About Primer

Primer is a growing network of K–8 schools restoring the timeless foundations of American education. Inspired by the original teaching primers that shaped a nation of readers, thinkers, and builders, our schools begin with what has always worked, and build for what lies ahead. Close-knit learning environments. Skilled educators. A culture that takes kids seriously as learners and leaders.

Primers shaped the first 200 years of American children. Primer will ready them for the next.

Role overview

We're hiring Full Stack Software Engineering Interns. The internship begins in January, May, or June, with a preferred commitment of 4 to 8 months. You'll build PrimerOS, the operating system that runs our schools, shipping features that teachers, students, and families rely on every day.

Primer's goal is simple: fix K–12 education in America. We build schools from the ground up and run them on a single operating system nobody's built before. That means the work is broad by nature. Our engineering projects span frontend, backend, systems, hardware, and more. As a startup, we give interns real ownership and mission-critical work, with a small, high-performing team around you for mentorship and support.

What you'll do

• Work with TypeScript, Node, GraphQL, Prisma, Postgres, Next, React, and Relay. We invest heavily in our DevEx and agent stack.

• Tackle meaningful projects with direct impact. You'll build features used daily by teachers, students, and families, solving real problems in education.

• Work daily with team members from engineering, product, design, and academic program teams.

• Contribute to a culture of excellence through code reviews and a high bar for quality.

What we're looking for

• You have a real passion for fixing the US education system. You're energized by the chance to redesign the school experience from the ground up.

• The unknowns fuel you. You love rolling up your sleeves and figuring out what needs to happen.

• You have a strong grasp of engineering fundamentals and know how to apply them.

• You take pride in your craft. Every detail matters, and you care about building exceptional software.

Working at Primer

Full-time, in-office internship based out of our sunny Mission District office in San Francisco, 5 days a week. Competitive salary and benefits package, with J-1 and F-1 visa sponsorship available.

Primer is a mission-first company. We believe our mission is the highest-leverage way we can create positive change. In service of that, we keep work centered on mission execution and avoid social or political activism at work that’s unrelated to the mission. If that energizes you, we’d love to see you apply.