Top 10 Tech Apprenticeships, Internships and Entry-Level Jobs in San Diego, CA in 2026

Table of Contents

• Mapping Your Tech Career Trail in San Diego
• Qualcomm Internship & Early Career Program
• Year Up San Diego
• Per Scholas San Diego
• Illumina Genomics Internship Program
• Leidos Entry-Level Software Engineer
• Viasat Internship Program
• Create Coding Careers
• General Atomics Energy Group Internships
• Sony Electronics Internship
• General Atomics Facilities & Trades Apprenticeship
• Choosing Your Path: A Final Look
• Frequently Asked Questions

Qualcomm Internship & Early Career Program

The summit hike for aspiring engineers in San Diego begins at Qualcomm. Its prestigious summer internship and new grad programs represent a steep, high-altitude path, with compensation for specialized software roles reaching up to $98 per hour, plus comprehensive relocation and housing support. Peak recruiting for these coveted spots runs from mid-September through October for the following summer.

Interns don't perform busywork; they are embedded in teams building foundational technology for AI at the edge, working on real-world projects in wireless engineering, 5G/6G development, and multimedia software. The program includes over 35 professional development and social events, designed to foster deep connections. According to their Campus Forward Award recognition, Qualcomm seeks innovators who thrive in collaborative, research-driven environments, with a high percentage of interns receiving return offers.

Success requires strong academic standing in Computer Science or Electrical Engineering. Experts advising candidates for competitive 2026 roles suggest creating a tangible "proof of capability" project, such as a simulated networking lab or an ML model for signal processing, to stand out. The trailhead is accessed via the Qualcomm careers portal, where applications typically open in late August - early submission is critical as interviews commence quickly.

Year Up San Diego

For young adults seeking a structured bridge into corporate tech without a four-year degree, Year Up San Diego offers a transformative 12-month guided expedition. The program provides five months of intensive training in IT or Business Fundamentals followed by a six-month internship at a partner company, all while participants earn a weekly stipend ($150 during training, $220 during internship) to remove financial barriers.

This trail is designed for those who need foundational gear and expert navigation. The training phase builds both hard technical skills and crucial soft skills, while the internship delivers tangible, resume-building experience at a local company. The outcomes validate the path: 72% of graduates secure a job or continue their education within four months, with an average starting salary of $53,000. As one alum, Lucy Sithole, shared about her experience in a similar workforce development model:

"Right before the program even finished, I had secured a job at a premier private equity firm... where I started working a couple months ago."

The key prerequisites are a high school diploma or GED, demonstrable drive, and professionalism, with the program explicitly targeting motivated individuals from underserved communities. Admissions are rolling via the Year Up Student Portal. It's a committed trek, but offers unparalleled wraparound support, including career coaching and a powerful professional network throughout San Diego's tech and business landscape.

Per Scholas San Diego

Acting as a critical resupply point for career changers, Per Scholas San Diego offers a direct, 100% tuition-free path into tech. Its full-time training courses, valued at $15,000, run 12-15 weeks and focus exclusively on immediate job readiness in high-demand fields.

This isn't a traditional internship but a skills bootcamp with a staggering track record. Graduates leave with industry-recognized certifications and practical abilities employers demand. According to the organization's 2024 Annual Report, the national job placement rate within 12 months is 82%, with San Diego graduates seeing average starting wages of $23+ per hour.

The program is designed for rapid, debt-free pivots, requiring no prior tech experience or college degree. The main requirements are commitment to the full-time schedule and passing the admissions assessment. Available course tracks include:

• IT Support
• Cybersecurity
• AWS Cloud

Prospective students should check the current San Diego course schedules, as the application process involves multiple steps and cohorts fill quickly. For those needing to build foundational skills from the ground up, it's one of the most efficient trails onto the tech mountain.

Illumina Genomics Internship Program

For those drawn to the nexus of technology and human health, Illumina's Genomics Internship Program offers a unique trail into San Diego's world-leading biotech corridor. As a global leader in DNA sequencing, Illumina provides competitive 10-12 week summer internships with compensation estimated between $25 and $45 per hour, reflecting the high-demand, interdisciplinary nature of the work at this intersection.

Interns work alongside scientists and engineers developing the software tools and bioinformatics pipelines that power modern genomics. This is a chance to apply computer science and data science to profound problems in biology, contributing to projects with tangible impact on healthcare and research. The program emphasizes growth in both technical prowess and soft skills within a cutting-edge, mission-driven environment.

Ideal candidates are students in Computer Science, Bioinformatics, Data Science, or related fields with a strong academic record. A portfolio demonstrating experience with data analysis, machine learning (particularly with biological datasets), or full-stack development will make an application stand out to recruiters seeking passion for life sciences. Applications for summer roles typically open in late fall or early winter; proactive candidates should monitor the genomics internship program page closely and leverage San Diego's academic network through UCSD or Scripps Research career fairs.

Leidos Entry-Level Software Engineer

For new graduates seeking a direct and stable path into San Diego's substantial defense sector, an entry-level software engineer role at Leidos represents a well-maintained trail. As a major government contractor, Leidos hires directly into full-time positions with starting salaries ranging from $87,100 to $157,450 per year, offering immediate stability and clear advancement tracks from day one.

New hires enter structured onboarding and mentorship within "New Graduate" programs, working on complex system solutions, cybersecurity, and government tech contracts critical to national security. This role provides the chance to contribute to large-scale, consequential projects that are a cornerstone of the local economy, contrasting with the sprint of a summer internship for a more sustained professional climb.

A bachelor’s or master’s degree in Computer Science or a closely related field is required, with skills in C++, Java, Python, and cloud platforms being highly valued. Security clearance eligibility is a significant advantage and often a requirement for these roles. Peak hiring for new graduates begins nearly a year in advance; setting up job alerts for titles like "New Graduate Software Engineer" in San Diego on platforms like ZipRecruiter and applying early in the cycle is crucial for securing a position on this established path.

Viasat Internship Program

Launching into San Diego's growing aerospace and secure communications sector, the Viasat Internship Program offers a substantive 10-12 week summer experience at their Carlsbad headquarters. With compensation reaching up to $9,880 per month for master's level interns (approximately $57 per hour), this trail provides both high reward and deep technical immersion into the region's space tech ecosystem.

Interns are integrated directly into active teams working on the forefront of secure global connectivity, contributing to projects in satellite communications, advanced software engineering, and network security. The experience is known for its technical substance and frequently serves as a direct pipeline to full-time employment at their San Diego-area offices. User reviews on sites like Levels.fyi consistently highlight the depth of hands-on project work and the quality of mentorship provided.

Ideal candidates are pursuing degrees in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Cybersecurity. Practical experience with networking protocols, embedded systems, or relevant software development stacks provides a significant advantage in the application process. To successfully navigate this trailhead, prospective interns should research specific teams or projects on Viasat's website and tailor their application to demonstrate clear alignment with the company's mission in secure connectivity, as applications typically open in the fall for the following summer.

Create Coding Careers

For career changers seeking a hands-on, earning-while-learning model, Create Coding Careers represents a distinctive apprenticeship trail through San Diego's tech landscape. Unlike tuition-based bootcamps, this local program offers a paid apprenticeship, typically lasting 6 to 12 months, where participants learn marketable skills while on the job with a local company.

The apprenticeship model is explicitly designed for individuals with non-traditional backgrounds, providing the crucial bridge between theoretical training and professional employment. Apprentices are placed into roles such as:

• Software development
• Quality Assurance (QA)
• Cloud support
• AI prompt engineering

This practical, mentorship-focused approach allows career switchers to gain relevant experience and build a professional network simultaneously, making it a viable alternative to more traditional educational paths.

While less focused on formal degrees, applicants must demonstrate foundational coding skills, professional grit, and a readiness to learn. Some self-study or completion of introductory online courses is typically expected before application. As a San Diego-based initiative, it leverages local industry connections. Interested individuals should visit the Create Coding Careers website for the latest intake information and be prepared to showcase any personal projects or self-directed learning during the process.

General Atomics Energy Group Internships

For students passionate about hard science and its real-world application, the General Atomics Energy Group Internships offer a research-intensive expedition into the future of energy. Hosted at GA's DIII-D National Fusion Facility, these 10-16 week programs provide hands-on experience with compensation around $27 per hour, placing participants at the heart of national energy research projects.

This trail is distinct from commercial software internships, focusing instead on deep technical research in fusion technology and advanced engineering. Interns contribute directly to pioneering projects, with their work culminating in a formal paper and poster presentation. This experience offers unparalleled preparation for careers in advanced energy, physics, or related engineering fields, building a specialized research portfolio.

The program targets undergraduate and graduate students in Physics, Nuclear Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Computer Science (for computational roles). A strong academic record and genuine research interest are paramount. The application window is notably strict; for Summer 2026, applications open around October 23, 2025, and are due by January 7, 2026. All details and the application portal are available on the General Atomics Energy Group Internships page, requiring diligent planning from prospective candidates.

Sony Electronics Internship

At Sony's San Diego headquarters, the internship program offers a creative tech pathway into the world of consumer electronics. Summer interns engage in 10-12 weeks of professional work with compensation ranging from $20 to $39 per hour, depending on the specific role and the candidate's education level, aligning with data from salary reports for the region.

Interns gain hands-on experience in areas like systems engineering, multimedia software development, or consumer electronics R&D, getting a behind-the-scenes look at how a global innovator designs and develops its products. The work often connects to accredited university programs, allowing participants to earn academic credit while building their professional portfolio in a corporate environment distinct from San Diego's dominant defense and biotech sectors.

The program is ideal for students in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, or Design. As with many competitive internships, a portfolio or project that showcases concrete skills - such as embedded systems work, app development, or multimedia processing - can serve as a crucial differentiator. To access this trailhead, prospective interns should monitor Sony's career portal and LinkedIn in early 2025, as recruitment for Summer and Fall 2026 roles typically begins almost a full year in advance.

General Atomics Facilities & Trades Apprenticeship

For individuals who thrive on hands-on problem-solving in high-tech environments, the General Atomics Facilities & Trades Apprenticeship offers a four-year, long-haul trek toward a stable and skilled career. This registered apprenticeship prepares candidates for critical roles in maintaining the advanced aerospace and defense facilities that dot San Diego's landscape, with starting salaries ranging from $38,000 to $56,000 for entry-level positions and significant growth upon completion.

Apprentices receive comprehensive training in specialized trades like electrical systems, HVAC, or CNC mechanics, applying these skills directly within General Atomics' advanced manufacturing and research environments. This "legacy" training model is designed for long-term retention, offering exceptional job security and a clear, certified path to becoming a journeyman in a vital industrial sector.

This trail is ideal for those who enjoy tangible results and seek a reliable career without pursuing a traditional four-year computer science degree. The main requirements are a high school diploma or equivalent, demonstrable mechanical aptitude, and the ability to pass relevant screenings. The program is run in partnership with local educational institutions; interested individuals should explore apprenticeship pathways through the San Diego Community College District and the San Diego Workforce Partnership.

Choosing Your Path: A Final Look

Your final step at this career trailhead is honest self-assessment. Are you a student with a strong academic record, ready for the intense sprint of a Qualcomm internship? A career changer needing the foundational gear of Per Scholas? Or a new grad prepared for the steady climb at Leidos? Each trail on this map serves a different starting point within San Diego's unique biotech, defense, and wireless peaks.

If your assessment reveals a need to build or sharpen specific technical skills before embarking, affordable, focused training can be the perfect gear check. Bootcamps like those offered by Nucamp provide structured, community-supported paths in high-demand areas like backend Python development, which underpin many local AI and data roles. With programs designed for working adults and career changers, they offer a practical way to gain the credentials needed to access these competitive trails.

Study the conditions of your own goals and resources. Pack your pack with the right skills - whether through a degree, an apprenticeship, or targeted upskilling. Then, take that first confident step onto the trail that leads to your summit in San Diego's dynamic and rewarding tech landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions