Product Manager Co-op Fall 2026

Introduction

A career in IBM Software means you’ll be part of a team that transform our customer’s challenges into solutions.

Seeking new possibilities and always staying curious, we are a team dedicated to creating the world’s leading AI-powered, cloud-native software solutions for our customers.

Our renowned legacy creates endless global opportunities for our IBMers, so the door is always open for those who want to grow their career.

We are seeking a skilled back-end developer to join our IBM Software team. As part of our team, you will be responsible for developing and maintaining high-quality software products, working with a variety of technologies and programming languages. IBM’s product and technology landscape includes Research, Software, and Infrastructure. Entering this domain positions you at the heart of IBM, where growth and innovation thrive.

Your Role And Responsibilities

We’re looking for Product Manager Coop to help build AI‑enabled and data‑driven software products across our teams. As an co-op, you will work closely with engineering, design, and data science partners to support product strategy, define user needs, and deliver features that provide real value. This role offers hands‑on exposure to the product lifecycle while developing skills in research, experimentation, prioritization, and stakeholder collaboration.

What You’ll Do

• Support product strategy, roadmap planning, and prioritization.
• Translate technical concepts—such as APIs, ML models, and data flows—into clear user stories.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to build and refine features.
• Use analytics and user feedback to assess product performance.
• Apply responsible and ethical AI practices.
• Participate in Agile ceremonies, research activities, and design reviews.
• Communicate updates and findings to stakeholders.
  
  

This is a 16‑week Co‑Op position designed for actively enrolled undergraduate students who are interested in gaining hands‑on, practical experience in their field while contributing to real IBM projects. To be eligible, candidates must be currently enrolled at an accredited university and able to pause their coursework for the duration of the Co‑Op, as students may not be enrolled in classes while participating. This role requires full‑time availability (40 hours per week) during the Fall 2026 semester. Eligible candidates should also be available to join IBM in a full‑time role between December 2026 and August 2027 upon successful completion of their degree.

Preferred Education

Bachelor's Degree

Required Technical And Professional Expertise

• Must be actively enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program at the time of application and returning to complete the degree after the co-op.
• Available to start full-time between December 2026 and August 2027. Available to work full-time (40 hours/week) at an IBM location for 16 weeks.
• Co-op requires a full-time commitment; students should not be enrolled in concurrent coursework during the co-op term.
• To be eligible, candidates must be currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, or PhD program, with an expected graduation date between December 2026 and May 2029.
• Understanding of product management principles and user‑centered thinking.
• Familiarity with AI/ML concepts or data workflows through coursework or projects.
• Experience with Agile practices and collaborative work environments.
• Ability to analyze data and communicate insights clearly.
• Strong communication, organization, and problem‑solving skills.
  
  

Preferred Technical And Professional Experience

• Exposure to product analytics or data visualization tools.
• Coursework or projects related to AI, data, or software engineering.
• Familiarity with responsible AI or ethics frameworks.