Software Engineer, Intern (Summer 2027)

About Persona

Persona is the configurable identity platform built for businesses in a digital-first world. Verifying individuals and organizations is harder — but more important — than ever, with AI enabling fraudsters to launch sophisticated accounts at scale and regulations evolving rapidly.

We’ve built Persona to support practically every use case and industry — that’s why we’re able to serve a wide range of leading companies. For example, Reddit relies on Persona for age assurance and verification to comply with online safety regulations, protecting younger users while maintaining a seamless experience. Meanwhile, OpenAI relies on Persona to keep bad actors out, protecting one of the world’s most powerful AI platforms from large-scale abuse in a time when AI is reshaping the way we work and live.

We’re growing rapidly and looking for exceptional people to join us!

Founded in 2018, Persona is a 250-person Series C startup based in San Francisco, backed by Index Ventures, Coatue, Founders Fund, and First Round Capital. Persona offers flexible building blocks that help businesses fight fraud, stay compliant, and build trust among their customers. For example, Coursera uses Persona to ensure the right person is earning each degree, OpenAI uses Persona to prevent the misuse of ChatGPT, and Lime checks the ages of customers before they ride electric scooters or bikes. To learn more, check out this short video.

Our Engineering team and internship program

This is not your typical engineering internship. During your internship, you'll have opportunities for ownership that will significantly build your confidence as a software engineer. At one of the fastest-growing startups in technology, you'll ship code as early as your first week! You'll receive dedicated 1:1 mentorship, along with challenging technical assignments, novel product feature work, and many opportunities to stretch your technical skills unlike ever before. We’re building both a product and a technology, but doing whatever it takes isn’t always straightforward. This role will help show you how to build the correct systems for scale, while also building something that customers want.

What you'll learn

• Build and ship: You'll design foundational aspects of the identity platform

• Partner with customers: Work directly with customers to understand their pain points and build product features for them. You’re in the driver's seat to get your project in front of real customers

• See (and ship) scale: Handle both first-time and long-time customers running a CSV data test at Super Bowl Sunday scale

• Cross-team collaboration: Discuss the unique aspects of your projects with teams such as product, design, post-sales, and sales

• Continuous learning: Work with your mentor and a close-knit team to ensure your learnings from past projects are brought into future projects, helping you grow quickly as an engineer

What you'll bring to Persona

• Pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's in computer science, engineering, math, or related discipline with a strong CS background

• Previous programming experience is a must. While we use Ruby/Rails, Typescript, React, Redux, Android, iOS, and Python, we care more about engineering skills than knowledge of specific languages or frameworks

• Proficiency in full-stack development, previous experience with data modeling and schema design

• Ability to work independently and collaboratively to execute projects and adhere to deadlines - Eager to discuss positive and negative feedback regarding large projects

• Willing to be in-person in San Francisco and work out of our San Francisco office Tuesday - Thursdays (WFH option Mondays and Fridays)

• You thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth startup environment

At Persona, we believe in people above all else. We strive to create an inclusive environment where everyone's contributions are valued and their growth is supported. We're honored to be recognized as one of Fortune's Best Medium Workplaces, a testament to our commitment to fostering a world-class team. You can read what it’s like to work at Persona on Glassdoor or visit our Early Careers page to see more opportunities like this one.

Benefits and Perks

For full-time US-based employees (excluding internship and contractor opportunities), Persona offers a wide range of benefits, including medical, dental, and vision, 3% 401(k) contribution, unlimited PTO, quarterly mental health days, family planning benefits, professional development stipend, wellness benefits, among others.

For full-time UK employees, Persona offers a wide range of benefits, including private medical insurance, dental insurance, a 6% employer pension contribution, unlimited PTO, a monthly wellness stipend, professional development stipend, co-working stipend, and more.

As part of our interview process, all candidates will be asked to verify their identity with Persona. This step is used solely to confirm that candidates are who they say they are, and will have no impact on hiring decisions.