Software Engineer Intern, Winter Co-op
Software Engineer Intern · Intern · Internship
Opens Zip's application page
Role
What you'll do.
Join Zip's engineering team as a Software Engineer Intern during Winter Co-op 2027, working on enterprise procurement AI platform features shipped by day one. This internship offers hands-on experience building scalable full-stack applications with Python, TypeScript/React, and GraphQL, mentored by product leaders from Apple, Airbnb, and Meta in a fast-paced startup environment processing over $500 billion in annual spend.
Responsibilities
- Design and build reliable products: Architect and implement highly reliable and resilient products and features for Zip's enterprise procurement platform, following industry best practices for system design and fault tolerance.
- Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with cross-functional product and customer-facing teams to understand procurement requirements and ship thoughtful solutions that drive user value and business outcomes.
- Write maintainable code: Develop high-quality, extensible, and maintainable code that adheres to Zip's engineering standards and can be easily understood and extended by team members.
- Build scalable frontend applications: Design and implement scalable frontend applications and components using React and TypeScript, ensuring responsive user interfaces and optimal performance across Zip's platform.
- Develop APIs and integrations: Design and build APIs using GraphQL and Python to drive existing and new features for Zip's web-based procurement application, enabling seamless integration with enterprise systems and suppliers.
- Participate in real projects: Contribute to impactful projects from day one, such as AI-powered features, infrastructure tooling, and product enhancements that are actively used by engineering and customer teams across Zip.
Qualifications
What we look for.
Technical
Web application development
Demonstrated experience building and deploying web applications, with understanding of frontend and backend architecture patterns.
API development experience
Hands-on experience designing and implementing RESTful or GraphQL APIs that power modern web applications.
Python proficiency
Solid working knowledge of Python for backend development, including familiarity with common libraries and frameworks used in web applications.
JavaScript/TypeScript
Competence with JavaScript or TypeScript for both frontend and backend development, with understanding of asynchronous programming patterns.
React framework
Experience building UI components and applications using React, including state management and component lifecycle management.
Quick learning ability
Demonstrated ability to rapidly learn and apply new frameworks, architectural patterns, and programming languages as required by project needs.
Problem-solving skills
Strong analytical and debugging skills with ability to approach complex technical challenges methodically and creatively.
Education
BS/MS in Computer Science or related field
Currently pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics, or related technical field with significant coding component.
Expected graduation date
Expected graduation date between April 2027 and May 2028, allowing for winter co-op participation starting January 2027.
Experience
Prior startup internship experience
Previous internship or work experience in a high-growth startup environment, demonstrating ability to adapt to fast-paced settings and ownership mentality.
Communication skills
Fantastic written and verbal communication skills with ability to articulate technical concepts clearly and collaborate effectively across teams.
Skills
Required
Python
Backend programming language used across Zip's core infrastructure and API development.
JavaScript/TypeScript
Primary language for Zip's frontend and full-stack development work.
React
Frontend framework used to build Zip's user-facing applications and components.
GraphQL
Query language and API technology used for Zip's data layer and service integrations.
Full-stack web development
Ability to work across the entire stack, from frontend UI to backend services and databases.
Git and version control
Proficiency with Git for collaborative code management and deployment workflows.
API design
Understanding of API design principles, RESTful conventions, and GraphQL best practices.
Preferred
AWS cloud platform
Nice to haveExperience with AWS services, cloud infrastructure, and containerization technologies for modern application deployment.
Generative AI integration
Nice to haveFamiliarity with integrating or working with AI/ML models and generative AI libraries within applications.
DevOps and infrastructure
Nice to haveBasic understanding of CI/CD pipelines, containerization with Docker, and infrastructure-as-code principles.
SQL and databases
Nice to haveExperience with relational databases and writing efficient SQL queries for data operations.
Code quality practices
Nice to haveFamiliarity with testing frameworks, code review processes, and best practices for maintainable codebases.
Tech stack
Languages
Frameworks
Databases
Tools
Other
Compensation
Pay and benefits.
Base·CAD 103,600 – 108,160
Benefits
Catered meals
Complimentary catered breakfasts, lunches, and dinners provided daily to support nutrition and team connectivity.
Team building and social events
Regular team building events and happy hours fostering culture, collaboration, and networking within the engineering organization.
Premium equipment
Apple MacBook and modern development equipment provided to ensure optimal engineering productivity and comfort.
Mentorship and professional development
Access to real mentorship from experienced engineers and product leaders from top companies like Apple, Airbnb, and Meta who invest in intern growth and career development.
Hands-on project experience
Opportunity to ship real features used by both internal engineering teams and external customers from day one, building meaningful portfolio experience.
Toronto office location
Work in Zip's Toronto office providing access to vibrant tech ecosystem and networking opportunities in Canada's startup hub.
Process
Interview steps.
- 01
Application submission
Submit your resume, cover letter, and links to GitHub repositories or personal projects demonstrating your software engineering capabilities and full-stack development experience.
- 02
Initial screening
Recruiter phone or video call to discuss your background, motivation for joining Zip, and alignment with the winter co-op program requirements and timeline.
- 03
Technical assessment
Coding challenge or pair programming session evaluating your proficiency with JavaScript/TypeScript, Python, and ability to solve algorithmic problems typical of Zip's full-stack development work.
- 04
Engineering team interview
Technical interview with Zip engineering team members covering system design, API architecture, and discussion of previous projects you've built or contributed to.
- 05
Product and culture fit conversation
Conversation with engineering manager or team lead assessing communication skills, ownership mentality, and cultural fit with Zip's fast-paced startup values and underdog mindset.
- 06
Offer and onboarding
Successful candidates receive offer letter with co-op start date (January 2027), onboarding timeline, and logistics for joining the Toronto office.
Full posting
Original listing.
About Zip
Zip is the AI platform for enterprise procurement — built for humans and agents working together. By orchestrating procurement across teams, tools, and suppliers with the help of AI agents, companies can secure the resources they need to innovate faster than ever before.
The world’s most influential enterprises trust Zip, including T-Mobile, OpenAI, AMD, Mars, Dollar Tree, and more. Together they’ve saved over $8 billion and processed over $500 billion in spend. Zip’s team includes product leaders from Apple, Airbnb, and Meta, as well as former procurement leaders from United Health, Sanofi, MGM Resorts, Discover, and NASA.
Backed by Adams Street, Alkeon, BOND, CRV, DST, Tiger Global, and Y Combinator, Zip has raised $371 million, most recently at a $2.2 billion valuation and has been recognized by Forbes Fintech 50, Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies, Inc. Best in Business, and LinkedIn Top Startups.
Your Role
As a Software Engineer Intern, you will be shown how to build Zip’s core products and architecture alongside our engineering team. You'll ship features our users rely on from day one, working with a tight-knit team that values open communication and moves fast on complex technical and product challenges.
We'll invest in your growth with real mentorship and context along the way. In return, we're looking for interns who are curious, ready to dig into complex problems, and excited to take ownership as they grow into them.
This co-op is based in our Toronto office, starting January 2027. We'll begin recruiting for this role in September, we can't wait to meet you!
Previous interns have worked on
AI assistant bot: a bot that uses generative AI to aggregate info from various sources (e.g. google doc, notion, Slack, Zip help site) and generate answers - it’s now actively used by both engineering and customer teams at Zip
Devbox: building a prototype that bootstraps the development environment in AWS cloud for all zip engineers - this project is now being used by 80+ engineers
Virtual Card Auto Lock: a feature that automatically locks virtual cards based on various policies, such as after a certain expiration date, when reported lost, or in the event of an overdraft. This feature, along with a self-serve onboarding tool, is now live in our virtual card product
You Will
Design and build highly reliable and resilient products and features
Work closely with cross-functional product and customer-facing teams to understand requirements and ship thoughtful solutions
Write high-quality, extensible, and maintainable code
Design and build scalable frontend applications and components
Design and build APIs to drive existing and new features for a web-based application
Qualifications
Pursuing a BS or MS in Computer Science or a related technical field involving coding (e.g. physics or math), with an expected graduation date between April 2027 - May 2028
Experience with web applications and API development. At Zip, our stack includes Python, Javascript/TypeScript, React, and GraphQL
Ability and interest to quickly learn new frameworks, architecture patterns, and programming languages as needed
Fantastic written and verbal communication skills
Prior internship in a high-growth startup environment
Perks & Benefits
At Zip, we’re committed to providing our employees with everything they need to do their best work
🍽️ Catered breakfasts, lunches & dinners
🚠 Team building events & happy hours
💻 Apple equipment
The estimated hourly pay range for this role is CA$50 - CA$52.
We're looking to hire Zipsters and that means hiring people who take ownership, communicate openly, have an underdog mindset, and are excited to increase the pace of innovation for every business in the world. We encourage all candidates to apply even if your experience doesn't exactly match up to our job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workspace where everyone (regardless of age, religion, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and more) feels like they belong. We look forward to hearing from you!
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