Research Engineering Internship - AI, Computer Vision, & Visualization

About Outward, Inc.

Outward, Inc. is based in San Jose, CA and is a wholly owned technology subsidiary of Williams Sonoma, Inc.

At Outward Inc., our vision is to 'lower the friction' in every aspect of the customer shopping journey for our Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands. We achieve this by leveraging cutting-edge technology to create innovative and intuitive experiences, with top-notch product visualizations. We are at the forefront of product visualization, integrating 3D, AR/VR, and web technologies to redefine the shopping experience.

In addition, we are pioneering the use of generative AI to transform e-commerce. By harnessing the power of AI, we aim to revolutionize how products are presented and interacted with, enhancing consumer engagement and driving the future of online shopping. Our mission is to deepen consumer connections with the products that matter and deliver best-in-class experiences.

Summary:

We’re looking for talented research interns for our engineering team focusing on delivering new visual experiences.  The team works on problems in imaging, computer vision, graphics, and machine learning. Some areas of interest are:

• Deep Neural Networks for Vision: Apply advanced techniques in DNNs for tasks such as segmentation and detection to solve complex vision problems.

• Generative Algorithms: Work with generative models, including Stable Diffusion, to enhance visual content creation and realism.

• AI Integration and Automation: Support the integration of AI into production processes, streamline workflows, and transition tasks to AI-driven automation.

• Quality Control and Product Enhancement: Contribute to developing AI solutions that improve quality control and enhance product visuals.

• Synthetic Content Creation: Generation of realistic photo quality content via the image content pipelines

We are looking for the following:

• You are currently enrolled in a graduate program in CS, EE, Applied Math or similar field

• 1-2+ years of working experience as an engineer in a software development position 

• You are on track to graduate with your Ph.D. or MSc degree between Fall/Winter 2025 or Spring/Summer 2026

• You have a minimum GPA of 3.5

• You have experience with scientific libraries such as NumPy, scikit-learn, image manipulation libraries like OpenCV, Blender API, Machine learning frameworks like Tensorflow, PyTorch, Image GenAI models

• You have skills in design and implementation of algorithms 

• You have strong software engineering skills in Python or C++

• You have strong communication skills

• You must be able to work onsite in our San Jose location

   

Desired Skills (Nice-to-have):

• Skills in processing and cleaning data.

• Experience with maintaining PostgreSQL databases and image content

• Building UI using Python or React framework ecosystems

• Experience working with Blender API

• Understanding of Image and Unstructured data

• Working experience on cloud infrastructure

Internship duration (start & end date):

• This is a three to six month internship starting in fall 2025, with the opportunity to work 20-40 hours a week.

• Paid internship. Non-Exempt. Hourly

Our Culture & Values 

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing. 

People First 

Putting People First means investing in overall well-being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

 

Benefits

• A generous discount on all WSI brands

• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities

• Paid vacations,