AI Data Engineer Intern

AI DATA ENGINEER / SOFTWARE ENGINEER INTERN Build Real AI Software. Work With AWS. Develop the Future. 16 Squares, Inc., a Blacksburg, Virginia, SaaS company, is looking for an AI Data Engineer / Software Engineer Intern to join our engineering team and help build the next generation of AI-driven applications. This is not a traditional internship where you spend your time watching someone else code. You will have the opportunity to write real software, build APIs, work with databases, develop AI integrations, deploy applications to AWS, and contribute to both front-end and back-end systems. If you are the type of person who enjoys figuring out how things work, building software, experimenting with AI, and learning new technologies, we want to hear from you. WHAT YOU'LL WORK ONAs an AI Data Engineer / Software Engineer Intern, you may work on projects involving: Artificial intelligence and generative AIAI-powered web applicationsPython back-end servicesREST APIsPostgreSQL databasesData pipelines and ETLLarge language modelsAI agentsRetrieval-augmented generation (RAG)Front-end web applicationsCloud infrastructureUser authenticationContainerized applicationsAutomated deploymentsData processing and analyticsYou will work with technologies including: Python • PostgreSQL • SQL • Docker • Git • AWS • Azure AI • REST APIs • JavaScript/TypeScript • React AWS CLOUD TECHNOLOGIESYou will gain practical experience working with AWS, including: Amazon S3Amazon RDS / PostgreSQLAmazon CognitoAmazon ECSAWS FargateAmazon CloudFrontAmazon Route 53AWS Certificate Manager (ACM)IAMCloudWatchVPC and networking fundamentalsDocker/container deploymentThe goal is for you to understand how these technologies work together to build a secure, scalable, production-quality application. AI TECHNOLOGIESYou will also gain experience with modern AI application development, potentially including: Generative AILarge language modelsAI agentsPrompt engineeringEmbeddingsVector searchRAGAI APIs and SDKsAzure AI FoundryAzure AI servicesModel evaluationAI application securityResponsible AIWHO WE'RE LOOKING FORWe are looking for someone who is: Studying Computer Science, Software Engineering, Data Science, AI, IT, or a related field; or has demonstrated equivalent technical ability.Comfortable writing Python.Comfortable with SQL and interested in PostgreSQL.Familiar with Git/GitHub.Interested in AWS cloud technologies.Interested in artificial intelligence and generative AI.Comfortable learning unfamiliar technologies.A problem solver who enjoys researching answers.Able to work independently while also collaborating with senior engineers.Detail-oriented and willing to test and improve their work.CERTIFICATIONSYou do not need every certification listed below to apply. However, candidates who already possess, or are actively pursuing, relevant certifications will receive strong consideration. AWSPreferred certifications include: AWS Certified Cloud PractitionerAWS Certified Data Engineer – AssociateAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAWS Certified Developer – AssociateAWS Certified AI PractitionerMicrosoft AzurePreferred: Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Apps and Agents Developer Associate (AI-103) Candidates who already possess the former Azure AI Engineer Associate (AI-102) certification are also encouraged to apply. Microsoft retired AI-102 on June 30, 2026 and replaced it with AI-103. THIS INTERNSHIP IS A GREAT FIT IF...You have ever: Built a Python application.Created a website or web application.Built an API.Worked with PostgreSQL or another relational database.Used AWS.Built a chatbot or AI application.Experimented with ChatGPT, LLMs, or AI APIs.Built something with Docker.Created a GitHub project.Taken a cloud-computing or AI course.Earned an AWS or Microsoft certification.Started a technical project just because you wanted to see if you could build it.We care about what you can build and how you think—not just the credentials on your résumé. WHAT YOU WILL LEARNBy the end of the internship, you should have practical experience with the architecture of a modern AI application: Frontend ↓ API / Application Layer ↓ Python Backend ↓ AI Services / LLMs ↓ PostgreSQL / Data Layer ↓ AWS Cloud Infrastructure ↓ Authentication / Security / Monitoring ↓ Production Deployment You will also develop experience with professional software-development practices including Git, testing, code review, documentation, debugging, CI/CD, cloud deployment, and security. WHY JOIN US?This internship provides an opportunity to work at the intersection of: Artificial Intelligence + Software Engineering + Data Engineering + Cloud Computing You will work directly on technology that is intended to become part of real-world applications. This is an opportunity to build a portfolio of meaningful engineering work while learning from experienced developers and gaining practical experience with technologies that are widely used in modern AI systems. INTERNSHIP DETAILSPosition: AI Data Engineer / Software Engineer Intern Type: Unpaid Hours: 20–40 hours per week Location: Hybrid Duration: Nine (9) months, until May 2027 Start Date: Immediately Potential for Continued Employment: Yes HOW TO APPLYPlease submit by email (to chip@pleajudge.ai): RésuméGitHub or software portfolio, if availableBrief description of one software, AI, data, or cloud project you have builtList of AWS, Azure, Microsoft, or other technical certificationsExpected internship availability Apply by emailing: chip@pleajudge.ai [Company Name] is an equal opportunity employer.