Backend Engineering Intern

Essential Duties:

The Backend Engineering Intern supports the RAD team by contributing to internal tooling, engineering infrastructure, and operational improvements for software systems that power Redwood Materials' manufacturing operations. The intern will work on dashboards, CI/CD automation, bug fixes, and other engineering tasks that support the team's core platform work. This is a hands-on role with mentorship from senior engineers, providing real experience with production systems in an industrial environment. This is a Summer 2026 position.

Responsibilities Will Include:

• Build and improve internal dashboards and visibility tooling for engineering and operations
• Improve CI/CD pipelines — fix flaky tests, reduce build times, add missing automation
• Write backend code in Python (FastAPI) for bug fixes, small features, and internal tools
• Troubleshoot on-site hardware and software issues (iPads, kiosks, connected devices)
• Participate in code reviews, team standups, and engineering discussions
• Document undocumented systems and capture tribal knowledge
• Use AI coding tools to accelerate your own learning and reduce ramp-up time

Desired Qualifications:

• Currently pursuing a BS or MS in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field
• Preference for candidates with a background in mechanical and physical sciences to support work at the hardware–software interface
• Familiarity with Python and interest in backend/systems development
• Exposure to web frameworks (FastAPI, Flask, Django, or similar)
• Basic understanding of relational databases (PostgreSQL preferred)
• Familiarity with version control (git)
• Ability to read and understand existing codebases, not just write from scratch
• Interest in how software supports physical operations (manufacturing, logistics, supply chain)
• Enthusiasm for AI-assisted development — willingness to use LLMs and AI coding tools to accelerate learning, explore unfamiliar codebases, and unblock yourself before escalating to the team
• Strong problem-solving skills and willingness to ask questions
• Comfortable working in a terminal/command-line environment
• Exposure to cloud infrastructure (AWS) or containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is a plus but not required

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to work in an office environment for extended periods
• Occasional visits to manufacturing floor may be required (PPE provided)
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken English.

Working Conditions:

• Primarily office setting at BMC1 facility on USA Parkway, Nevada
• Standard business hours
• Some exposure to manufacturing environment during site visits or operational shadowing

The location of the internship is in the Reno, Nevada area (exact location is based on team placement). Interns are responsible for making their own housing and transportation arrangements. Please note that due to the location of our campuses, public transit options are limited, and the use of a personal or rented vehicle is recommended.