At eBay, we’re not just a global e-commerce leader — we are revolutionizing the way the world buys, sells, and connects. Our platform serves millions of buyers and sellers in over 190 markets globally. We’re committed to pushing boundaries and redefining the future of e-commerce. Through innovation and collaboration, eBay enables entrepreneurs and consumers to thrive in an ever-evolving digital marketplace.
Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and we believe in fostering an inclusive culture where diverse ideas and talents can flourish. We’re driven by a shared mission to connect people, build communities, and create economic opportunities for all.
Location: San Jose, CA (Hybrid)
Job Type: Full-Time Internship
Start Date: Summer 2026
Application Deadline: March 31, 2026
Compensation: $57.00–$69.00 / hr
Software Engineering PhD Intern:
We’re looking for passionate Software Engineering PhD Interns to join our NuData team, which is at the forefront of developing the next generation of eBay’s distributed database platform. As part of this team, you’ll help design and implement cutting-edge solutions that support eBay’s global e-commerce infrastructure. This platform powers mission-critical databases across a variety of data types, including document, vector, graph, columnar, and key-value stores, enabling us to scale and deliver across multiple regions.
You’ll work with a talented group of engineers, applying the latest open-source cloud technologies to solve complex technical challenges. If you are a PhD student passionate about distributed systems, scalability, and database architecture, this is an exciting opportunity for you to apply your academic knowledge to real-world problems.
Primary Responsibilities:
As a Software Engineering Intern, you will:
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Collaborate on a world-class team: Work closely with engineers from diverse backgrounds, including teams from the US and China, to build scalable and highly available database systems.
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Develop innovative solutions: Design and implement key features and solutions that support eBay’s next-generation database platforms, focusing on geo-distribution, performance, and availability.
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Full product lifecycle involvement: Contribute from the initial brainstorming sessions to the final production-ready feature. Your work will include building prototypes, proof-of-concepts, and benchmarks.
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Hands-on database work: Design features that directly contribute to eBay’s core database engine and tackle performance, scalability, and fault tolerance issues.
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Explore cutting-edge technologies: Work with open-source technologies in the areas of cloud databases, Hadoop, Kubernetes, and other cutting-edge tools.
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Mentorship and feedback: Gain mentorship from seasoned engineers and engage in an environment that fosters creativity, feedback, and technical growth.
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Focus on quality and automation: Actively contribute to the quality and automation of the software to ensure that the systems we develop are reliable, scalable, and performant.
What We’re Looking For:
We’re looking for PhD students who are passionate, innovative, and driven to make an impact on a global scale. The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications and skills:
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Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a closely related field (graduating between December 2026 and Summer 2028).
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Experience: Up to 3 years of professional or relevant work experience (internships or co-op experiences do not count as professional work experience).
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Technical Skills:
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Strong proficiency in C++, Java, Python, Scala, or JavaScript.
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Solid understanding of object-oriented programming (OOP/OOD), data structures, and algorithms (e.g., dynamic arrays, linked lists, stacks, queues, binary search, trees, hash maps, etc.).
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Experience working with distributed systems, cloud technologies, and cloud databases.
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Hands-on experience with Hadoop, Kubernetes, Docker, and cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure).
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Linux system knowledge.
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Database Expertise: Understanding of database internals (e.g., database engines, query processing, indexing, transaction management) is preferred.
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Problem Solving: Ability to tackle complex challenges, convert abstract concepts into practical solutions, and optimize for scalability, performance, and reliability.
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Collaboration: Comfortable working in teams and contributing to collaborative discussions. Experience working in an Agile/Scrum environment is a plus.
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Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
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A Go-Getter Attitude: Proactive, enthusiastic, and always seeking new opportunities. Be excited to face challenges and contribute to a fast-paced, dynamic team.
Why eBay?
As an intern at eBay, you’ll experience:
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Impact: The opportunity to contribute to technologies that serve millions of people across the globe.
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Innovation: Work on the cutting edge of cloud technologies, distributed systems, and AI-powered tools.
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Professional Growth: Learn from industry leaders and mentors who will guide you through your internship while helping you build valuable skills for your future career.
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Collaboration: Be part of a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative team that encourages innovation, creativity, and out-of-the-box thinking.
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Competitive Compensation: $4,960 – $5,520 bi-weekly (every two weeks), depending on experience, education level, and location.
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Mentorship and Networking: Build lasting connections and relationships within eBay’s global engineering community, and gain exposure to industry experts and leaders.
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Inclusive Culture: At eBay, we embrace diversity and inclusion. We celebrate and respect all differences, and we encourage everyone to bring their authentic selves to work.
How to Apply:
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Application Deadline: March 31, 2026.
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Application Requirements: Please submit one application only for the internship. Duplicate applications will result in an automatic decline.
- APPLY HERE
Equal Opportunity Employer:
eBay is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability, or any other legally protected status.
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