AI Native Systems Research Scientist Intern 2027

Introduction

At IBM Research, we are the innovation engine of IBM. Exploring what's next in computing and shaping the technologies the world will rely on tomorrow. From advancing AI and hybrid cloud to pioneering practical quantum computing, we anticipate challenges and unlock new opportunities for clients, partners, and society. Working in Research means joining a team that accelerates discovery at the intersection of high-performance computing, AI, quantum, and cloud. You'll collaborate with leading scientists, engineers, and visionaries to push boundaries and turn ideas into reality. With a culture built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration, IBM Research offers the opportunity to grow your career while contributing to breakthroughs that transform industries and change the world.

Your role and responsibilities

Join a team conducting cutting-edge research in AI Native Distributed Systems. In this role, you will explore and advance one or more of many aspects of AI-native distributed computing we are currently working on, including: design, development, and optimization of software platforms for building, deploying, and managing large language models (LLMs) and agents; principles, methodologies, and frameworks for AI-native software development, evolution, and optimization; high-performance distributed inference for LLMs; frameworks, tools, and infrastructure that support the end-to-end AI lifecycle;

networking for AI infrastructure, developing/prototyping networking solutions and techniques for future AI systems, including networking for distributed inference and RDMA over Ethernet networking, as well as evaluation of the solutions from performance, scalability, and resiliency perspectives; networking innovations that enable high-performance communication for AI workloads and emerging distributed inference patterns.

The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in AI, large language models, and agentic workloads, combined with expertise in systems, networking, or software engineering. As an intern, you will contribute across the full industrial research lifecycle: formulating novel ideas, designing and building prototype systems, evaluating performance at scale, demonstrating real-world impact, and publishing results in leading scientific venues.

Required education

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred education

Master's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Engineering, or related field (MS/PhD), with a focus on artificial intelligence, systems, networking, or software development.
• Background in artificial intelligence and machine learning, including areas such as deep learning, LLMs, distributed LLM inference, or agentic patterns
• Strong background in software development, including proficiency in languages such as Python, Go, C++, or Rust
• Experience with containerization using Docker, Kubernetes, or other container orchestration tools.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Understanding of LLM technology, distributed inference, llm-d/vLLM
• Designing and implementing distributed systems
• Experience in cloud/data Center networking, Software-Defined Networking (SDN), network virtualization, or Linux networking
• Research and development experience in AI platforms, including the design, implementation, and optimization of AI frameworks and tools

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Research is the organic growth engine of IBM and an innovation engine for our customers and partners. As part of this mission, IBM Research anticipates and examines 'What's Next in Computing' to ultimately create and integrate the technologies the world relies upon to solve big challenges and unlock new opportunities. We create and pioneer new markets for IBM, our partners and customers as exemplified in our ongoing quest to reach practical and large-scale quantum computing. Across IBM Research, we realize the power and potential to accelerate discovery with our partners and clients by combining the power of high performance computing, AI, and Quantum, all integrated through the hybrid cloud.

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

Supplemental 1 employees may be eligible for up to 8 paid holidays, minimum of 56 hours paid sick time and the IBM Employee Stock Purchase Plan. IBM offers paid family medical leave and disability benefits to eligible employees where required by applicable law. This position was posted on the date cited in the key job details section and is anticipated to remain posted for 15 days from this date or less if not needed to fill the role. We consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable law.

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.

Job Title

AI Native Systems Research Scientist Intern 2027

Date posted

10-Sep-2026

Job ID

132423

City / Township / Village

Yorktown Heights

State / Province

New York

Country

United States

Work arrangement

Onsite

Area of work

Research

Employment type

Co-Op (Fixed Term)

Contract type

Internship

Projected Minimum Salary per year

89,280.00

Projected Maximum Salary per year

163,680.00

Position type

Internship

Travel required

No Travel

Company

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?

No