About the role#
The Apps@Research team builds tools to help IBM researchers work faster. We focus on compute, agents, models, and data. As a Design Engineer Intern, you will work with product managers and engineers to build new experiences from initial sketches to final software. You will help us carry the IBM Research voice into our interfaces while using your own aesthetic judgment.
What you'll do#
- Design and ship UI work for production applications.
- Prototype in code to get clickable tools in front of researchers quickly.
- Iterate on designs based on user feedback.
- Extend and document our component library and Storybook.
- Work alongside AI coding agents and refine how the team uses them.
- Practice loop engineering for agentic processes.
- Implement agent swarms to split tasks across parallel agents.
What you'll need#
- A portfolio showing craft in typography, layout, color, motion, and interaction states.
- At least one project you designed, built, and put in front of real users.
- Working knowledge of HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and component frameworks.
- Ability to move a design from Figma to a working component.
- Experience with design systems, including variants, tokens, and documentation.
- Hands-on experience with AI coding tools beyond simple prompting.
- Back-end familiarity with Python, Go, or Node.js to shape API data for interfaces.
- A clear point of view on software and interface design.
- Ability to write in a specific brand or client voice.
- Knowledge of accessibility fundamentals like keyboard navigation and semantic markup.
- Proficiency with Git, pull requests, and code reviews.
- Exposure to cloud development, such as containers, Kubernetes, or OpenShift.
- Familiarity with Agile practices and interface writing for empty states and error messages.
Location & details#
- Location: Yorktown Heights, New York
- Term: Summer 2027
- Work Modality: On-site
- Employment Type: Full-time internship
- Majors: Computer Science or Computer Engineering
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.
