Overview

The empirical internship program is a best-in-class experience. It provides students the unique opportunity to work in a privately held, leading edge, manufacturing technology company. Our internship program helps us to identify future leaders as well as provide an opportunity for interns to experience our culture and see the variety of career paths available at empirical.

Internships are temporary summer positions that last approximately 10-12 weeks. Each intern will be assigned a project(s) affording the opportunity to actively contribute to the manufacturing organization and build a comprehensive understanding of their desired field.

Throughout the internship, you will have the chance to work with our internal teams on the assigned projects as well as meet with upper management to reflect on your personal and professional development.

If applicable, all interns will be considered for full-time positions based on their performance over the course of their internship. Housing provided when needed. Empirical arranges various intern activities including sporting events, dinners, team lunches, etc. to provide opportunities for socializing, professional development, and learning more about the company.

Responsibilities

Under general supervision you will develop software programs, applications, and websites.
Participate in review of software, application, or website development requirements and specifications to meet functionality and design needs.
Support the continuous improvement of software and application programs for optimized productivity.
Participate in projects that include cross-functional departments.
Cross training in multiple departments to gain an understanding of how multiple departments work together on various projects.
Review and develop technical documentation and procedures.
Ability to perform all essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodation.
Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills and Abilities

General computer knowledge and proficiency.
Basic knowledge of programming languages, such as SQL, C#, .NET Core, React.

Demonstrated Competencies

Attention to detail, self-directed, and able to function in a multi-task team environment.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Ability to communicate with all levels of employees as necessary, both in written or verbal form.

Must have regular and punctual attendance.

Physical Requirements

Office setting.

Experience: Basic experience in application development and programming.Education: Currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in related discipline.Department: Systems Automation

About the company

Empirical Foods processes beef to produce lean ground beef and other protein products for food service and retail. It uses an in-house proprietary process that warms beef trimmings, centrifuges fat, and treats the product to kill bacteria to yield about 95% lean ground beef. They also offer boxed beef and pork, portioned steaks and roasts, and fully cooked seasoned items under brands like Noble Valley, Two Rivers Meat Co, and Dos Rios Taco Meat. They differentiate themselves by owning the technology to turn by-products into high-value protein and serving large packers, ground beef producers, fast-food chains, and grocers, with capacity expansion including a new plant in Garden City, Kansas.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Dakota Dunes, South Dakota

Founded

N/A

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Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Garden City opened April 8, 2026, adding more than 250 jobs and new volume.
Record-high beef prices strengthen Empirical’s pitch for cheaper lean ground beef.
Phase II at Garden City targets 80 million pounds annually if demand supports it.

What critics are saying

USDA forecast tighter calf supplies in late 2026 squeeze Empirical’s input volumes.
Ground beef remains haunted by pink slime stigma, threatening restaurant and retail demand.
A major food-safety incident at Dakota Dunes or Garden City would devastate the brand.

What makes Empirical Foods unique

Garden City’s 280,000-square-foot plant doubled lean ground beef capacity in 2026.
Empirical’s proprietary centrifuge process extracts 95% lean beef from trimmings, not cattle expansion.
Forty-five years of technology claim 21 extra pounds of beef per head.

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Benefits

Flexible Work Hours

Empirical Foods

Software Engineer Intern - Summer 2027

About the job