Search for Junior Software Development Engineer internships in San Luis Obispo, CA, requiring enrollment in a Computer Science or related STEM degree program, with programming skills in Java or Python, and availability for part-time work during the school year.

Okay, I've searched for Junior Software Development Engineer internship roles in San Luis Obispo, CA, that require enrollment in a Computer Science or related STEM degree program, programming skills in Java or Python, and part-time availability during the school year. I have found 27 positions for you.

Junior Software Development Engineer

San Luis Obispo, CA

Bachelor

Computer Science

Java

Can you help me to analyze the job description and company culture?

Sure. Here's the analysis:

Job Analysis:

This Jr. Software Development Engineer role at Amazon, based in San Luis Obispo, is fundamentally designed to integrate students pursuing STEM degrees into real-world software engineering projects through Amazon’s Jr Developer Program. The core purpose is to develop coding proficiency and collaborative software development skills under the mentorship of experienced engineers, while contributing tangible software solutions to address Amazon's complex technical challenges. Given the part-time (during academic sessions) and full-time (summers) structure, the role demands adaptability, time management, and a strong commitment to learning in a fast-paced, highly technical environment. Candidates will likely confront the dual challenge of balancing academic commitments with the expectation to deliver impactful code and contribute meaningfully to team goals. Success in this position means demonstrating growth from novice to more autonomous developer capabilities, effectively communicating about technical problems, and embracing ambiguity by applying abstract thinking to undefined or evolving problems. Proficiency in at least one modern programming language (Java, Python, or C++) and a grounding in object-oriented principles are essential, as is the capacity to thrive in an in-person, collaborative setting given the on-site work requirement. The role implicitly expects ongoing problem-solving, creative thinking, and a willingness to engage with constructive feedback, paving the way for potential full-time employment post-graduation. The position’s emphasis on mentorship alongside project ownership reflects Amazon’s investment in cultivating foundational engineering talent capable of navigating both technical complexity and team dynamics.

Company Analysis:

Lensa occupies an innovative space within the career services and recruitment technology market, distinguished by its use of machine learning algorithms and data-driven assessments to enhance job matching efficiency and candidate experience. As a company founded on reducing the friction and inefficiency in job search, Lensa’s culture likely values creativity, data literacy, and user-centric approaches—traits that align with supporting Amazon’s internship initiative by funneling capable candidates into growth-driven software engineering projects. The partnership with a high-caliber, global technology leader like Amazon also reflects Lensa’s commitment to linking emerging talent with market-leading employers. While Lensa itself is a growing disruptor focused on leveraging AI and gamification to improve employment outcomes, the role under discussion is directly within Amazon, a large, operationally complex corporation known for customer obsession, ownership, and operational excellence. This dynamic means the candidate will need to be comfortable bridging startup-like innovation mindsets delivered by Lensa’s platform with Amazon’s rigorous, scalable, and high-impact engineering culture. Given the scale and visibility of Amazon as an employer, the internship is not only a technical training ground but an immersion into a culture that demands high standards, fast learning, and active contribution. Candidates should prepare for a workplace where teamwork, feedback, and continuous improvement are the norm, whereas individual contributions quickly become part of much larger, globally impactful systems. The role aligns strategically with Amazon's goal of investing early in future talent pipelines, ensuring candidates develop core competencies and cultural fit that support long-term organizational success.

Mock up some interview questions based on the job description.

Absolutely. Here are some mock interview questions that could come up:

Behavioral: Tell me about a time when you had to learn a new programming language or technology quickly to complete a project. How did you approach it?
Behavioral: Describe a situation where you encountered an ambiguous or poorly defined problem in a team setting. How did you contribute to resolving it?
Behavioral: Can you share an experience of receiving constructive criticism on your code or technical work? How did you respond and improve?
Behavioral: Explain a time when you had to balance competing priorities such as schoolwork and a technical project. How did you manage your time and deliver results?
Technical: How do you apply object-oriented design principles when writing software? Can you give an example from a past project?
Technical: Walk me through how you would debug a performance issue in a Java or Python application.
Technical: What strategies do you use to ensure your code is readable, maintainable, and scalable in a collaborative team environment?
Technical: Explain how you would design a small feature that supports both functionality and usability for an end-user.
Situational: Imagine you are working on a team project and discover a bug that your teammate’s code introduced. How do you handle the situation?
Situational: If you are given a complex task with minimal initial guidance, how would you go about understanding and delivering the requirements?
Situational: Suppose your mentor gives you challenging feedback that is difficult to implement. What steps would you take to incorporate it effectively?
Company Fit/Motivation: Why are you interested in the Jr. Software Development Engineer role at Amazon specifically, and what do you hope to gain from it?
Company Fit/Motivation: How do your long-term career goals align with the opportunities and culture described in the Jr Developer Program?
Company Fit/Motivation: Based on what you know about Lensa’s mission and Amazon’s customer-centric culture, how do you see yourself contributing as part of this ecosystem?
Questions for Interviewer: Can you describe the mentoring process during the Jr Developer Program and how it supports professional growth?
Questions for Interviewer: What does success look like for a Jr. SDE in their first 6 months at Amazon’s San Luis Obispo office?
Questions for Interviewer: How does the team you’ll be working with balance innovation with the operational demands of Amazon’s scale?

Job Details

Overview Company

Junior Software Development Engineer

$16.83/h-$75.63/h

Lensa

3 months ago

Highlight

OnsiteInternEntry

Summary

Amazon is seeking a Jr. Software Development Engineer (SDE) for their Jr Developer Program in San Luis Obispo, CA. This role offers a year-round internship opportunity with a focus on real software development and collaboration with experienced engineers.

About the Role

As a Jr. SDE, you will write real software, collaborate with experienced engineers, and contribute to impactful deliverables. The role includes 1:1 mentoring, part-time work during the school year, and full-time work during the summer. You will be integrated into an Amazon team, gaining real-life technical experience and contributing to solving complex technical challenges.

About You

Required:

Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university Bachelor's or Master's degree program.
Majoring in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or related STEM field.
Graduating June 2027 and beyond.
Ability to work year-round until graduation (part-time during the school year and full-time during the summer).
Programming experience with at least one modern language such as Java, Python, or C++ including object-oriented design.

Preferred:

Previous technical internship(s), if applicable.
Ability to effectively articulate technical challenges and solutions.
Adept at handling ambiguous or undefined problems as well as ability to think abstractly.

Benefits

Flexible part-time schedules during the school year and full-time employment over the summer.
1:1 mentoring with an experienced Software Engineer.
Effective performance management and integrated opportunities for growth.
Compensation ranges from $16.83/hr to $75.63/hr based on market location and experience.
Potential for full-time employment upon successful completion of the Jr. Developer Program.
Equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package.
Full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits.

Lensa

What if we could take the search out of job search? This is the question Lensa has been answering since launching in San Francisco, California in August 2016. Using machine learning, we instantly provide companies with candidates and match professionals with positions that fit their skills, goals, personalities, and needs. How does it work? Lensa applies complex algorithms that identify the skills needed to succeed on a given job. Candidates can play computer games that assess their work style, thus gaining insight into their strengths while unlocking career opportunities. The result: job search that puts people first while reducing the time and cost of talent acquisition.

Lensa passed 10 million job seeker registrations in 2019, making the com- pany one of the premier career platforms.

With teams in multiple U.S. locations and a 60-strong crew of developers and data scientists at its R & D headquarters in Europe, Lensa is working every day to share its transformative career technology with the world.

San Luis Obispo, CA