Software Developer Coop Fall 2026

IBM; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 20,664 - 41,328; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology company is seeking a Software Developer Coop to join their engineering teams in Durham, North Carolina. This internship offers students hands-on experience in coding, software design, and collaboration within an Agile environment. Candidates will work with various programming languages and technologies, contribute to real projects, and learn modern development practices. An ideal candidate should be enrolled in a relevant degree program and possess familiarity with software development concepts and tools.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's, Master's, MBA, or PhD program, expected graduation between December 2026 and May 2029.
• Coursework or project experience in software development using any programming language.
• Exposure to front-end or back-end technologies.

Responsibilities

• Support the design, development, testing, and debugging of software.
• Work with a variety of programming languages depending on the project.
• Help build user interfaces or contribute to back-end services and APIs.

Skills

Software development

Cloud computing

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Tools

Git

Docker

Kubernetes

React

REST APIs

Job description

Introduction

A career in IBM Software means you’ll be part of a team that transform our customer’s challenges into solutions. Seeking new possibilities and always staying curious, we are a team dedicated to creating the world’s leading AI-powered, cloud-native software solutions for our customers. Our renowned legacy creates endless global opportunities for our IBMers, so the door is always open for those who want to grow their career.

We are seeking a skilled back-end developer to join our IBM Software team. As part of our team, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining high-quality software products, working with a variety of technologies and programming languages. IBM’s product and technology landscape includes Research, Software, and Infrastructure. Entering this domain positions you at the heart of IBM, where growth and innovation thrive.

Your Role And Responsibilities

We are looking for Software Developer Coop to join our engineering teams. As an intern, you will work alongside experienced IBM developers to design, build, and test software that powers our cloud, AI, and hybrid platform solutions.

This role is designed for students who are passionate about coding—regardless of which programming language they started with. You will gain hands-on experience in real-world projects, learn modern development practices, and collaborate in an Agile environment where your ideas can make an immediate impact.

What You’ll Do

• Support the design, development, testing, and debugging of software in front-end, back-end, or full stack environments.
• Work with a variety of programming languages depending on the project (examples: Python, Java, JavaScript, TypeScript, C++, Go, Rust, Swift, Kotlin, or others)
• Help build user interfaces using frameworks like React or contribute to back-end services and APIs.
• Use Git and other version control and collaboration tools.
• Work with cloud and container technologies such as Docker, Kubernetes, and REST APIs.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, code reviews, and technical discussions.
• Explore emerging technologies, including AI/ML, automation, and cloud-native development.

Preferred Education

Bachelor's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• To be eligible, candidates must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, or PhD program, with an expected graduation date between December 2026 and May 2029.
• Transferable skills are encouraged.
• Coursework or project experience in software development using any programming language.
• Familiarity with fundamental concepts such as data structures, basic algorithms, or debugging.
• Exposure to front-end or back-end technologies (React, Node.js, Python, Java, SQL, etc.).
• Experience using Git or similar version control tools.
• Interest in cloud computing, containers, or modern deployment practices.
• Strong analytical thinking, problem solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate and learn quickly in a team environment.

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

• Experience with cloud services (IBM Cloud, AWS, Azure, or GCP).
• Familiarity with REST APIs and databases (relational or NoSQL).
• Exposure to CI/CD pipelines or automation tools.
• Personal or open-source projects that demonstrate creativity and initiative.
• Understanding of Agile development methods.