Back-End/API Engineering Intern (Second Year or Above)

About FitMirage
FitMirage is an AI stylist and smart-mirror startup that lets people digitize their closets, plan outfits, and preview virtual try-ons—helping them look confident without more shopping.
The back-end infrastructure will be built entirely from scratch, so the exact tech stack is not yet determined. Interns will gain exposure to early-stage architecture, experimentation, and decision-making on what technologies fit best.

Role summary
Build and strengthen APIs, data pipelines, and background jobs that power virtual try-on and smart-mirror features.
You’ll work on (examples)
REST/GraphQL endpoints for items/outfits/users.

Authentication and role-based access.

Image pipeline automation.

Rate limiting and error handling.

Integration tests and staging deploys.

Tech you’ll use
(Basic familiarity expected; tools may evolve)
Server frameworks such as Node.js or Python.

Databases like Postgres and object storage.

CI/CD basics and cloud infrastructure concepts.

What you’ll learn
Designing reliable APIs for media-heavy apps.

Security and secrets management.

System monitoring and alerts.

Minimum qualifications
Second-year student or higher.

Experience with at least one server framework and SQL.

Understanding of API documentation and structure.

Nice-to-have
Interest in queues, caching, or scalable system design.

Awareness of data security and privacy principles.

Time & location
7-15 hours per week.

Fully remote position.

Compensation & credit
Unpaid; academic credit possible if approved by your school.

Selection Process
Short introductory chat with the founder.

Discussion about goals, skills, and potential project fit.

Direct onboarding if there’s a mutual match.

Compliance Reminder
This is an unpaid, remote internship at a for-profit startup and must ensure the intern is the primary beneficiary of the experience (learning, mentoring, academic credit where applicable, no job guarantee, and limited displacement of employees).