zOS Core Technologies Back End Developer Intern 2027 - Poughkeepsie

Introduction

As an intern, you'll gain hands-on experience working on real-world projects that impact users globally. You'll collaborate with architects and developers to produce and maintain backend services, APIs, and internal tooling using modern AI technologies. We are also looking for you to bring your own knowledge and expertise to the role along with a willingness to challenge the status quo in the interest of developing the best business outcomes. Are you ready to lead in this new era of technology and solve some of the world's most challenging problems? If so, let's talk!

Your role and responsibilities

IBM is seeking a talented and enthusiastic Backend Developer to join our team. This is an excellent opportunity for Interns to contribute to enterprise-scale software development projects, learn from experienced engineers, and grow within a global technology leader. You'll help build and maintain backend systems that power IBM's internal and external applications. You will have the opportunity to experience full stack development working across the entire system architecture.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist in the development and maintenance of backend services, APIs, and data integrations.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams including front-end developers, architects, and product managers.
• Write clean, efficient, and well-documented code.
• Participate in code reviews, testing, and debugging activities.
• Support deployment and monitoring of backend applications in cloud, enterprise, and hybrid environments.
• Continuously learn and apply best practices in software engineering and backend architecture.

Required education

High School Diploma/GED

Required technical and professional expertise

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science or a related technical field.
• Strong programming skills in one or more system-level or backend languages such as C, C++, Python.
• Foundational knowledge of Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, Data Structures, and Algorithms.
• Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Interest in applying AI-assisted development tools and modern software engineering practices to improve productivity and code quality.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Coursework or experience in Assembler, Operating Systems, Computer Architecture, and Systems Programming.
• Understanding of software development practices, including source control (Git/GitHub), code reviews, and defect tracking tools such as Jira.
• Familiarity with mainframe, enterprise computing, or z/OS environments.
• Experience with performance analysis, debugging, recovery, or low-level system software development.
• Exposure to AI technologies applied to software development, automation, or operational efficiency.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Systems helps IT leaders think differently about their infrastructure. IBM servers and storage are no longer inanimate - they can understand, reason, and learn so our clients can innovate while avoiding IT issues. Our systems power the world's most important industries and our clients are the architects of the future. Join us to help build our leading-edge technology portfolio designed for cognitive business and optimized for cloud computing.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we're also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.