Product Intern

Product Engineer Intern

OpenGov is looking for Product Engineer Interns who are eager to learn what it means to own a product — from customer discovery through delivery. This internship is built around a new kind of role born from AI's ability to handle execution work that once required multiple specialists. What AI cannot do is decide what matters, talk to customers, make the right call in ambiguous situations, or own whether a product succeeds. That is what Product Engineers learn to do — and this internship is where that journey starts.

This role is first and foremost about developing product thinking — not becoming a developer. The best interns will be the ones who grow genuinely curious about customers: who they are, what they actually need, and what outcomes depend on solving their problems. The engineering side — using AI-native tooling to write code, build interfaces — is a skill you will be introduced to and encouraged to develop. It is a career accelerator, not a day-one requirement.

If you have a background or strong interest in product management, UX design, engineering, or some combination — and you want real ownership of a problem rather than a slide deck — this internship is for you.

"Product Engineer" is two words — but the first word is the one that matters most. The second is how you get there.

The 10-week internship will run from June 7, 2027 through August 13, 2027.

What You'll Work On

• A scoped product problem: a defined set of customers, problems, and outcomes — sized for a 10–12 week engagement with real impact.
• Customer discovery: you will conduct or observe customer conversations and translate what you learn into product decisions.
• User experience flows: you will define interaction patterns within an existing design system and validate them with users.
• AI-assisted delivery: using AI-native tooling, you will move from intent to spec to working prototype — supported by your team, but accountable for the output.
• Metrics: you will define what success looks like for your area and track it throughout the internship.

How AI Works in This Role

AI-native tooling handles a significant portion of what product managers and designers have historically spent their time on. As an intern, you will be hands-on with these tools from day one:

• Spec writing: AI drafts the first spec from your intent statement. You learn to review, sharpen, and own what gets built.
• UX design: AI generates mockups from the design system based on your flow definitions. You make the product decisions within it.
• Research synthesis: AI clusters and themes interview notes and support data. You interpret what it means and make the call.
• Release content: AI generates release notes and enablement materials from shipped features. You review and refine them.
• Test coverage: AI generates test cases from acceptance criteria. You learn to write criteria precise enough to verify.

What AI does not do: understand your customers, make the call on what matters, own the outcome, or build the cross-functional trust that makes things ship. That is the job — and what you will be learning.

Key Responsibilities

• Participate in customer discovery conversations; synthesize what you hear into defensible product decisions.
• Define user experience flows and interaction patterns within the existing design system.
• Write intent documents that AI tooling can execute against; review AI-generated specs for accuracy and completeness.
• Partner with your engineering and product mentor to resolve ambiguity in real time during the development cycle.
• Track adoption and usage metrics for your scoped area; use them to drive iteration.
• Present your product area and findings in a final intern showcase — covering the customer problem, what you built, and what you would do next.
• Surface gaps, risks, and unanswered questions proactively; don't wait to be asked.

Qualifications & What We're Looking For

• Currently pursuing a degree in computer science, information systems, product design, HCI, business, or a closely adjacent field — or equivalent self-directed experience.
• Genuine curiosity about customers and why products succeed or fail; you find yourself asking "who is this for and does it actually solve their problem?"
• Strong written communication: you can articulate a product decision clearly enough that an engineer and a designer walk away aligned.
• Comfort with ambiguity and speed: you make reasonable decisions with incomplete information rather than waiting for certainty.
• Willingness to grow into code fluency using AI-native tooling — you don't need to arrive as a developer, but you must be willing to get there.
• Prior exposure to product management, UX design, software development, or customer research is a plus — in any form (coursework, projects, prior internships, side work).
• Familiarity with design tools (Figma, etc.) or development tooling is welcome but not required.

Compensation

Boston, MA: $30 per hour

On target ranges above include base plus a portion of variable compensation that is earned based on company and individual performance.

The final compensation will be determined by a number of factors such as qualifications, expertise, and the candidate's geographical location.

Why OpenGov?

A Mission That Matters.

At OpenGov, public service is personal. We are passionate about our mission to power more effective and accountable government. Government that operates efficiently, adapts to change, and strengthens public trust. Some people say this is boring. We think it's the core of our democracy.

Opportunity to Innovate.

The next great wave of innovation is unfolding with AI, and it will impact everything—from the way we work to the way governments interact with their residents. Join a trusted team with the passion, technology, and expertise to drive innovation and bring AI to local government. We've touched 2,000 communities so far, and we're just getting started.

A Team of Passionate, Driven People.

This isn't your typical 9-to-5 job; we operate in a fast-paced, results-driven environment where impact matters more than simply clocking in and out. Our global team of 800+ employees is united in our commitment to challenge the status quo. OpenGov is headquartered in San Francisco and has offices in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dubuque, Dallas, and Pune.

A Place to Make Your Mark.

We pride ourselves on our performance-based culture, where every employee is encouraged to jump in head-first and take action to help us improve. If you have a great idea, we want to hear it. Excellent performance is recognized and rewarded, and we love to promote from within.

Benefits That Work for You.

Enjoy an award-winning workplace with the benefits to match, including:

• Comprehensive healthcare options for individuals and families
• Flexible vacation policy and paid company holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid parental leave, wellness stipends, and HSA contributions
• Professional development and growth opportunities
• A collaborative office environment with weekly catered lunches.