Commercial and Strategy Intern/Co-op

Company Description

Vertical Semiconductor, a venture-backed MIT spin-out, is leading the development of vertical gallium nitride (GaN) power semiconductors to build the foundational power layer for the next generation of compute and AI.

Role Description

Vertical Semiconductor is seeking a full- or part-time Commercial and Strategy (MBA) Intern/Co-Op to support commercial engagement within the data center market and support company operations. This role sits at the intersection of market development, customer engagement, and strategic company operations.

The intern/co-op will work closely with leadership, engineering, and business teams to deepen our understanding of data center power architectures, customer requirements, and market dynamics. In parallel, you will take ownership of parts of company operations, from internal systems and logistics to the day-to-day coordination that keeps a small team moving quickly.

This internship is ideal for someone who wants hands-on exposure to how a deep-tech hardware startup engages strategic customers and runs day-to-day.

This is an in-person fall internship based at our headquarters at Greentown Labs in Somerville, MA. The internship will run late August through December, with flexibility to accommodate academic calendars. Please indicate your rough availability (full/part time, number of hours a week) in your application.

Key Responsibilities

Data Center Commercial Engagement

• Support analysis of data center power architectures, including AI training clusters, hyperscale facilities, and emerging high-density compute environments

• Research and map target customers across hyperscalers, colocation providers, and OEMs

• Conduct targeted commercial outreach (cold email and related methods) to establish and develop relationships with data center operators, hyperscalers, and strategic partners

• Assist in developing customer-facing materials tailored to data center applications

• Analyze customer requirements and translate them into system-level performance metrics and value propositions

• Support preparation for customer meetings, including briefing documents and follow-up summaries

• Track market signals, partnership discussions, and competitive developments within the data center ecosystem

Cross-Functional Strategy

• Work with our engineering team to understand device capabilities and roadmap milestones

• Synthesize technical and commercial inputs into structured insights for leadership

• Contribute to go-to-market and partnership strategy discussions

Operations

• Own recurring operational tasks, including keeping the customer pipeline and internal project trackers current so leadership has an accurate view of what is in motion

• Coordinate logistics for meetings, customer visits, and conferences, from scheduling to prep materials to follow-up tracking

• Support vendor, supplier, and shipping coordination, including gathering quotes and tracking orders and deliveries

• Help organize and maintain shared documents and templates

• Track deadlines and action items across funding applications, partnerships, and compliance requirements

• Take on ad hoc projects that keep a small, fast-moving team running, wherever the need shows up

Qualifications

· Bachelor’s (junior or senior) or Master’s student pursuing a degree in business administration, engineering, physics, economics, or a related field

· Strong interest in data center infrastructure, AI hardware, power electronics, or deep-tech commercialization

Required Skills & Experience

• Prior related internship experience, at a minimum, with a preference for experience in a start-up or similar environment

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, comfortable working with quantitative data

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills

• Ability to create clear, structured presentations and written materials

• Comfortable with collaborating across technical and non-technical teams

• Familiarity with semiconductors, power electronics, or data centers is a plus but not required

• Self-motivated, organized, and comfortable working in a fast-paced startup environment

Values & Culture Fit

Vertical Semiconductor is seeking an intern/co-op who is not only capable of accelerating the technical vision of the company but is also willing to get involved in the day-to-day execution of a startup. The ideal candidate is someone who enjoys tackling complex engineering challenges, is comfortable with a hands-on approach in a collaborative arena and thrives in a startup environment where they can make an immediate impact. We value integrity, initiative, problem-solving, creativity and a passion for creating transformative technology that can change industries and improve the world.

Compensation

This is a paid, part-time fall internship. Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. The hiring team is open to candidates pursuing a master’s or bachelor’s degree.