---
title: 'Machine Learning Internship Summer 2027 at CoVar'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-internship-summer-2027-covar-durham-3rk1h6avbp1m'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-23'
---

# Machine Learning Internship Summer 2027 at CoVar

- **Company:** CoVar
- **Location:** Durham, NC
- **Posted:** 2026-09-16
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-23
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/covar/jobs/5240360007

## Job description

## 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 customers in the DoW and in the industry.

## Qualifications

Applicants should have expertise in Python (including NumPy, pandas, and other packages) and PyTorch. 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 segmentation) and/or other modern image processing AI/ML techniques (vision image transformers, vision language models, etc.). Previous experience with DoW 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; Deep 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

## Benefits

- Competitive hourly wages
- Flexible work schedule
- Hybrid policy (in office at least 3x per week)

Email us: careers@covar.com Visit us: [www.covar.com](https://www.covar.com)https://www.covar.com

## About CoVar

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: CoVar is a small AI/ML R&D software company that creates customized algorithms and decision-support tools for defense, healthcare, and industrial applications.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Bootstrapped; no public funding rounds disclosed)
- **Headquarters**: Durham, North Carolina, United States (with additional office in McLean, Virginia)
- **Founded**: 2011
- **Founders**: Mark Hibbard and Martin Milner; expanded through acquisition of New Folder Consulting (2013) with Dr. Peter Torrione and Dr. Kenneth D. Morton, Jr. as chief technologists.

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Defense & Space, Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Aided Target Recognition
- **Target customers**: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), biomedical researchers, industrial operators (B2G/B2B)
- **Mission or purpose statement**: “Deliver more than cutting-edge technology – a one-of-a-kind company that delivers unique smart sensing and automation solutions to our clients.”

## Products & Services
For each major offering:
- **ODIN**: AI-powered decision support tool that turns battlefield data into real-time, actionable insight on friendly forces, adversary activity, ISR coverage, and mission progress.
- **ACES**: Multi-tiered automatic target recognition (ATR) software with patented algorithms for detecting tiny unresolved distant targets, mid-range objects, and providing targeting information.
- **BullsEye**: Software architecture that decouples mission capability from specific airframes and payloads, enabling rapid AI-powered ISR upgrades via software updates.
- **ATLAS (Advanced Targeting & Lethality Aided System)**: Custom machine learning algorithms for detecting threats in infrared and RGB imagery at extreme distances, developed for the U.S. Army.
- **Custom AI/ML Solutions**: Tailored algorithms for defense, healthcare (e.g., disease cure discovery), and industrial monitoring (e.g., machinery to prevent injuries and environmental catastrophes).

## Market Standing
- **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (privately held)
- **Key Metric**: Total funding not disclosed; revenue not publicly available. Notable contract: Direct-to-Phase II SBIR from the U.S. Air Force and a DARPA contract for Predictive Psychological Architectures for Decision-Making (PPADM) program (announced April 2026).
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors reported. Key partners include DARPA, U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and biomedical research institutions.
- **Growth Signals**: Headcount grew 25.8% YoY (26 employees as of mid-2026); LinkedIn followers increased 71% year-over-year; active job postings grew 50% quarterly; DARPA and SBIR contract wins signal expanding government trust.

## Competitive Advantages
- **Specific moats or differentiators**: Over a decade of experience in custom AI/ML for defense; patented algorithms for aided target recognition at extreme distances; ability to decouple software from hardware (BullsEye); deep relationships with DoD and DARPA; small, agile team with high technical expertise (51% of staff in technical roles).

## Strategic Focus
- **Current priorities and direction for growth**: Continue expanding AI/ML solutions for defense (especially real-time battlefield decision support and autonomous target recognition), while growing healthcare and industrial monitoring applications. Emphasis on software-driven upgrades over hardware replacement.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture highlights**: Small, tight-knit team of engineers and scientists; values integrity, creativity, dependability, and diversity; passionate about solving serious problems with cutting-edge technology.
- **Remote/hybrid/office policy**: Flexible work schedule; likely on-site/hybrid given defense contracts (offices in Durham, NC and McLean, VA).
- **Notable perks or engineering culture**: Competitive salary, cash bonus, equity structure, 401k with employer contributions; excellent health/dental/vision plans; opportunity to work on high-impact national security and biomedical projects; constant experimentation and prototyping at the edge of AI/ML.

## Sources
1. [covar.com](https://covar.com/) – Homepage and technology areas
2. [covar.com/about-us](https://covar.com/about-us/) – About Us (history, values)
3. [covar.com/careers-local](https://covar.com/careers-local/) – Careers page (benefits, culture)
4. [linkedin.com/company/covar-llc](https://www.linkedin.com/company/covar-llc) – Company details, workforce, growth
5. [theorg.com/org/covar](https://theorg.com/org/covar) – Org chart, team structure

## Other roles at CoVar

- [Field Operations Advisor, Army Programs](https://feeny.ai/job/field-operations-advisor-army-programs-covar-durham-ebwx57vydvn3) — Durham, NC
- [Software Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/software-engineer-covar-durham-e0xnxda82mcn) — Durham, NC
- [Machine Learning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-covar-durham-ar0hdvxt0jdh) — Durham, NC
- [Machine Learning Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/machine-learning-engineer-covar-mclean-k6gerwpesfw2) — Mclean, VA
- [Signal Processing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/signal-processing-engineer-covar-durham-xqaedd0ghr6t) — Durham, NC