Machine Learning Internship Summer 2027

About CoVar

CoVar is a small, mission-driven AI/ML R&D software company based in Durham, NC and McLean, VA. We build advanced software and machine learning systems that help the DoW detect threats in high-stakes environments and enable biomedical researchers to accelerate discoveries that save lives. Our team is composed of curious, passionate engineers who care deeply about using AI to solve real-world problems that matter.

• Internship Overview
• 8-12 weeks – flexible, depending on your schedule
• In-person in Durham, NC
• Competitively paid internship
• Matched with one project based on your current expertise and interests
• Paired with an advisor or project lead who will guide you and help you set and meet your goals
• Concludes with you presenting your work either internally to CoVar or externally to the customer
• Interview Timeline
• Accepting applications online from now to mid-November 2026
• Interviews starting in September 2026
• Interview steps consist of a video screening and a code screening
• Offers out by end of November 2026

About the position

You will help

• CoVar develop software and machine learning algorithms to solve real-world customer problems.

You will

• work with data, develop algorithms, evaluate results, and write the production code that goes onto real-world systems. You may have the opportunity to present your work to high-level customer s in the Do
• W and in the industry.

Qualifications

• Applicants should have e xpertise in P ython
• (including
• NumPy, pandas
• , and other packages) and
• P y
• T orch.
• Deep understanding of machine learning fundamentals (gradient descent, cross-validation, ROC curves, confusion matrices) are necessary.
• Knowledge of classical machine learning (e.g., support-vector-machines, logistic regression) are valued.
• Applicants are ideally familiar with some computer vision algorithms
• (e.g., for object classification
• (
• ResNet, ResNext
• ), object detection (e.g., YOLO, CenterNet
• ), or image segmentatio n
• ) and
• /or other modern image processing AI/ML techniques
• (vision image transformers, vision language models, etc.).
• Previous experience with Do
• W customers is a plus.

Minimum qualifications

• Software expertise: Python and associated numerical and analytics packages (
• NumPy, pandas
• , etc.); git; PyTorch.
• AI/ML expertise: Machine learning fundamentals; D eep knowledge of state of the art in any of the following
• : computer vision
• (preferred)
• , natural language processing, classical machine learning, Bayesian models, etc.
• Pursuing B.S., preferably M.S. or Ph.D in engineering, math, computer science, or related field
• Excellent technical communication skills
• Ability to work in Durham, NC (relocation assistance available)
• Work authorization: US citizen
• Bonus skills
• Department of War project experience