PhD Intern - AI/ML/NLP Engineer

About the role

We are a fast-growing AI Engineering team, driving WEX's strategic vision to integrate artificial intelligence into the core of our product and business. Our team thrives on collaboration, working directly with stakeholders and domain experts to develop innovative AI platforms and solutions. We are building groundbreaking products that benefit our customers and help them grow their businesses. We foster a culture of continuous learning and believe that the best work stems from a shared purpose and an enjoyable, engaging environment. How you'll make an impact: As a PhD Research Intern, you will apply your deep technical expertise to solve complex, real-world problems. You are a highly motivated researcher with a passion for applying cutting-edge AI, Machine Learning, and software engineering to create tangible business value. This is a project-based internship. You will be paired with a dedicated mentor and given a high-impact project to own, from research and design through to a functional prototype; you'll: Collaborate with senior engineers, product managers, and domain experts to understand our customers' needs and challenges. Apply your research skills to design, code, and test novel AI/ML solutions. Develop, evaluate, and iterate on AI/ML models (including LLMs) to solve a core business problem. Analyze existing platforms to identify bottlenecks and propose opportunities for algorithmic or systems-level improvements. Gain hands-on experience with our production systems, including CI/CD pipelines (GitHub Actions) and Infrastructure as Code (Terraform). Present your findings and project outcomes to the team and key stakeholders at the end of your internship. Experience you'll bring: Currently enrolled in a PhD program in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Statistics, or a related quantitative field. Demonstrated research experience in AI, Machine Learning, Deep Learning, or Generative AI (e.g., publications, conference papers, or significant project work). Strong programming skills in at least one of our core languages: Python, Java, C#, or GoLang. Deep understanding of modern ML algorithms, platforms, and packages (including deep learning and LLMs). Solid grasp of probability and statistics concepts (e.g., distributions, Bayesian inference, maximum likelihood estimation). A collaborative mindset and strong communication skills, with an ability to translate complex research into practical applications. Evidence of innovative problem-solving and a drive to learn and excel. Preferred Skills: Experience with cloud platforms (e.g., AWS). Familiarity with software development best practices (SDLC), CI/CD tools, and IaC (e.g., Terraform). Familiarity with container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes). Experience or interest in the financial technology (FinTech) industry. The base pay range represents the anticipated low and high end of the pay range for this position. Actual pay rates will vary and will be based on various factors, such as your qualifications, skills, competencies, and proficiency for the role. Base pay is one component of WEX's total compensation package. Most sales positions are eligible for commission under the terms of an applicable plan. Non-sales roles are typically eligible for a quarterly or annual bonus based on their role and applicable plan. WEX's comprehensive and market competitive benefits are designed to support your personal and professional well-being. Benefits include health, dental and vision insurances, retirement savings plan, paid time off, health savings account, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability insurance, tuition reimbursement, and more. For more information, check out the "About Us" section. Pay Range: $35.00 - $43.00