Introduction

IBM Quantum is building and operating some of the world's most advanced quantum computing systems, delivered to clients and researchers through IBM Cloud. As the program scales, protecting the security and compliance of the cloud infrastructure behind it is a growing priority. We're looking for a Quantum Security Intern to help strengthen the compliance posture of our IBM Cloud accounts and improve the security tooling our team relies on day to day.

Your role and responsibilities

As a Quantum Security Intern, you will work alongside the IBM Quantum security team on two connected priorities: raising the compliance posture of our IBM Cloud accounts, and improving the tooling we use to monitor and act on security risk. Your responsibilities will include:

• Assess IBM Cloud account configurations (IAM policies, access controls, encryption, logging/audit trails) against internal and industry compliance frameworks, and identify and document gaps.
• Design, build, and enhance automated tooling - scripts, dashboards, and checks - that continuously monitor cloud account compliance and flag deviations as they occur.
• Support remediation of identified security and compliance findings in partnership with cloud and infrastructure engineering teams.
• Improve existing security tooling and workflows, reducing manual effort and closing gaps in current coverage across IBM Cloud accounts.
• Document security controls, compliance evidence, and tooling runbooks to support internal reviews and audits.
• Partner with the broader IBM Security and Quantum engineering organizations to evaluate and pilot new security and compliance tools.
• Present findings, tooling improvements, and recommendations to the team throughout the internship.

Required education

High School Diploma/GED

Preferred education

Bachelor's Degree

Required technical and professional expertise

• Currently pursuing a degree in Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Security, or a related technical field.
• Foundational understanding of cloud security concepts, including IAM, encryption, network security, and logging/monitoring.
• Working knowledge of at least one scripting or programming language (e.g., Python, Go, Bash) for building automation and tooling.
• Familiarity with cloud platforms (IBM Cloud, AWS, Azure, or GCP) and their security/compliance features.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with close attention to detail.

Preferred technical and professional experience

• Exposure to compliance frameworks or standards (e.g., NIST, ISO 27001, SOC 2, CIS Benchmarks).
• Coursework or project experience related to quantum computing.
• Experience with Infrastructure-as-Code (e.g., Terraform) or CI/CD security tooling.
• Familiarity with security scanning, SIEM, or cloud security posture management (CSPM) tools.

ABOUT BUSINESS UNIT

IBM Research is the organic growth engine of IBM and an innovation engine for our customers and partners. As part of this mission, IBM Research anticipates and examines 'What's Next in Computing' to ultimately create and integrate the technologies the world relies upon to solve big challenges and unlock new opportunities. We create and pioneer new markets for IBM, our partners and customers as exemplified in our ongoing quest to reach practical and large-scale quantum computing. Across IBM Research, we realize the power and potential to accelerate discovery with our partners and clients by combining the power of high performance computing, AI, and Quantum, all integrated through the hybrid cloud.

YOUR LIFE @ IBM

In a world where technology never stands still, we understand that, dedication to our clients success, innovation that matters, and trust and personal responsibility in all our relationships, lives in what we do as IBMers as we strive to be the catalyst that makes the world work better.

Being an IBMer means you'll be able to learn and develop yourself and your career, you'll be encouraged to be courageous and experiment everyday, all whilst having continuous trust and support in an environment where everyone can thrive whatever their personal or professional background.

Our IBMers are growth minded, always staying curious, open to feedback and learning new information and skills to constantly transform themselves and our company. They are trusted to provide on-going feedback to help other IBMers grow, as well as collaborate with colleagues keeping in mind a team focused approach to include different perspectives to drive exceptional outcomes for our customers. The courage our IBMers have to make critical decisions everyday is essential to IBM becoming the catalyst for progress, always embracing challenges with resources they have to hand, a can-do attitude and always striving for an outcome focused approach within everything that they do.

Are you ready to be an IBMer?

ABOUT IBM

IBM's greatest invention is the IBMer. We believe that through the application of intelligence, reason and science, we can improve business, society and the human condition, bringing the power of an open hybrid cloud and AI strategy to life for our clients and partners around the world.

Restlessly reinventing since 1911, we are not only one of the largest corporate organizations in the world, we're also one of the biggest technology and consulting employers, with many of the Fortune 500 companies relying on the IBM Cloud to run their business.

At IBM, we pride ourselves on being an early adopter of artificial intelligence, quantum computing and blockchain. Now it's time for you to join us on our journey to being a responsible technology innovator and a force for good in the world.

IBM is proud to be an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, pregnancy, disability, neurodivergence, age, or other characteristics protected by the applicable law. IBM is also committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.

OTHER RELEVANT JOB DETAILS

IBM will not be providing visa sponsorship for this position now or in the future. Therefore, in order to be considered for this position, you must have the ability to work without a need for current or future visa sponsorship.

The compensation range and benefits for this position are based on a full-time schedule for a full calendar year. The salary will vary depending on your job-related skills, experience and location. Pay increment and frequency of pay will be in accordance with employment classification and applicable laws. For part time roles, your compensation and benefits will be adjusted to reflect your hours. Benefits may be pro-rated for those who start working during the calendar year.

Job Title

Quantum Security Intern 2027 - Cloud Compliance & Security Tooling

Date posted

21-Sep-2026

Job ID

132708

City / Township / Village

Yorktown Heights

State / Province

New York

Country

United States

Work arrangement

Onsite

Area of work

Software Engineering

Employment type

Co-Op (Fixed Term)

Contract type

Internship

Projected Minimum Salary per year

90,720.00

Projected Maximum Salary per year

166,320.00

Position type

Internship

Travel required

No Travel

Company

(0147) International Business Machines Corporation

Shift

General (daytime)

Is this role a commissionable/sales incentive based position?

No