Software Engineer Intern, BCI Applications

About the role

You will collaborate directly with clinical trial participants to understand their needs and translate them into robust brain-computer interface software solutions. You will take ownership of designing, building, and iterating on innovative applications that bring brain control to life for users with paralysis. You will be responsible for implementing new features end-to-end and resolving complex issues that impact the user experience and system reliability. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams including software, design, and neuro-engineering to shape the product roadmap. You will validate your work through testing and feedback from real-world usage in study environments. You will contribute to the development of algorithms that decode brain activity into intuitive user controls. You will play a key role in advancing silent communication and direct AI interaction through brain-driven interfaces.

Key facts

What you'll do

Develop, test, and validate software systems for BCI applications in collaboration with clinical study participants.

Work with cross-functional teams to design new BCI functionalities and novel computer user interfaces that meet high standards of performance.

Partner with study participants to iterate on and refine software features based on direct feedback and real-world usage.

Design and implement algorithms to decode brain activity with an emphasis on accuracy, latency, and usability.

Design user experiences centered around brain control, ensuring accessibility and ease of use for paralyzed individuals.

Lead the creation of innovative applications that expand the capabilities of brain-computer interface technology.

Resolve existing issues in the software stack to enhance functionality, reliability, and overall user satisfaction.

Work closely with engineering and research teams to align software development with scientific and clinical objectives.

Integrate software components with hardware and cloud systems to ensure seamless operation in clinical settings.

Contribute to documentation and knowledge sharing to support long-term maintainability and team scalability.

Requirements

Strong experience with full-stack development including front-end and back-end technologies.

Fluent in programming languages such as Swift, Objective-C, Kotlin or Java for native application development.

Experience in architecting elegant, maintainable, performant and reliable user facing software applications at scale.

Evidence in delivering high-impact projects to users or businesses with clear metrics and a fast iteration cycle.

Evidence of exceptional ability in engineering demonstrated through past work or academic projects.

Strong understanding of engineering first principles and the ability to apply them to solve complex problems.

You are resourceful, flexible, and adaptable; no task is too big or too small in a fast-paced environment.

Excellent communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with multidisciplinary teams and study participants.

Currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science or a related field with a strong academic record.

Demonstrated passion for building systems that impact real users in critical domains such as healthcare and accessibility.

Nice to have

Experience with native desktop, Android, or iOS development using relevant frameworks and tools.

Strong experience in operating system concepts including low latency concurrency programming, memory management, and networking.

Familiarity with brain-computer interface protocols, data streaming, and real-time signal processing.

Experience with machine learning pipelines and integration of ML models into production software.

Knowledge of security and privacy best practices for handling sensitive user data in medical contexts.

Practical notes

This is an internship position based in South San Francisco, California.

The hourly rate is $35 USD based on California law for this location.

Interns may be eligible for benefits after meeting eligibility criteria as defined by company policy.

RSU equity is not provided for interns as noted in the compensation details.

401(k) participation for interns is initially excluded until 1,000 hours of employment are completed.

There is no mention of visa sponsorship or specific deadline details in the provided source.

The role offers a hands-on opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge BCI software systems in a multidisciplinary environment. You will work alongside top researchers and engineers to solve challenging problems in brain control and user experience. The position is aligned with Neuralink's mission to restore autonomy to individuals with paralysis through advanced software technologies. You will gain practical experience in real-time systems, user-centered design, and collaboration with clinical teams. This internship serves as a pathway to full-time opportunities for high-performing interns who demonstrate impact and alignment with company goals. The fast iteration cycle in the BCI Applications team ensures continuous learning and exposure to evolving product requirements. If you are passionate about building software that changes lives and want to work at the forefront of human-machine interaction, this role is a strong fit.