AI Software Engineer Internship (Read description)

About the Role

Oakwood is seeking an AI Software Engineer Intern focused on developing exceptional engineering skills. This is a hands-on, learning-focused opportunity to collaborate with the team, explore modern software systems, and gain exposure to building an AI-powered platform from the ground up. This is an unpaid, six-month internship requiring significant time, consistent participation, and genuine commitment.

Key Responsibilities

• Software Engineering: Assist with designing, developing, testing, and improving platform features and software components.
• AI Development: Research and experiment with AI agents, large language models, intelligent workflows, and automation.
• Backend Systems: Support learning projects involving APIs, databases, integrations, and data processing.
• Technical Research: Evaluate frameworks, developer tools, and emerging technologies relevant to the product.
• Troubleshooting: Reproduce bugs, investigate root causes, test fixes, and learn sound debugging practices.
• Quality and Documentation: Write tests, document engineering work, and communicate technical findings clearly.
• Product Thinking: Understand user problems, technical trade-offs, and how well-designed software creates value.

Assignments will be aligned with the intern's experience, educational objectives, and the team's capacity to provide mentorship and supervision. Opportunities for greater responsibility will depend on demonstrated skills and appropriate learning goals.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Foundational knowledge of programming, algorithms, data structures, and software development.
• Experience with Python, JavaScript, TypeScript, or another programming language.
• Familiarity with Git, GitHub, APIs, databases, cloud services, or software testing is helpful.
• Strong interest in AI systems, machine learning, agentic workflows, or automation.
• Ability to research unfamiliar concepts and work through technical challenges thoughtfully.
• Personal projects, open-source contributions, or a GitHub portfolio are encouraged.
• Clear communication, reliability, collaboration, and openness to constructive feedback.

Students, recent graduates, and self-taught developers with relevant experience are welcome. Expertise in every technology listed is not required. Demonstrated ability, engineering potential, initiative, and commitment are valued more than credentials.

What We Expect

• Substantial effort throughout the full six months.
• Continuous learning, participation in technical discussions, follow-through on agreed assignments, documentation of progress, and asking questions for support.
• Curiosity when something breaks, investigation of system workings, and care for building reliable, maintainable software.
• Consideration of security, testing, scalability, clarity, and user experience.

This is an unpaid, six-month internship requiring significant dedication. No extension or future employment is guaranteed.

Compensation & Learning Experience

• This internship is unpaid.
• The intended educational experience includes exposure to software architecture, AI workflows, testing, technical documentation, product development, and startup decision-making.
• Interns may receive mentorship and feedback from team members and opportunities to strengthen skills through appropriate technical projects.

Any portfolio use of project work is subject to confidentiality and intellectual property requirements.

Why You Might Want to Apply

• Gain firsthand exposure to the engineering process.
• See how technical ideas are evaluated.
• Develop stronger judgment through research, experimentation, and collaboration.
• Understand what it takes to build a technology company from the ground up.
• Opportunity to develop as an engineer, gain experience with emerging AI technologies, and collaborate with startup founders and engineers.
• Potential for growth beyond the internship: exceptional interns may be considered for continued collaboration, additional responsibilities, and potential long-term positions, depending on business needs and available resources.

Six months of focused learning, consistent effort, and professional development can help build the foundation for a stronger engineering career. Future positions are not guaranteed and depend on performance, available openings, company resources, and business needs.