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Unpaid Software Internships Jobs (NOW HIRING)

GreenSand AI

$80 - $100/hr

AI Software Engineering/Research Internship (unpaid) Location: Remote (U.S. based preferred) Type: Part-time, (flexible # of hours/week, whatever works for you, it is not expected to be more than 20 ...

GreenSand AI

$80 - $100/hr

AI Software Engineering/Research Internship (unpaid) Location: Remote (U.S. based preferred) Type ... Unpaid internship with potential conversion to full-time position with significant equity and/or ...

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How much do unpaid software internships jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for unpaid software internships in the United States is $22.89, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.51 and $24.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an unpaid software internship?

Unpaid software internships are temporary positions offered by companies or organizations where interns gain practical experience in software development without receiving monetary compensation. These internships typically allow students or recent graduates to work on real-world projects, learn from experienced professionals, and build their portfolios. While unpaid, they can provide valuable networking opportunities, mentorship, and a chance to develop skills relevant to a career in software engineering. However, candidates should carefully consider the legal and ethical implications, as well as ensure the internship offers meaningful learning experiences rather than just free labor.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an unpaid software intern?

To thrive as an Unpaid Software Intern, you need foundational programming skills, familiarity with software development principles, and ideally enrollment in a computer science or related degree program. Experience with version control systems like Git, exposure to coding languages such as Python or Java, and knowledge of collaborative tools like Jira or Trello are commonly expected. Initiative, willingness to learn, effective communication, and adaptability are soft skills that help interns integrate and contribute to teams. These skills ensure you can quickly acquire new technical abilities, collaborate effectively, and make a meaningful impact even in a learning-focused role.

What are some effective ways to make the most out of an unpaid software internship experience?

An unpaid software internship can be a valuable starting point for your career if you actively seek learning opportunities and build professional relationships. Take initiative by asking for challenging tasks, volunteering for projects, and requesting feedback from your mentors. Regularly document your work and accomplishments, as these can be showcased in your portfolio or resume. Additionally, network with team members and participate in code reviews or meetings to gain broader industry insights and potential future job referrals.

What is the difference between Unpaid Software Internships vs Paid Software Internships?

AspectUnpaid Software InternshipsPaid Software Internships
CompensationNo monetary paymentSalary or stipend provided
Work EnvironmentTypically in startups, non-profits, or educational settingsIn corporate offices or established tech companies
Required CredentialsUsually students or entry-level candidatesSimilar, often requiring some coursework or basic skills
Industry UsageCommon for gaining experience and networkingOften a pathway to full-time employment

Unpaid Software Internships offer valuable experience without monetary compensation, often in startup or non-profit environments. Paid Software Internships provide financial benefits and may lead to full-time roles. Both serve as stepping stones in a software career, but paid positions typically offer more formal training and industry recognition.

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Unpaid Software Internships jobs near you
Infographic showing various Unpaid Software Internships job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,621 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

AI Software Engineering/Research Internship (unpaid)

On-site

GreenSand AI
See more jobs at GreenSand AIexternal

$80 - $100/hr

Other

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

AI Software Engineering/Research Internship (unpaid)

Location: Remote (U.S. based preferred) Type: Part-time, (flexible # of hours/week, whatever works for you, it is not expected to be more than 20 hours/week) Duration: Up to 3 months Compensation: Unpaid internship with potential conversion to full-time position with significant equity and/or competitive salary.

About Us

Inaccuracies (bias, hallucination, non‑determinism, etc.) from AI models, stemming from flawed data, imperfect prompts, or misinterpretations, can cause significant harm and erode trust across many industries. The impact ranges from just not quite correct and inconvenience in less critical applications to serious financial losses, safety risks, legal liability, and discrimination in high‑stakes fields like healthcare, finance, and autonomous vehicles. In an enterprise, a minor error/deviation at each step in a multi‑step agentic workflow can lead to a huge drift from the expected final outcome.

We are an early‑stage AI startup assembling a world‑class team to shape the future of robust AI. We are researching, experimenting, and developing practical solutions to make AI applications robust. Currently, we are a small team of experienced engineers and researchers passionate about making AI usable in mission critical applications. If the problem resonates with you, and you want to be part of the team, join us.

This is your chance to learn practical software engineering at a potentially high‑growth AI startup.

Who you are
  • CS major.
  • Experience/interest in the latest AI technologies (e.g. LLMs, Agents, RAG, MCP, and Prompt Engineering).
  • Exceptional core CS skills related to data structures, algorithms, and programming.
  • Experience in at least one of the major cloud providers such as: AWS, GCP, Azure, etc., preferably in GCP.
What will you be doing

Do some research and develop proof of concepts for frontend and backend AI systems through mentorship from senior engineers, self‑learning, and exposure to real use cases and tools.

A likely project is going to be to build AI/LLM systems to efficiently analyze large (contract) documents for various kinds of clauses (e.g. entitlements, obligations, risks), and structured fields with 95%+ accuracy, completeness, and determinism.

What We Offer
  • Opportunity to learn by working on practical software development projects in the field of AI.
  • Collaborative environment with significant autonomy.
  • The company may provide feedback or a completion acknowledgment upon request, reflecting the educational nature of this program.
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