Software Engineer Co-op

Steelhead Technologies; Calumet (MI); On-site; USD 30,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Steelhead Technologies in Calumet, Michigan is hiring a Software Engineer Co-op. You will join a team of five engineers in a face-to-face setting, owning features from requirements through deployment for our ERP used by metal finishing and fabrication shops nationwide.

The stack includes React, Node.js, TypeScript, Postgres and GraphQL. You will influence how features work, collaborate with product teams, and help advance AI-driven capabilities across the development cycle.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a BS in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
• Able to commit to a full-time co-op term (40 hours/week).
• Experience with SQL and data modeling.
• Interest in AI-native development.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Self-directed, action-oriented mindset.

Responsibilities

• Collect requirements from multiple sources to inform feature development.
• Engage in AI-native development using Claude Code or Cursor.
• Collaborate with tech leads on architecture and data model design.
• Support larger efforts through loops and multi-agent collaboration.
• Develop test plans and thoroughly test workflows.
• Gather feedback via operational logs and product metrics.

Skills

SQL

React.js

AI-native development

Communication

Self-directed

Product-focused

Education

Bachelor's degree in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or related field

Tools

GraphQL

AWS

Docker

Datadog

PostgreSQL

Job description

Steelhead Technologies is on a mission to build the ERP that powers manufacturing. Our cloud-based platform is purpose-built for job shops — the powder coaters, platers, anodizers, heat treaters, and fabricators at the heartbeat of manufacturing. We give shops real-time visibility into their operations, eliminate paper-based inefficiencies, and bring AI to the shop floor through features like automated order entry and intelligent reporting.

Our vision is simple: move manufacturing forward. Everything we build is in service of our north star — shops using Steelhead.

Our Values

• Customer Obsession - Create dream outcomes for customers.
• Relentless Curiosity - Understand from first principles.
• Integrity - Everything we do is built on trust.
• Ownership - Success is not an accident
• Conviction - Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

About The Role

Steelhead Technologies is hiring a Software Engineer Co-op. The co-op will be full-time 40 hours/week at our office in Calumet, Michigan. Candidates can apply for a 4-month single semester co-op or an 8-month spring/summer or summer/fall co-op.

You’ll be working on the ERP that runs metal finishing and fabrication shops across the country. Our customers depend on Steelhead to run every part of their business — quoting, work orders, part tracking, inventory, job costing, invoicing. It isn't one tool among many for them; it's the system their entire operation runs on. That raises the stakes and it shortens the feedback loop considerably. Ship something good and you hear about it from the people using it. If something is off you’ll hear about it even faster. Few engineering roles offer that kind of directness.

Our developers sit in the same room, which means questions get answered face-to-face. You’ll join a team of five engineers with a tech lead to help you grow in your role. You'll own features rather than tickets, and you won't wait for permission to take on hard problems. You act as the product manager for what you build. You’ll get requirements from shops using the software through deployment specialists, support, and sales. From there you have a big say in how the feature will work and will direct AI across the whole cycle to get it done.

The stack is React, Node.js, TypeScript, Postgres, and GraphQL. We're based in Calumet, in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Responsibilities

• Collect requirements from multiple sources and assist in development of features
• AI-native development using Claude Code or Cursor
• Work with tech leads on architecture and data model design
• Support the development of larger efforts through loops and multiple agents
• Develop test plans for your feature and thoroughly test different workflows
• Collaborate with QA to work through testing feedback
• Collect feedback through operational logs and product metrics

What We’re Looking For

• Currently pursuing a B.S. in Software Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field
• Available for a full-time co-op term (please note desired dates/duration when applying)
• Coursework or project experience with SQL and data model design
• Interest in or experience with AI-native development
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Action-oriented and self-directed
• Focused on making great product experiences
• Development experience with React.js or a similar web app framework

Nice To Have

• GraphQL experience
• Experience with AI looping
• AWS
• Docker
• DataDog