Intern Software Engineer / Agent Engineer - EDA - Poughkeepsie 2027

IBM; City of Poughkeepsie (NY); On-site; USD 61,000 - 143,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mentorship

Learning culture

Job summary

IBM's Electronic Design Automation (EDA) team seeks curious interns to explore software engineering, AI, and semiconductor design. You will work on real problems at the intersection of software, AI, and chip design, gaining exposure to synthesis, verification, and timing analysis.

Ideal candidates are pursuing CS/CE/EE degrees with strong programming foundations in C++, Java, Rust, and Python, plus data structures, algorithms, and digital logic knowledge.

Qualifications

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Familiarity with object-oriented programming languages such as C++, Java, Rust, or similar
• Exposure to Python or other scripting languages
• Knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and digital logic design
• Coursework or exposure to AI or Agent Engineering
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative environments
• Demonstrated curiosity and willingness to learn new technologies

Responsibilities

• EDA is at the center of IBM's Agentic AI transformation in semiconductor development.
• As an EDA Software Engineering Intern, you will collaborate with engineers on real problems at the intersection of software, AI, and chip design.
• Gain exposure to Agentic AI and machine learning techniques applied to chip design workflows, including synthesis and place-and-route automation
• Contribute to software tools that support logic design, functional verification, timing analysis, and physical design
• Work on algorithms and software solutions that improve design quality and accelerate chip development
• Partner with engineers across IBM zSystems, Power Systems, Storage, and Quantum Computing to tackle challenging real-world problems
• At IBM, we prioritize continuous learning and personal growth within a culture of coaching and mentorship.

Skills

C++

Java

Rust

Python

Data structures

Algorithms

Digital logic design

AI exposure

Communication skills

Curiosity

Education

BS/MS/PhD in CS/CE/EE or related

High School Diploma/GED

Bachelor's Degree preferred

Tools

GenAI/Agent AI frameworks

Version control (Git)

Job description

The IBM Electronic Design Automation (EDA) team is looking for curious, driven students with interests in software engineering, AI, and semiconductor design. Our team develops advanced software and Agentic AI solutions that help design and verify IBM's next-generation processors and computing systems — across areas like logic design, verification, synthesis, routing, and timing analysis.

These positions are competitive. We welcome applications from students whose backgrounds include strong programming foundations, coursework in computer science, computer engineering, or electrical engineering, and enthusiasm for AI and advanced computing.

Your role and responsibilities

EDA is at the center of IBM's Agentic AI transformation in semiconductor development. As an EDA Software Engineering Intern, you will collaborate with experienced engineers on real problems at the intersection of software, AI, and chip design.

Work experiences you could be exposed to:

AI & Automation Exploration:Gain exposure to Agentic AI and machine learning techniques applied to chip design workflows, including synthesis and place-and-route automation

Tool Development:Contribute to software tools that support logic design, functional verification, timing analysis, and physical design

Algorithm Development:Work on algorithms and software solutions that improve design quality and accelerate chip development

Team Collaboration:Partner with engineers across IBM zSystems, Power Systems, Storage, and Quantum Computing to tackle challenging real-world problems

At IBM, we prioritize continuous learning and personal growth within a culture of coaching and mentorship.

Required education

High School Diploma/GED

Preferred education

Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Familiarity with object-oriented programming languages such as C++, Java, Rust, or similar
• Exposure to Python or other scripting languages
• Knowledge of data structures, algorithms, and digital logic design
• Coursework or exposure to AI or Agent Engineering
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work effectively in collaborative environments
• Demonstrated curiosity and willingness to learn new technologies

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Knowledge of computer architecture and microarchitecture
• Familiarity with digital, VLSI, or semiconductor design concepts
• Exposure to logic design, functional verification, synthesis, place-and-route, or timing analysis
• Familiarity with GenAI, Agentic AI systems, ML frameworks, or AI-assisted software development
• Familiarity with software engineering practices, testing methodologies, and version control systems

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 portfoliodesigned 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

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.

Projected Minimum Salary per year

61,200.00

Projected Maximum Salary per year

142,800.00

Position type

Internship

No Travel

Company

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?