The ACLU seeks an Undergraduate Software Engineering intern in the Technology and Analytics Department's Educate Pod of the ACLU’s National office in New York City. This internship can be remote or hybrid.

Qualifying applicants must currently be matriculated undergraduate students or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience and must be based in the U.S. for the entire duration of the internship.

The Team:

The ACLU’s Technology department partners with other departments across the ACLU in order to build and maintain innovative, robust and secure digital products and technical systems that accelerate the ACLU’s mission as our nationwide guardian of rights and liberties. We are a team of engineers, designers, product managers and administrators who take pride in creating technical solutions that help raise money, get our message out in the world, mobilize our supporters, and manage our data with integrity.

What You’ll Do:

As a Web Engineering intern, you’ll contribute to the front-facing websites of the ACLU and its affiliates. These websites are key platforms for public education, advocacy, and engagement. You’ll get hands-on experience working on high-impact web projects and help shape the technical foundation of how we reach and activate millions of people.

Your Day to Day

• Develop and maintain full-stack WordPress web properties alongside experienced engineers
• Collaborate with other engineers, designers, and product managers on cross-functional projects
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to a culture of technical quality
• Assist in creating and improving engineering documentation
• Join in on conversations about engineering strategy and best practices

What You’ll Bring:

• Experience writing code in at least one high-level programming language (e.g. PHP, Python)
• Experience with front-end development tools and best practices
• Experience working with a content management system (e.g. WordPress, Drupal)
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Curiosity about how best to solve problems with creativity (and code)
• A passion for the defense of civil liberties

Future ACLU-ers Will:

• Be committed to advancing the mission of the ACLU
• Center and embed the principles of equity, inclusion and belonging in their work by demonstrating commitment to diversity with an approach that respects and values multiple perspectives
• Be committed to work collaboratively and respectfully toward resolving obstacles and conflict

Internship Logistics:

• Location: Our internship program offers a limited number of remote or hybrid intern positions. This internship is full-time from our New York City office and can be remote or hybrid.
• Time Commitment: Full-time (35 hours/week)
• Internship Duration: Full-time internships span 10 consecutive weeks. This internship has a start date of: September 8th or September 21st
• Stipend: A stipend is available for students who are lawfully authorized to work. Arrangements can be made with educational institutions for work/study or course credit.
  • Below is the stipend rate:
    • $20/hr for undergraduate students or equivalent experience
    • This internship must be tied to the intern’s formal education program by integrated coursework or the receipt of academic credit.

Why the ACLU:

For over 100 years, the ACLU has worked to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed by the Constitution and laws of the United States. Whether it’s ending mass incarceration, achieving full equality for the LGBTQ+ community, establishing new privacy protections for our digital age, or preserving the right to vote or the right to have an abortion, the ACLU takes up the toughest civil liberties cases and issues to defend all people.

Our Commitment to Accessibility, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Accessibility, equity, diversity, and inclusion are core values of the ACLU and central to our work to advance liberty, equality, and justice for all. For us diversity, equity and inclusion are not just check-the-box activities, but a chance for us to make long-term meaningful change. We are a community committed to learning and growth, humility and grace, transparency and accountability. We believe in a collective responsibility to create a culture of belonging for all people within our organization – one that respects and embraces difference; treats everyone equitably; and empowers our colleagues to do the best work possible. We are as committed to anti-oppression and anti-racism internally as we are externally. Because whether we’re in the courts or in the office, we believe ‘We the People’ means all of us.

With this commitment in mind, we strongly encourage applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, marital status, citizenship, disability, veteran status and record of arrest or conviction, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

To maintain the integrity of our assessment process, please refrain from using AI-powered chatbots, search engines, or real-time assistance tools to generate your CV, cover letter or writing sample (if required). We want to better understand your individual skills and thought processes. If you require AI tools or other assistive technology as a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please complete the Accommodation Request Form so that we can support an accessible and equitable experience.

In order to be considered for this position, all candidates must formally submit an application. The ACLU does not accept unsolicited calls or emails from candidates regarding their application status.