At a Glance
- Tasks: Join an agile team to develop real software products and solve customer problems.
- Company: IBM Hursley, a leading tech company with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Gain hands-on experience, participate in hackathons, and develop professional skills.
- Other info: Diverse environment with opportunities for growth and innovation.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on global software solutions while learning from experienced engineers.
- Qualifications: Pursuing a 2:1 degree or above with a passion for technology and problem-solving.
The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.
Location: Hursley, GBR
Company: IBM
Date: 2026-09-14
Introduction
Join IBM Hursley and help build software used by organisations across the globe. As an Early Careers Software Engineer, you’ll work on real products, contribute to production code, collaborate with experienced engineers, and gain hands-on experience with modern software engineering practices including AI-assisted development, cloud technologies, automation and DevOps.
The IBM Hursley Laboratory is one of IBM's largest software development centres and is home to many of IBM's flagship software products. IBM software helps organisations securely connect applications, move data, automate business processes, and run business-critical workloads across various industries.
These roles are based onsite at IBM Hursley, near Winchester, and require attendance in the office for a minimum of three days per week.
Your role and responsibilities
You’ll be part of an agile software development team where everyone plays an active role in planning, designing, building, testing and improving the software we deliver. From the start of your placement, you’ll be working on real IBM products used by organisations worldwide. You’ll contribute code, participate in technical discussions, help solve customer problems and see your work become part of products used in production environments.
- Software development and feature delivery
- DevOps and Site Reliability Engineering
- Testing and quality engineering
- Cloud-native application development
- Web UI development
- Customer support and technical problem solving
- Automation and developer productivity
- Open source projects and tooling
You may also gain experience with cloud-native development, containers, automation, observability, AI-assisted software engineering and modern software delivery practices alongside IBM enterprise platforms. We value the fresh ideas and perspectives our placement students bring and encourage experimentation, innovation and continuous learning.
Throughout your placement, you’ll work alongside experienced engineers, architects and technical specialists who will support your development and help you build both technical and professional skills. You’ll also have opportunities to participate in hackathons, AI innovation challenges, technical communities and cross-team projects that help you expand your network, develop new skills and make a real impact.
AI and Emerging Technology
AI is transforming how software is built across IBM. Many teams use AI-powered tools to improve productivity, generate code, create tests, analyse defects and accelerate software development. Some teams are also building AI-powered capabilities directly into IBM products. An interest in Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI, machine learning or data-driven software development would be beneficial, although prior experience is not required.
Required technical and professional expertise
- Be on track to achieve a 2:1 degree or above
- Be eligible to undertake a 12-month placement as part of your university degree
- Be authorised to work in the UK for the duration of the placement
Preferred technical and professional experience
We’re looking for enthusiastic and motivated students who enjoy technology, solving problems and learning new skills.
- Experience with software development through university projects, personal projects, work experience or open source contributions
- Strong problem-solving and analytical skills
- Good coding ability and a desire to develop high-quality software
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- The ability to work effectively as part of a global team
- Curiosity, initiative and a willingness to learn new technologies
- An interest in modern software engineering practices and emerging technologies
Experience in some of the following areas would be beneficial:
- Java
- Python
- C/C++
- JavaScript or TypeScript
- Operating systems and platform technologies, such as Linux, Windows, z/OS or cloud-based environments
- Git and GitHub
- Containers and cloud-native technologies
- DevOps and automation tools
- Asynchronous software development
- Open source technologies
We do not expect candidates to have experience with all of these technologies. We’re looking for people with strong technical foundations, a passion for technology and a willingness to learn.
IBM is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, caste, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, veteran status, or other characteristics. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.
Software Developer Intern 2027 (12 month Placement) employer: IBM
IBM is an exceptional employer for a Senior AI Data Scientist, offering a dynamic work environment that fosters innovation and collaboration. With a strong emphasis on mentorship and professional growth, employees are encouraged to develop their skills while working on impactful AI projects that serve both public and private sectors. The flexible hybrid work model in the UK further enhances work-life balance, making IBM a desirable place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Software Developer Intern 2027 (12 month Placement)
✨Get Involved with Open Source Projects
Diving into open source is a fantastic way to showcase your skills and build a solid portfolio that speaks volumes. Contributing to projects on platforms like GitHub not only helps you learn, but it puts your work in front of potential employers, including places like IBM!
✨Attend Hackathons and Tech Meetups
Jumping into hackathons or local tech meetups can give you great exposure to the industry. Not only do you get to network with like-minded individuals, but you might even catch the attention of recruiters from companies like IBM while collaborating on exciting projects.
✨Leverage University Career Services
Don’t underestimate the power of your university's career services! They often have connections with companies looking for placement candidates like us. They can guide you on preparing for interviews and even help set up networking events.
✨Show Off Your Projects on Your Personal Website
Create a portfolio website to showcase your coding projects and development skills. This is a brilliant way to give a peek into your personality and capabilities while letting potential employers like IBM see your work up close. Plus, it shows you're proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Software Developer Intern 2027 (12 month Placement)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Projects:In software engineering, showcasing your portfolio is key! Include links to GitHub repositories or any relevant projects you've worked on. This will give us a clear idea of your coding skills and what you can bring to IBM.
Highlight Relevant Skills:Make sure to emphasise programming languages, frameworks, and tools you’re familiar with on your CV. For a placement, we love seeing candidates who are eager to learn and adapt, so don’t hesitate to include any relevant coursework or certifications you’ve completed.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a placement with IBM specifically. Tell us what you hope to learn and how we fit into your career goals—not just what you can do for us, but what you want to gain from the experience.
Be Ready to Talk Tech:Prepare for the possibility of a technical assessment or interview. Brush up on coding challenges and be ready to discuss your approach to problem-solving. Remember, we are looking for your thought process and ability to learn, not just the correct answer!
How to prepare for a job interview at IBM
✨Brush Up on Your Coding Skills
For a software engineering placement at IBM, be ready to tackle coding challenges. You might face questions on algorithms, data structures, or even a live coding session. Practising on platforms like LeetCode or HackerRank can really sharpen your skills and boost your confidence!
✨Showcase Your Projects
Have a couple of your projects on hand to discuss during the interview. Whether it's a personal project or something from your coursework, being able to explain your thought process, the technologies you used, and any challenges you faced can make a great impression. Be prepared to dive into the specifics and even share your GitHub link!
✨Understand the Tech Stack
Make sure you're familiar with the technologies and tools that IBM uses. If you see mentions of specific languages or frameworks in the job description, brush up on them. This shows your enthusiasm and preparedness for the role, making you a more attractive candidate!
✨Be Ready to Learn and Adapt
As this is a placement, the hiring team at IBM will be keen to hear about your motivation and potential to grow. Be open about what you want to learn from the role. Highlight experiences where you've adapted to new situations or picked up new skills quickly to showcase your enthusiasm for the opportunity.
