About the role#
The AI-Native Hardware-Software Co-design team at IBM Research focuses on integrating hardware and software development through a continuous co-design loop. We work on projects including AI-assisted compiler development, kernel optimization, RTL generation, and cross-layer system optimization. As an intern, you will join a project aligned with your background to help shorten development cycles and improve end-to-end system performance. You will work with a research mentor and an interdisciplinary team to explore ideas that influence future IBM systems and the broader computing ecosystem.
What you'll do#
- Contribute to research and prototype development in areas matching your expertise.
- Apply machine learning, generative AI, automated reasoning, reinforcement learning, or systems techniques to specific hardware or software engineering challenges.
- Investigate reinforcement learning and post-training methods to extend open models for tasks like RTL generation, optimization, and verification.
- Design experiments and benchmarks to measure correctness, performance, efficiency, and engineering productivity.
- Explore connections between your assigned project and other layers of the computing stack.
- Collaborate with researchers and engineers across AI, compilers, computer architecture, digital design, and systems software.
- Document your findings and share results through technical reports, presentations, code, and potential research publications.
What you'll need#
- Current enrollment in a Master's or PhD program in computer science, computer engineering, electrical engineering, or a related field.
- Strong programming or hardware-development skills in languages such as Python, C, C++, Verilog, or SystemVerilog.
- Experience in at least one area: compilers, kernel development, machine learning systems, reinforcement learning, computer architecture, digital design, RTL development, hardware verification, or hardware-software co-design.
- Experience conducting technical experiments, debugging complex systems, analyzing quantitative results, or building research prototypes.
- Ability to communicate technical ideas and work effectively in a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Beneficial experience includes reinforcement learning, generative AI, LLVM, MLIR, Triton, CUDA, PyTorch, JAX, hardware simulation, formal verification, or performance modeling.
Location & details#
- Term: Summer 2027
- Location: United States
- Modality: On-site
- Status: Full-time, paid internship
About IBM
IBM provides IT services and consulting to a global client base. The company develops technology solutions across areas such as cloud computing, security, analytics, and infrastructure. It operates as a public organization with more than 10,001 employees. The corporate headquarters are located in Armonk, New York.
How to get in at IBM
Applying early at IBM gives you a measurable advantage because recruiters review applications as they arrive. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, so you can submit your materials before the pile grows. Being among the first candidates seen helps you stand out in a large applicant pool. You can also improve your response rates by reaching out to the recruiters behind the roles directly. Intern Insider surfaces the specific contacts for IBM positions so you can ask about the role or a referral. This direct approach often works better than sending your resume into a queue.



