Forward-Deployed AI Engineer - Internship

READ THIS FIRSTThis is a 6-month paid internship in our AI Lab in Milan.It is designed to lead to a permanent, full-time role as a Forward-Deployed AI Engineer, so we only offer it to people who can join us full-time as soon as it ends.It's for you if you:are in the final year of a Bachelor's degree, orare in the final year of a Master's degree, orcompleted a Bachelor's degree in the last 12 months, orcompleted a Master's degree in the last 12 monthsIt's not for you if you:are in an earlier year of your degree, orplan to continue your studies after the internshipAbout UsWe are an AI startup founded in 2020, headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, with an AI Lab in Milan, Italy. Our expertise spans Machine Learning and Generative AI for Financial Services.At Gemmo AI, we build custom AI solutions that combine automation with human insight. We use a modular approach: first we explore the highest-impact opportunities, then we design and deploy tailored solutions, and finally we help improve and maintain them over time.We believe in responsible, pragmatic AI: systems that integrate into real workflows, provide measurable value, and remain under the client's control.Our Team Forward-Deployed Engineers: 20 people, including 4 Ph.D.s Leadership: 4 peopleWe are a lean, technical-first team, and we're growing.We plan to add 10 new Forward-Deployed AI Engineers in the next 6 months.The RoleA forward-deployed engineer works directly with the client and owns the solution end to end: from understanding the business problem, to choosing and building the right model, to shipping and running it in production. There's no handoff chain. The same engineer who hears the problem delivers the answer.In practice, the role combines three disciplines: Business Analysis: understanding how a financial institution works, mapping its processes, and turning a vague request into a clear specification AI Engineering: building, evaluating and improving models, from classic prediction models to fine-tuned LLMs, and AI Ops Software Engineering: building the APIs, integrations and applications that put models into real workflows, then deploying and maintaining themNobody arrives strong in all three. We hire people who are solid in at least one and eager to grow into the others.Who You AreYou enjoy understanding why something needs to be built, and you take ownership of outcomes the client can measure, not just tasksYou're comfortable working directly with clients and resolving unclear problems with them, rather than waiting for a perfect specYou're curious across business, AI and software, especially about how financial services companies operate and make moneyYou write clearly and communicate confidently in English, both written and spoken: we work in English with international clients and colleagues. Italian is a plus, not a requirementPrior work experience is not required: we welcome students and graduates from ITS, bachelor's and master's programmes. What matters most is how fast you learnWhat You'll DoYou'll be embedded with enterprise clients in regulated financial services, one of the most data-rich industries in the world, and own AI solutions from the business problem to production. Depending on the project, you might:Sit with client stakeholders to understand a workflow, identify where AI creates measurable value and redesign the process around itBuild prediction models, ML-based document analysis and retrieval (RAG) pipelines that power conversational interfaces over the client's dataEvaluate, benchmark and orchestrate open-weight models and agentsBuild the full-stack applications, APIs and integrations that connect your models to users and to the client's systemsDeploy, monitor and improve what you've built once it's liveYou'll join an operating team of FD AI Engineers and AI Leads, with a dedicated mentor at your side. There are no handoffs to other teams: you own the outcome, and you'll use AI tools every day to multiply what you deliver. This is not a support role: you'll be expected to contribute from day one.What You Will LearnTurning a vague client request into a clear spec, then into a working versionBuilding, evaluating and orchestrating ML and LLM-based systems: retrieval, evals and agentsBuilding full-stack applications and APIs that serve models to real users, and running them in production on Azure and SnowflakeCommunicating technical work clearly to non-technical stakeholdersHow a business operates and makes money, and what it takes to build AI in a regulated industry, starting with financial servicesTech StackWe use a mix of modern tools and languages. You'll have the chance to explore and work with technologies like these:Languages: Python, SQLML frameworks: PyTorch, XGBoostAPI frameworks: FastAPIDatabases: Snowflake, PostgresCloud: Azure, AWSRemote Work and Schedule3 days in our Milan office (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and 2 days remote (Monday, Friday)Working hours: Monday to Friday, 8:30-17:30 (Italian time)Lunch break: 12:30-13:30Stipend And BenefitsMonthly stipend (gross): €600 if you're still studying€800 if you hold a Bachelor's degree€1,000 if you hold a Master's degreePersonal mentorship from a Gemmo AI Project LeaderMeal allowance: €10 for each day in the office (around €120/month)Public transport pass reimbursement: reimbursement of the cost of local, regional or interregional public transport passes, up to €200 per month, upon submission of proof of purchase (single tickets and carnets are not eligible);Equipment: a brand-new 14-inch MacBook Pro (M5) for your work with usCareer PathThis internship is not a dead end. It's the front door.At the end of the internship, we offer you a permanent position as a Forward-Deployed AI Engineer.The position starts as a 30-month Apprenticeship (so called Apprendistato Professionalizzante) under the CCNL Metalmeccanico, at level C3, with a starting gross annual salary (RAL) of €28,000, reviewed every year.Under Italian law, an Apprenticeship is a permanent employment contract from day one, combined with a structured training plan. When the 30 months end, it automatically continues as a standard permanent contract (so called Contratto a Tempo Indeterminato).Selection ProcessWe keep it fast, respectful and transparent.First Interview with the CEO (15 min): your motivation, background and availabilityTechnical interview with a Senior Forward-Deployed Engineer (30 min): a thorough assessment of your technical skillsMeet Gemmo with our Head of Engineering (30 min): once we've got to know you and want you on the team, we tell you about Gemmo and what it can mean for your career. If you reach this step, you're on our shortlistOffer: selected candidates receive an offer, which stays open for 24 hours. We're telling you now so there are no surprises