Data & Systems Developer InternKPF is a global architecture and urban design firm known for its innovative approach to the built environment. We are committed to integrating cutting-edge technology into our design process, and we are building an internal data and systems capability to enhance how we work, collaborate, and deliver world-class architecture.Role OverviewWe are looking for a curious and motivated Data & Systems Developer Intern to join our technology team for a summer or semester engagement. In this role, you will get hands-on experience building data pipelines, working with APIs, developing lightweight internal tools, and supporting the infrastructure that powers KPF's AI systems.You will work closely with our AI Systems Engineer and Junior Data & Systems Developer, contributing to real projects from day one.
This is not a passive internship — you will write real code, work with real data, and build things that are actually used.You will gain hands-on exposure to AI systems, including large language models, retrieval-augmented generation, vector databases, and agentic tools through direct collaboration with our team. This is a role where you'll build real, marketable AI and data engineering skills on the job.What You'll Work OnData Pipelines & Data ManagementAssist in building and maintaining ETL/ELT data pipelines to collect, transform, and load data from internal and external sourcesHelp clean, validate, and structure data to ensure quality and consistency across systemsWrite SQL queries to extract, transform, and report on data from relational databases (MSSQL, PostgreSQL, MySQL, or similar)Help document data flows, schemas, and pipeline logicAPI IntegrationConnect to and consume REST APIs to pull and process dataAssist in building lightweight Python scripts and integrations to automate data collection workflowsLearn to handle authentication, pagination, rate limiting, and error handling in API integrationsWeb Development & Internal ToolsContribute to simple internal web applications and dashboards built with Flask or FastAPIHelp build basic frontend interfaces (HTML/CSS/JavaScript) to expose data and tools to internal usersCollaborate with team members to understand needs and iterate on practical solutionsCloud & Infrastructure BasicsGet hands-on experience deploying on AWS using core services such as EC2, S3, and RDSLearn to containerize applications using DockerFollow best practices for environment configuration and basic securityAI Systems Exposure (Learning Opportunity)Assist in preparing and structuring data for ingestion into AI and LLM pipelines (e.g., document chunking, metadata tagging, embedding-ready formatting)Help maintain vector store data ingestion workflows (uploading documents, refreshing indexes)Support the team with data tasks related to RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) systemsGain exposure to knowledge bases and structured data sources that feed conversational AI toolsAssist with testing and validating data quality within AI-powered applicationsWhat We're Looking ForMust-HavePython — basic to intermediate proficiency; comfortable writing scripts and small programsSQL — ability to write queries; some experience with relational databasesREST APIs — basic understanding of how APIs work; some experience consuming themGit — basic version control; comfortable committing and collaborating on a shared codebaseCurrently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, or a related fieldNice-to-HaveAny exposure to Flask or FastAPI — even a course project countsBasic familiarity with AWS or any cloud platformSome experience with Docker or containerization conceptsExposure to data visualization tools or libraries (D3, Chart.js, etc.)Basic familiarity with LLMs and AI concepts (embeddings, vector search, RAG)Experience with AI coding tools like Claude Code, Cursor, or GitHub CopilotInterest or background in AEC (Architecture, Engineering & Construction) or creative industriesWhat We're Looking For in a CandidateGenuinely curious and self-motivated — you explore things on your own and enjoy figuring things outNot afraid to ask questions — we'd rather you ask than guessComfortable in a small, collaborative team where everyone's contribution mattersDetail-oriented — you care about getting things right, not just getting them doneAble to communicate clearly with team members, including non-technical colleaguesA builder mindset — you get excited about creating things that solve real problemsPay Range:$22.00 - $25.00 HourlyWhy KPF?Career Growth: Opportunities for training, development, and career progression.Company Culture: Collaborative, high-performance environment with a focus on innovation and excellence.Benefits: Comprehensive health insurance, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k with company matching contributions, paid time off and other perks.To Apply:Applications submitted without a resume will not be considered.KPF is an equal opportunity employer.