Merit, Hire engineers based on simulated work (applymerit.com)

Merit has launched its Immersive Engineering Externship, designed to enhance the hiring process by allowing participants to gain real-world experience in a simulated work environment. This program focuses on collaborative projects in software, AI, and data, enabling applicants to showcase their abilities through a four-week sprint. Participants work in teams, engaging in tasks such as managing existing codebases, handling tickets, and collaborating using professional tools, while employers can evaluate their performance based on how effectively they execute and communicate within a realistic engineering setting. This initiative is significant for the AI/ML community as it addresses the inadequacies of traditional hiring practices, which often rely on resumes and interviews that fail to accurately reflect a candidate’s practical skills and teamwork capabilities. By emphasizing real-world execution and collaboration, Merit not only provides participants with valuable experience but also creates a transparent hiring process for companies. The externship opens applications for various tracks such as software engineering this October, with data and machine learning tracks available from January 2027, all aimed at equipping individuals with the skills and experience needed to thrive in tech roles.