Software Engineering Intern - Backend

Role Description

- This is a remote internship role for a Back-End Developer. You will gain hands-on experience designing, implementing, and maintaining server-side logic and databases that power Airbuild’s core systems.

- You’ll work closely with our front-end developer(s), IoT engineer(s), and UX teammates to integrate elements, optimize applications for speed and scalability, and ensure security and data protection. Depending on your background, you may focus more on APIs, database architecture, or monitoring and automation. We are flexible on scope and scheduling, but the near-term goal is to make AB1’s back end usable for real-world sensor data collection and visualization.

- This is a unique opportunity to join a mission-driven startup at the earliest stage, build real-world experience, and contribute to systems that directly impact global climate and water sustainability.

Responsibilities

- Server-Side Development

- Assist in designing and implementing server-side logic and REST APIs for sensor data ingestion.

- Ensure resilience for intermittent connectivity (e.g., buffering/resending when gateways lose internet).

- Database Infrastructure

- Help set up, design, and manage databases (SQL/Postgres preferred) for both real-time and historical data.

- Establish timestamping, archival, and flexible approaches to separating live vs. archived data.

- Optimize for scalability, query performance, and data integrity.

- Core Services & Aggregation

- Contribute to the data aggregation layer, enabling consistent access across pods/sites.

- Implement lightweight monitoring and alerting if sensors go offline or send unusual readings.

- Automation & Deployment

- Support automation across build & deployment, testing, monitoring, and data pipelines.

- Visualization Support

- Deliver minimum viable charting (e.g., line graphs of turbidity or pH over time with date filters).

- Collaborate with front-end and UX developers to integrate back-end data into dashboards.

- Collaboration & Iteration

- Work with IoT engineers (sensor team), front-end developers, and product leads.

- Participate in rapid iterations and agile processes as we refine the platform, with room to adjust based on your availability and skills.

Qualifications

- Familiarity with back-end web development and software development.

- Experience in Scala, Java, or another functional language is a plus.

- Curiosity about API design, data ingestion, and database management.

- Comfort with SQL/Postgres and interest in AWS-based infrastructure.

- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.

- Ability to work independently and remotely in a fast-paced startup environment.

- Eagerness to learn new skills and contribute to a mission-driven team.

Benefits

- Potential equity ownership, based on performance (this is not a paid internship).

- Flexible, remote internship structure (hours and responsibilities can be tailored).

- Opportunity to build real-world back-end systems from the ground up.

- Gain hands-on experience with IoT data pipelines, APIs, databases, and scalable architecture.

- Work directly with founders and engineering leads on innovative environmental technology.

How to Apply

Apply on LinkedIn. After you submit, please also email

with your resume, any links (GitHub/portfolio), and 2–3 sentences on why this fits you. Please expect a technical interview! (no LeetCode)