Amazon has opened applications for its Fall 2026 Software Development Engineer Internship, with positions expected to begin in August or September.
The internship runs for 12 weeks and is available across a long list of US locations, including Seattle, Austin, New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
For students, the timing is worth paying attention to. Amazon is considering candidates with expected graduation dates between October 2026 and September 2029, which gives students across several academic years a chance to apply.
The Seattle listing also shows an annualized starting pay range of $110,500 to $160,000, depending on factors such as experience, qualifications and location.
Amazon Fall 2026 Internship at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Role | Software Development Engineer Intern |
| Start | August/September 2026 |
| Duration | 12 weeks |
| Eligibility | STEM students graduating Oct 2026–Sept 2029 |
| Location | Multiple US cities |
What Amazon Is Looking For
The basic requirements aren’t limited to students who already have several internships on their resume.
Applicants need to be enrolled in a bachelor’s degree or higher in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Data Science, Information Systems or a related STEM field.
You should also have experience with at least one general-purpose programming language. Amazon lists Java, Python, C++, C#, Go, Rust and TypeScript as examples.
Knowledge of data structures, basic algorithms or object-oriented design is also expected.
Previous technical internships and project experience appear under Amazon’s preferred qualifications rather than its basic requirements. Experience with AWS, databases, open-source projects, debugging or AI development tools can help, but those aren’t listed as mandatory requirements.
The Internship Covers More Than Regular Software Development
One interesting part of this opening is the range of technical areas students can highlight during the application.
Amazon lists Machine Learning, Distributed Systems, Database Systems, Quantum Computing, Automated Reasoning, Embedded Systems, Data Engineering, Mobile Development and Game Development, among others.
That doesn’t mean applicants get to choose their exact team. Amazon says placement ultimately depends on business needs. But students can share their technical interests and experience during the application process.
Once selected, interns are matched with a manager and mentor and work on an actual Amazon project. The role can include building scalable services, working with cloud-native systems, participating in code reviews and using GenAI and AI-powered development tools.
Where Could You Work?
Amazon is considering candidates for internship locations across the United States.
The list includes major technology hubs such as Seattle, Bellevue, San Francisco, San Jose, Austin, New York, Boston, Chicago, Denver and Los Angeles, along with many other cities.
Applicants can indicate where they would prefer to work, although Amazon notes that location preferences aren’t guaranteed.
The internship is full-time and in-office. Interns should expect to work up to 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday, and shouldn’t have classes or other employment that conflicts with the workday.
There’s also an eligibility detail that’s easy to overlook: students need to have at least one academic term remaining after the internship ends.
About the $110K–$160K Pay Range
Amazon lists $110,500 to $160,000 annually as the starting pay range for the Seattle position.
Because the internship lasts only 12 weeks, this should not be interpreted as Amazon paying an intern $160,000 for the internship itself. It’s the annualized pay range shown in the job posting.
Final pay can vary based on location, experience and qualifications.
For students who fit the graduation window, the bigger reason to look at this opening is the combination of a major tech company, multiple US locations and exposure to areas ranging from distributed systems to machine learning.
Applications are being considered for Fall 2026, so eligible students may want to check the listing while it remains available.
Official listing: Amazon Fall 2026 SDE Internship — Job ID 3116030
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