Intern - IT Software Engineer - R&D Innovation Focus

Nelnet•Lincoln, NE

20h

About The Position

Our Vision: We make dreams possible. Yes, we’re a student loan servicer. We’re also a technology company, idea incubator, start-up accelerator, and K-12 and higher education expert. At Nelnet, we’re so much more than what you think—and we’re just getting started. So, no matter what you want to do in life—build codes or build brands—we’re the best place to do it. Join Nelnet as an intern and do real work that matters to our business. All Nelnet interns receive one-on-one mentorship, competitive pay, casual dress, flexible schedule, intern-specific programming, and meaningful work experience. Apply to one of our internships today. Your career awaits. Software Engineer Interns will support Nelnet’s Technology Diversification and Rapid Innovation Pod. As part of a broader technology strategy, the Tech Diversification group is evaluating the technical requirements necessary to deploy AI-assisted and pre-built applications into secure enterprise environments. This initiative focuses on backend systems, enterprise integrations, DevOps automation, and responsible AI-enabled development practices. As an IT Software Engineer Intern – R&D Innovation Focus, you will research, evaluate, test, analyze, and document engineering approaches related to backend service development, build automation, CI/CD workflows, Git-based source control practices, containerization, and deployment strategies across both on-premise and cloud-based environments. Under the guidance of senior engineers, you will assist in assessing how AI-generated and rapid-development applications can be securely validated, integrated, deployed, and maintained in alignment with enterprise standards for security, compliance, and operational reliability. Interns will contribute meaningfully to a cross-functional team focused on developing new technology capabilities and evaluating potential business solutions. This role provides structured exposure to enterprise software engineering processes while supporting research and documentation of emerging development methodologies.

Requirements

Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field.
Foundational knowledge of one or more modern programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C#, JavaScript/TypeScript, Go, or similar).
Ability to write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code.
Basic understanding of Git version control.
Familiarity with REST APIs and backend development concepts.
Understanding of basic DevOps concepts such as build, deploy, and CI/CD.
Familiarity with cloud service platforms such as AWS, Google Cloud Platform (GCP), or Microsoft Azure.
Familiarity with container-based environments.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Exposure to backend frameworks or server-side development.
Experience with GitHub or other Git-based systems.
Familiarity with Docker or container-based environments.
Exposure to deploying or configuring services in AWS, Google Cloud, or Azure environments.
Interest in AI-assisted development tools and emerging software engineering practices.
Experience working on academic, open-source, or personal coding projects.

Responsibilities

Assist in developing and maintaining backend services using modern programming languages.
Support implementation of APIs and system integrations.
Participate in Git-based workflows including branching, pull requests, and code reviews.
Assist with configuration and validation of CI/CD pipelines.
Support containerization efforts (e.g., Docker) and environment setup activities.
Contribute to testing activities, including unit and integration test development.
Participate in evaluation and validation of AI-assisted code under supervision.
Document findings related to engineering practices, deployment procedures, and system integration requirements.
Assist with deployment activities in development and test environments.
Support analysis of on-premise and cloud deployment considerations.
Gain exposure to cloud service configuration and basic infrastructure concepts.