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AI Hardware Lab Intern

Ultimum Group
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Job Type: Internship

Employment Type: Part-time

Duration: Temporary/Seasonal

Location: Des Moines, IA (Hybrid — some on-site at Elevator CoWarehousing downtown, some remote)

Start Date: May 2026

Compensation: $15/hr

Job Description:

About Ultimum Ultimum is a veteran-owned AI technology company in Des Moines building edge computing infrastructure from new and repurposed electronics. A big focus this Summer will be continuing to turn e-waste into intelligent devices — Brain Boxes (local AI servers), IoT sensor networks, custom hardware prototypes, and AI-powered services.  This involves interdisciplinary thinking, as we're optimizing across all areas of the software, hardware, and network stack. Recent breakthroughs in low-bit LLM models and SBCs (single board computers) have opened the possibility space up for our "on-prem LLM" (on device, on location AI inference) that are needed to address emerging cyber security needs and regulations (also caused by advances in AI).

The Role You'll work directly with our founder and a small team to build, configure, and test real hardware systems. This isn't a "fetch coffee" internship — you'll have devices in your hands from day one.

What you'll do:

  • Set up and configure Dell Optiplex servers running Ubuntu Server, Docker, and Ollama (local LLM inference)
  • Build and test ESP32-S3 based IoT devices — flashing firmware, wiring sensors, prototyping enclosures
  • Help design and print device cases on a Bambu Lab H2D 3D printer
  • Configure Tailscale mesh networking across a distributed device fleet
  • Run AI red team / blue team security exercises on our infrastructure
  • Assist with device intake and triage from Iowa State Surplus and government auctions
  • Document experiments, write technical guides, and contribute to our knowledge base

You're a good fit if you:

  • Study Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
  • Are comfortable with Linux command line (or eager to learn fast)
  • Have touched Arduino, Raspberry Pi, ESP32, or similar hardware (even hobby-level counts)
  • Are curious about AI, edge computing, or IoT
  • Can work independently and figure things out

Bonus points for:

  • Experience with Docker, Python, or Node.js
  • Interest in cybersecurity or networking
  • 3D printing or CAD experience
  • Amateur radio license (we work with LoRa and Sub-GHz)
  • Helping add games to the Ultimum Arcade on-site and online

Details:

  • 10-20 hours/week, flexible schedule
  • Hybrid: on-site at our Des Moines lab + remote
  • Access to $15K+ of hardware, dev boards, and 3D printing equipment
  • Direct mentorship from the founder (US Army veteran, former banking industry analytics executive, BJJ/MMA coach, Stanford ML graduate education)
  • Real products, real customers, real portfolio pieces

Preferred Majors: Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Information Systems, Cybersecurity

Job Function: Engineering, Information Technology