AI Developer Intern

Bird Rock Systems•San Diego, CA

7d•Hybrid

About The Position

Bird Rock Systems is building an applied AI practice and seeks junior AI developers eager to learn, build, experiment, and grow. This is a hands-on, learn-by-building internship rather than an observational role. Interns will work alongside other early-career developers and receive mentorship from the AI Architect, with opportunities to take on increasingly challenging work and responsibility as their skills develop. The role involves contributing to AI-enabled software, prototyping solutions, and participating in real customer and internal projects. Interns will learn how AI applications are designed, built, deployed, operated, monitored, troubleshot, and improved. The position is hybrid, with approximately 10–20 hours per week and consistent availability during normal weekday business hours required. Scheduling can accommodate academic commitments. Candidates must be based in San Diego or Orange County and may be asked to come to the San Diego office at the manager’s discretion. Expected pay is $25 per hour.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in the final year of a bachelor’s program, recently graduated, or equivalent hands-on experience in computer science, software engineering, data science, or a related technical field.
Solid programming fundamentals in a language such as Python, JavaScript/TypeScript, C#, or Java.
Familiarity with Git and GitHub.
Basic understanding of large language models (LLMs) and enthusiasm for building software with them.
Some exposure to machine learning, model building, data platforms, cloud computing, or AI application development through coursework, personal projects, research, hackathons, or internships.
Willingness to work in Azure and/or GCP, even without extensive prior experience.
Ability to investigate problems, try solutions, ask questions, and persist when answers are not obvious.
Consistent availability during normal weekday business hours for collaborative development, mentorship, and project work.
Must be based in San Diego or Orange County.

Nice To Haves

Experience experimenting with models, embeddings, RAG, agents, data pipelines, or cloud services.
Independent AI projects, personal GitHub projects, or experience using an LLM API to build applications beyond a basic chatbot.
Evidence of self-directed learning, experimentation, and a strong interest in AI and software engineering.

Responsibilities

Build software applications and services incorporating large language models and generative AI.
Prototype AI solutions and help turn promising prototypes into working applications.
Work with APIs, structured and unstructured data, and modern AI development frameworks.
Assist with development and DevOps activities in Azure and/or Google Cloud Platform (GCP).
Use Git and GitHub in a collaborative software development workflow.
Learn and contribute to deploying, monitoring, troubleshooting, and improving AI-enabled applications.
Work closely with another junior developer to solve problems, learn, and progress together.
Participate in customer and internal projects as capabilities grow.