Software Engineering AI Internship in Columbia, Maryland at Cogent People Inc

Employment Type: Paid Internship (Temporary, W2 position with Cogent People Inc.) This is a paid internship opportunity and is not eligible for company-sponsored benefits.

Location: Hybrid

Work Authorization Requirements

Candidates must have lived in the United States for at least 3 of the past 5 years and must be authorized to work in the U.S. as a U.S. Citizen, Permanent Resident, or valid EAD holder.

This position is not eligible for work authorization sponsorship now or in the future, including H-1B sponsorship.

Clearance Requirement: Public Trust Clearance required or ability to obtain.

About Cogent People Inc.

Cogent People Inc. is a government consulting and technology services firm supporting federal and commercial organizations through innovative business and technology solutions.

Our teams thrive in a collaborative environment focused on learning, professional growth, innovation, and operational excellence.

Internship Overview

Cogent People Inc. is seeking a motivated individual interested in gaining practical experience in Software Engineering while supporting the development of AI solutions for healthcare data analytics within a major federal healthcare modernization program.

This internship provides an exciting opportunity to contribute to mission-critical systems that leverage AI to improve outcomes across the healthcare landscape. Interns will gain hands-on experience working alongside experienced engineers throughout the full software development lifecycle in an agile environment.

The ideal candidate is currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Computer Science, Applied Mathematics, Artificial Intelligence, Data Science, Software Engineering, or a related field and is interested in launching a career in AI-focused software engineering. Candidates should demonstrate foundational knowledge of AI frameworks and development tools through academic, personal, or project-based experience.

Responsibilities

• Support the design and development of AI-powered healthcare data analytics solutions across the software development lifecycle, including design, implementation, testing, and deployment
• Work under the guidance of experienced engineers to analyze requirements, contribute to solution design, and implement features using AI-based tools and traditional development practices
• Write clean, maintainable, and well-documented code using Python, TypeScript, and SQL
• Participate in agile ceremonies including daily stand-ups, sprint planning, backlog grooming, and retrospectives
• Assist with debugging, troubleshooting, testing, and performance improvements
• Conduct research and experimentation related to AI technologies, frameworks, and tools
• Collaborate with cross-functional team members in a fast-paced and mission-driven environment

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Computer Science, Information Systems, Data Science, Applied Mathematics, Software Engineering, or a related field
• Familiarity with Python and AI-related frameworks or libraries such as Pandas, NumPy, or LangChain
• General understanding of Large Language Models (LLMs), Agentic AI concepts, and Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG)
• Familiarity with relational databases and SQL
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a team environment
• Strong attention to detail and willingness to learn new technologies and tools

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with AWS cloud services
• Academic, personal, or project-based experience developing AI-related applications or solutions
• Exposure to software engineering best practices, version control, or agile methodologies
• Highly motivated, goal-oriented, and eager to learn in a professional environment

Why Cogent People Inc.?

At Cogent People, we foster a collaborative, growth-driven environment where innovation thrives. You’ll be part of a team supporting meaningful technology initiatives while gaining hands-on experience with modern AI and healthcare data solutions.

We offer:

• Paid internship experience
• Hands-on learning opportunities
• Mentorship from experienced engineering professionals
• Exposure to healthcare IT and federal technology modernization initiatives
• Professional development and networking opportunities
• A collaborative and supportive workplace culture

As a Certified Great Place to Work, we prioritize employee satisfaction and provide a supportive, inclusive culture where every team member is valued and empowered to succeed.

Internship Terms

• This is a temporary paid internship position
• Interns are not eligible for company-sponsored benefits
• Internship duration: [Insert timeframe – e.g., 8 weeks, 10 weeks, or 12 weeks]
• Work schedule: [Insert hours per week]

Compliance Notice

Cogent People Inc. conducts employment verification for all candidates. Misrepresentation of work authorization, residency history, or professional experience may result in disqualification.

We do not engage third-party recruiters for this role unless explicitly stated.

EEO Employer

Cogent People Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability status, or any other status protected by law.