Software Development Engineer Intern

McDonald's Corporation • Chicago, IL

2d • Onsite

About The Position

The Software Development Engineer Intern will join McDonald’s Commercial Products & Platforms organization, which develops global technology products and platforms for customers and restaurant crews. Following initial training, the intern will join a full-time team and may be assigned to a squad focused on frontend development, digital backend systems, restaurant technology, or a related area. The internship offers a flexible work environment and programming that includes executive speaker sessions, learning sessions, peer lunches, and employee business network events. Interns also receive early access to full-time post-graduation opportunities.

This is a 10-week, full-time internship based at McDonald’s global headquarters in downtown Chicago, running June 7, 2027 through August 13, 2027. Candidates must be willing to relocate to the Chicagoland area for the internship if applicable. A housing stipend is offered. Applicants must be authorized to work in the U.S. and not require visa sponsorship for the internship or future employment. The role pays $32 per hour and is eligible for benefits. Interns may participate in the Summer Hours program.

Requirements

• Be a junior pursuing a bachelor's degree, with an expected graduation date in Fall 2027 or Spring 2028.
• Have programming experience in at least one modern language such as Java, Python, C++, or C#, including object-oriented design.
• Have experience with optimization mathematics, such as linear programming and nonlinear optimization.
• Demonstrate strong analytical skills, including the ability to work with data, identify trends and patterns, and translate findings into actionable technical solutions.
• Adapt communication skills to the audience.
• Be committed to a culture of inclusiveness.
• Be authorized to work in the U.S. without requiring visa sponsorship for the internship or future employment.
• Be willing to relocate to the Chicagoland area for the internship if applicable.

Nice To Haves

• Pursuing a preferred major such as Computer Science, Computer Programming, CIS, Computer Engineering, or another technology-related degree.
• Proficiency in leveraging AI to solve engineering and non-engineering problems.
• Involvement in campus organizations, leadership positions, or work experience in technology-related roles.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate on, design, and bring innovative products and services to market.
• Design and build technologies in a large, distributed computing environment.
• Create solutions for running predictions on distributed systems.
• Build scalable, fault-tolerant, low-cost, easy-to-manage distributed storage, indexing, and query systems.
• Design and code solutions to broadly defined problems.
• Work in an agile environment to deliver high-quality software.
• Contribute to product features from beginning to end.
• Design, implement, test, deploy, and maintain software solutions that improve service performance, durability, cost, and security.
• Work in a startup-like development environment and focus on meaningful priorities.

Benefits

• Housing stipend
• Health insurance, including medical, prescription drug, and mental health coverage
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Life insurance
• Flexible work arrangements
• Tuition assistance
• Sabbatical program
• Eligibility to participate in the Summer Hours program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Intern