Software Engineering Intern (Device Team) - Summer 2027 at Relay in Raleigh, NC

Job description

• Relay, a dynamic and rapidly growing tech startup based in Raleigh, NC is on a mission to revolutionize frontline work. For decades, technology has supercharged the desk worker while leaving behind the 80% of the global workforce who don’t sit at a desk. The builders, the caregivers, the operators, the movers—the frontline—still rely on walkie-talkies, paper notes, and shouted instructions.
• At Relay, we believe it’s time for a change. Our smart, rugged radios and connected cloud ecosystem harness the power of voice and AI to close this digital chasm. We’re building tools that meet frontline workers where they are, capturing tribal knowledge, and turning communication into action. By transforming every spoken word into intelligence, we’re delivering safety, productivity, and empowerment to the workers who keep our world moving.
• We are looking for a Software Engineer Intern who is a motivated and ambitious undergraduate (or graduate) student with an expected graduation date of December 2027 or Spring 2028 to join our mobile device product team. This opportunity is a paid internship during the summer 2027. High-performing interns may be considered for full-time roles after graduation, depending on business needs.
• This internship offers a chance to build technology that matters — products that directly empower frontline workers. You'll collaborate with engineers in a high-growth environment, working on custom communication devices at the heart of the Relay platform, from application-layer features to deep OS and hardware integration.
• Interns will gain hands-on experience across the full device stack, from Android application development and OS-level systems programming to embedded firmware and Linux hardware interfaces — contributing to a product that ships to real customers every 6 weeks.
• Summer interns are expected to work full-time in-office during the summer in our amenity-rich, world-class headquarters in Raleigh, NC.
• We work with a diverse set of languages, including C, C++, Java, Kotlin, Rust, and Bash/Python. Our devices run Android on custom in-house hardware, and our development environments are Linux-based. Our culture is based on Impact, Team, and Learning.

Responsibilities

• You'll work on product development for Relay's custom communication devices — Android-based hardware designed entirely in-house. We own the full stack, from hardware to software, and ship updates to customers approximately every 6 weeks. Depending on your background, you'll contribute across one or more layers:
• Android — fix bugs and build new features spanning application development (Kotlin, Java) and OS-level programming, which may touch the Linux Kernel, Java-based frameworks, shell scripts, or C/C++/Rust daemons
• Linux OS — work below the Android layer on operating system tasks and hardware interfaces
• Embedded systems — develop new embedded products or microcontroller firmware that runs inside or alongside existing Relay devices

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Computer Science or related technical field with a GPA of 3.5 or above.
• Strong proficiency in C, Java, or Kotlin. Android/AOSP systems programming experience is a plus but not required — if you're a solid developer with a Linux systems background, you can learn Android.
• Or experience in embedded systems programming — e.g., NRF or ST-based products running Zephyr, ThreadX, or Linux.
• Or experience programming Linux at or below the POSIX API layer, typically in C/C++ (Rust experience is increasingly relevant as AOSP adopts it).
• Or solid experience with scripting languages such as Bash, Python, or similar.
• Familiarity with IP networking concepts (HTTP, TCP/UDP sockets) is preferred.
• Comfort with desktop and server Linux distributions — our development environments and internal tooling are Linux-based.
• An analytical, methodical approach to problem-solving.
• Strong communication skills and a habit of documenting what you build.
• Ability to manage multiple workstreams and self-prioritize.
• Exposure to Agile development practices.
• Genuine curiosity and drive to learn.

Skills

Required

• C
• Java
• Kotlin
• Linux
• Bash
• Python
• C++
• Rust
• Agile development practices

Preferred

• Android/AOSP systems programming