Quill AI Data Engineer Intern (hybrid) - June 2026

AI Data Engineering Intern

Staples is business to business. You're what binds us together.

Quill is a valuable part of the Staples family of brands. Since 1956, Quill has held its position as a leader in office supplies.

Acquired by Staples in 1998, Quill delivers the essential services, solutions, and award-winning customer support to help our customers – and our people – thrive. When you partner with Quill, as a customer or as an associate, every workday is more rewarding.

This internship position is a part of a hybrid work model, 4 days in the office and 1 day remote, based out of the Quill Corporate facility in Lincolnshire, IL.

Target Start Date: June 1, 2026 - August 14, 2026 (11-week program)

Intern Pay Rate: $29 per hour

Position Overview:

We are seeking a motivated and analytical AI Data Engineering Intern to join our team. This internship offers a hands-on opportunity to work on cloud-based data platforms, big data technologies, and AI-driven solutions. The ideal candidate is a Computer Science student or recent graduate with a strong foundation in data engineering, programming, and artificial intelligence concepts. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, build, and optimize scalable data pipelines that support machine learning and analytics initiatives.

What You Bring To The Table:

• Collaborative – able to build partnerships and work collaboratively with others to meet shared objectives
• Customer Focused – able to identify and understand internal or external customer needs and interests and deliver customer-centric solutions
• Inclusive – dedicated to fostering an inclusive environment consisting of diverse individuals from varying backgrounds and cultures
• Innovative – develop new insights; question conventional approaches; encourage new ideas; design and implement new solutions

What You'll Be Doing:

• Assist in the development and maintenance of data pipelines using tools such as Spark, Hive, and SQL
• Support cloud-based data engineering tasks using AWS or Azure services
• Contribute to ETL processes, data modeling, and integration of structured and semi-structured data formats (e.g., JSON, CSV)
• Participate in the design and implementation of scalable data solutions for AI and machine learning projects
• Collaborate with technical and business stakeholders to support data-driven decision-making
• Apply problem-solving and analytical skills to troubleshoot data issues and optimize performance
• Document processes and contribute to knowledge-sharing within the team

What's Needed - Basic Qualifications:

• Pursuing a master's degree in Computer Science, Data Engineering, or a related field
• Familiarity with big data tools (e.g., Spark, Hive, Sqoop) and cloud platforms (AWS, Azure)
• Proficient in Python, SQL, and Unix/Linux scripting
• Understanding of dimensional modeling and data architecture principles
• Strong communication skills and a collaborative mindset
• Passion for learning new technologies and solving complex data challenges

What's Needed - Preferred Qualifications:

• Exposure to data visualization tools such as Power BI is a plus
• Knowledge of monitoring and data quality frameworks
• Ability to adapt quickly in a fast-paced environment