unprecedented, with LLMs embedded in products across industries and cloud platforms powering everything from banking infrastructure to aerospace systems. Companies need engineers who can work with machine learning models, build solutions on cutting-edge technology, and solve complex problems from day one, making internships a key pipeline for future AI talent.
Candidates compete fiercely for top internships, while founders and CTOs struggle to evaluate and hire strong engineers quickly. Fonzi helps connect vetted AI and software talent to startups and enterprises through standardized assessments and streamlined hiring, making it a crucial part of the 2026 ecosystem.
Key Takeaways
Top software engineer internship programs in 2026, including Amazon, JPMorgan, Optiver, MongoDB, and Boeing, offer real production impact, strong mentorship, and often convert interns to full-time roles.
Fonzi is a hiring platform used by startups and enterprises to source, assess, and hire elite AI and software engineers, typically closing roles in under three weeks.
Fonzi provides a high-touch candidate experience with structured interviews, fast feedback, and clear expectations, while giving hiring managers consistent, objective signals on technical ability, helping founders and CTOs efficiently build AI teams.
Types of Software Engineer Internships You Can Pursue
Software engineering in 2026 spans a wide range of specializations. Before you apply, you need to understand which type of role aligns with your interests and skills.
Full-Stack, Back-End, and Front-End Roles
These common internships involve building user interfaces with React or TypeScript, designing REST or GraphQL APIs in Node or Java, and working with databases like SQL or MongoDB, with opportunities at consumer startups, JPMorgan, and MongoDB; interns learn design patterns, participate in code reviews, and ship features used by real customers.
Site Reliability Engineer (SRE) and Infrastructure Roles
Infrastructure internships focus on keeping services running at scale, working with cloud platforms, monitoring tools, and incident response, while hardware-adjacent roles in FPGA development, high-frequency trading, and network optimization emphasize low-latency systems where microseconds matter, with examples at Optiver’s Linux Systems Engineer and Data SRE programs.
Hardware-Adjacent and Low-Latency Roles
For those interested in embedded systems or high-frequency trading, specialized internships exist in FPGA development, autotrading systems engineering, and network optimization. Optiver’s Amsterdam and London desks hire for these roles, where microseconds matter and you’ll work closer to the metal than most software applications.
AI/ML and Data Science Internships
The fastest-growing category. Optiver’s 2026 Shanghai Machine Learning PhD internship and Data Scientist internships blend engineering with research, improving trading models and experimenting with new technologies. These roles require familiarity with Python, PyTorch or TensorFlow, and statistical methods, but they offer unparalleled exposure to how AI creates business value.
How Fonzi Helps Define Role Requirements
For founders and CTOs, Fonzi clarifies which role type is needed and surfaces candidates who have shipped similar work through prior internships, open-source contributions, or academic research.
Top Companies Hiring Software Engineer Interns in 2026
The 2026 internship landscape spans big tech, fintech, databases, aerospace, and global banks, with each company offering distinct experiences that help applicants target their applications effectively.
Amazon
Amazon’s 12-week Summer 2026 SDE internship starts in May or June. Interns work on distributed systems, machine learning applications, and cloud-native architectures using AWS, leveraging GenAI tools to enhance development productivity. Interns own production code impacting millions of customers, participate in agile ceremonies, and experience the full software development lifecycle. Requirements include a bachelor’s degree or higher in computer science, computer engineering, or a related field, and proficiency in languages like Java, Python, C++, or Go.
JPMorgan Chase
JPMorgan’s summer software engineering internships place interns on agile teams supporting millions of banking customers. The program begins with induction training on technology strategies and the bank’s tech community. Interns work across full-stack development, cybersecurity, and infrastructure, with access to senior speaker series and networking events, and a strong emphasis on professional development and leadership training.
Optiver
Optiver runs 8–10 week internships in Shanghai, Amsterdam, and London across software development, FPGA engineering, machine learning, and data science. Intern code ships directly to production trading systems affecting real-time financial markets. The environment is intense, with low-latency systems, bare-metal servers, and close collaboration with traders. Compensation often exceeds typical tech companies, and strong performers receive full-time offers.
MongoDB
MongoDB’s 10-week 2026 AMER internship offers an annualized salary of approximately $108,160–$112,320, plus equity and benefits. Interns work 40 hours per week in a hybrid model and contribute to the core database engine or cloud services, gaining exposure to database internals, distributed systems, and developer tools used by millions of developers.
Boeing
Boeing internships contribute to aircraft systems including the 777X wing structures and propulsion safety software. Interns build embedded and safety-critical software applications where reliability is paramount. Boeing partners with MIT for leadership training and offers multi-year career paths, appealing to engineers interested in aerospace, defense, and hardware-software integration.
Beyond these brand names, hundreds of high-growth startups are hiring 2026 interns. Fonzi connects startups with vetted AI and software interns who can own end-to-end features from week one, often providing broader ownership and faster learning than larger companies.
2026 Software Engineer Internships
The following table compares key attributes of major 2026 internship programs. Use this to prioritize your applications based on what matters most to you.
Company | Location/Region | Duration | Primary Tech Focus | Compensation (Approx.) | Full-Time Conversion |
Amazon | United States | 12 weeks | Distributed systems, ML, AWS | Competitive (est. $50-60/hr + housing) | High |
JPMorgan Chase | Multiple (US, UK, Asia) | ~10 weeks | Banking tech, cybersecurity, infrastructure | Competitive finance rates | High |
Optiver | Shanghai, Amsterdam, London | 8–10 weeks | Trading systems, FPGA, ML | Above-market (trading firm) | High for top performers |
MongoDB | Americas (hybrid) | 10 weeks | Database engine, cloud services | $108,160–$112,320 annualized + equity | Moderate to High |
Boeing | United States | Summer program | Aerospace, embedded systems | Competitive manufacturing/defense | Structured career paths |
Fonzi Startup Partners | Remote/Various | Varies | AI products, infrastructure, ML | Competitive startup equity + salary | Role-dependent |
A few patterns emerge from this data:
Big-name internships are highly competitive, often receiving thousands of applications for limited spots. The hiring process at these companies involves multiple technical interviews and can span several months.
Smaller startups hiring via Fonzi often provide broader ownership and faster learning curves. You might own an entire feature rather than contributing a small piece to a massive system.
Trading firms like Optiver tend to pay above-market rates but demand exceptional technical ability and thrive-under-pressure personalities.
How to Land a Software Engineer Internship (Even with Limited Experience)
Many successful 2026 interns start with no prior industry experience. What separates them from the pile of rejections? A combination of demonstrable skills, targeted applications, and smart timing.
Build a Strong Portfolio
Your GitHub profile is your resume’s best supporting evidence. Aim for 3–5 concrete projects that demonstrate range, such as a full-stack CRUD application, a simple trading simulator or data pipeline, a small ML project using open datasets, or contributions to open-source libraries. Quality matters more than quantity, with clear documentation, clean code, and evidence of understanding design patterns and best practices.
Master Technical Foundations
Data structures and algorithms remain key for technical interviews. Start practicing on LeetCode or similar platforms early, ideally by spring 2025 for Summer 2026 roles. Focus on arrays, hash maps, trees, graphs, dynamic programming, recursion, time and space complexity analysis, and basic system design concepts for more senior roles. Companies like Amazon explicitly test these skills, making them table stakes.
Apply Early and Strategically
The application timeline catches many students off guard. For Summer 2026 internships:
August–October 2025: Major tech companies (Amazon, Google, Microsoft) and finance firms (JPMorgan, Optiver) open applications
October–December 2025: Mid-sized companies like MongoDB and Boeing
January–March 2026: Late openings, smaller startups, and backfill positions
Set calendar reminders for job postings on company career pages. Missing the early window can mean missing the opportunity entirely.
Tailor Your Applications
Customize your resume for each role: front-end roles should highlight React, TypeScript, and CSS; back-end roles should showcase APIs, databases, Python/Java, and cloud platforms; ML roles should emphasize data science projects, Python, PyTorch, and model training experience. Include relevant coursework and technologies, as initial screens often rely on keyword matching.
Network Intentionally
Attend career fairs and virtual sessions, connect with previous interns on LinkedIn, and engage with founders and hiring managers who use Fonzi to source talent, as some opportunities are not posted publicly.
Prepare a Structured Interview Plan
Block 4–8 weeks for focused preparation:
Weeks 1–4: Daily coding practice (2–3 problems)
Weeks 3–6: System design basics (for senior roles)
Weeks 5–8: Behavioral prep using STAR format
Throughout: Mock interviews with peers or platforms
This systematic approach builds confidence and covers the full range of what companies test.
Timeline & Strategy: When and How to Apply for 2026 Internships
Recruiting for Summer 2026 internships starts much earlier than most students expect. By the time you’re thinking about summer plans in January, many top programs have already filled their seats.
Month-by-Month Plan
Timeline | Activities |
March–June 2025 | Build projects, polish resume, start LeetCode practice |
July–September 2025 | Early applications to Amazon, Optiver, JPMorgan, Google |
October–December 2025 | Applications to MongoDB, Boeing, mid-sized firms |
January–March 2026 | Late openings, startups, backfill positions |
April 2026 | Final preparations, confirm logistics |
Regional Variations
Application windows vary depending on where you’re targeting:
United States: Most competitive programs open August–October
Europe: Similar timing, but some firms (especially in London and Amsterdam) open slightly later
Asia: The 2026 Shanghai internships at firms like Optiver may have different windows so check company-specific career pages
Stay Organized
Track your applications in a spreadsheet with columns for company, role, application date, status, and next steps. Some companies like MongoDB can take up to six weeks to respond, so don’t panic if you don’t hear back immediately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
For Candidates:
Applying too late: Major programs fill quickly, and missing the August–October window for Summer 2026 can eliminate you from consideration.
Sending generic resumes: Tailor your resume for each role
Ignoring behavioral prep: Technical skills get you the interview, but behavioral questions about teamwork, conflict resolution, and handling failure often influence the final decision.
No concrete code samples: Skills claims mean little without evidence, so include GitHub links, project descriptions, and examples of what you’ve built.
Failing to follow up: A brief thank-you email after interviews shows professionalism and keeps you top of mind.
For Companies:
Underestimating screening overhead: Manual resume review at scale is brutally time-consuming. Fonzi removes this bottleneck by automating initial assessments and filtering candidates before they reach your interview pipeline.
Conclusion
Software engineer internships in 2026 offer real production experience, competitive pay, and a path to full-time roles at companies like Amazon, Optiver, JPMorgan, MongoDB, and Boeing, while providing mentorship and impactful project work.
Candidates succeed by preparing early, building strong portfolios, mastering fundamentals, and communicating effectively, even without prior experience.
For founders, CTOs, and AI team leads, Fonzi enables fast, consistent, and scalable hiring, ensuring high-quality interns who can contribute from day one. Book a demo to start building your 2026 AI and software engineering team faster than traditional recruiting.
