Software Engineering Co-op

About the company

Acceldata is a leading provider in enterprise data observability. Established in 2018 and based in Silicon Valley, the company created the first enterprise data observability platform designed to help teams build and run high-quality data products.

Data observability sits at the crossroads of AI, LLMs, analytics, and DataOps. Acceldata delivers critical capabilities that help enterprises trust and rely on their data, supporting robust data products at scale.

As a SaaS business, Acceldata serves well-known customers including HPE, HSBC, Visa, Freddie Mac, Manulife, Workday, Oracle, PubMatic, PhonePe (Walmart), Hersheys, Dun & Bradstreet, and others. The company is backed by a Series C funding round with investors such as Insight Partners, March Capital, Lightspeed, Sorenson Ventures, Industry Ventures, and Emergent Ventures.

Role overview

In this co-op role, you will contribute to large-scale data projects and help build a data platform from the ground up. You will work with experienced engineers, gain exposure to open-source technologies, and make visible contributions to the Acceldata Open Data Platform (ODP). The position is suited to someone who is motivated, curious, and eager to solve real infrastructure challenges that support enterprise-grade data systems.

This assignment runs for 4 months, requires 40 hours per week, and is fully on-site at 151 Charles Street West, inside the Communitech Innovation Center in Kitchener, Ontario.

Why this role stands out

You will be contributing to software that helps shape modern data platforms used by major enterprises. The work involves distributed systems and open-source collaboration, with a direct impact on how data platforms are monitored, optimized, and managed across hybrid and cloud environments.

This is an opportunity to build mission-critical technology that can support petabyte-scale pipelines and influence the broader open-source ecosystem. The team values speed, creativity, and innovation, and provides an environment where your ideas can translate into real systems used by others.

Responsibilities

• Partner with the engineering team to develop, test, and ship software using Java or Scala.
• Take part in the complete software development cycle, including analysis of requirements, design, coding, testing, and ongoing maintenance.
• Apply prior experience with at least one Apache project such as Hadoop, Spark, or Kafka to support the work effectively.
• Use open-source development practices and community-oriented working methods.
• Investigate, diagnose, and resolve technical issues while maintaining strong software quality.
• Participate in code reviews and contribute to team knowledge sharing.
• Keep learning new tools, languages, and platforms as the role evolves.
• Stay current with developments in open-source projects and contribute to the community when needed.

Requirements

• Currently enrolled in a Computer Science, Software Engineering, or closely related program at the University of Waterloo.
• Strong coding ability in Java or Scala, along with Python.
• Experience creating and working with build systems using Maven, Gradle, or SBT.
• Practical familiarity with GitHub and Nexus management, including their common use cases.
• Good grasp of data structures, algorithms, and core software engineering principles.
• Exposure to distributed computing, big data tools, and cloud platforms is an advantage.
• Hands-on knowledge of Kubernetes, including application deployment, management, and scaling.
• Understanding of Kubernetes objects such as Pods, Services, Deployments, StatefulSets, ConfigMaps, and Secrets.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of the big data stack, including ingestion, processing, and storage technologies.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills for collaboration across teams.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-based, collaborative environment.
• Willingness to learn quickly and adapt to new technologies.

Application documents

• Proof of co-op enrollment
• Co-op work history, if available
• Resume
• Grade report

Compensation and benefits

• Apple Mac equipment provided
• Weekly catered lunch in the office
• Onsite gym with showers
• Game rooms
• Dedicated bicycle room
• Drinks and snacks available

Pay details

The compensation range is $20 to $30 per hour. The final rate depends on the candidate’s education level and relevant experience, with stronger qualifications considered for the higher end of the range.

Equal opportunity and hiring note

Acceldata is an equal-opportunity employer and provides fair consideration regardless of job history, disability, gender identity, religion, race, color, caste, marital or parental status, veteran status, or any other protected status. The company is committed to an inclusive workplace for candidates who match the role requirements.

Acceldata also notes that AI tools may be used to support parts of the hiring process, such as application review, resume analysis, response assessment, and consistency checks. These tools assist recruiters but do not replace human judgment, and final hiring decisions are made by people. Candidates who want more information about data processing may contact the company directly.

Additional information

The role is an on-site 4-month co-op assignment with a weekly schedule of 40 hours. The workplace is located at 151 Charles Street West inside the Communitech Innovation Center in Kitchener, Ontario.