Strategy & Operations (Intern/ Working Student)

🏢 Who we are

A team from Germany with the vision to make advanced network security accessible for everyone

We are a software company developing an open source zero-trust network security platform that is both easy to use and affordable for teams of all sizes and budgets. Our mission is grounded in a simple yet powerful belief: secure private networking is a fundamental right of every modern company.

Since our launch on GitHub in 2021, we have gained trust among thousands of companies seeking secure and seamless solutions for connecting remote employees and infrastructure. By replacing traditional centralized VPNs, NetBird has become a trusted choice for modern network security, connecting today hundreds of thousands of users and machines worldwide. Our open source, community-driven approach has been a key driver of our success. We listen to our users, and their input helps us make network security better for everyone.

Want to see what we're working on? Check out our GitHub repo at https://github.com/netbirdio/netbird or https://netbird.io/knowledge-hub

✏️ What you will do

As a Strategy & Operations Intern at NetBird, you'll work directly with the founding team on important strategic and operational topics of the company. This is a high-impact, hands-on role where you'll help execute across human resources, growth, partnerships, and operations.

You'll get a front-row seat to how a fast-growing open source startup is built, from early-stage strategy to day-to-day execution, and you'll play an active role in shaping how NetBird scales.

Specifically, you will:

• Support the founders with strategic projects across growth, product, and operations.
• Analyze data and create reports to help inform key business and product decisions.
• Support our recruiting and HR operations, from sourcing and coordinating interviews to keeping our candidate pipeline running.
• Research markets, competitors, and customer needs to identify new opportunities and risks.
• Help coordinate and execute cross-team initiatives, ensuring alignment between Product, Growth, and Engineering.
• Take ownership of ad-hoc projects that matter most right now, from testing new GTM ideas to improving internal processes.

🔎 What we are looking for

We're looking for an exceptional student: highly motivated, analytical, and hands-on, with the ambition to learn how to build and scale a tech startup from the inside.

Must-Haves

• You're currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master's program in Business, Economics, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related field.
• A track record of excellence, for example through top academic results or first internships in startups, consulting, VC, or banking.
• You're based in Berlin (or able to relocate) and available to work full-time for at least 4 months.
• You're highly structured, organized, and able to manage multiple topics in parallel.
• You enjoy working with data, building models, and turning insights into action.
• You're proactive, curious, and comfortable operating in ambiguity.
• You have strong written and verbal English skills and can communicate clearly with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

Nice-to-Haves

• You've already built or led something yourself, whether a side project, a student initiative, or a small venture, and you can show what came of it.
• Genuine curiosity for open source, developer tools, and how technical products work under the hood.

😌 What's in for you

We know that happy and supported team members build the best products. That's why we offer:

• Real impact: You'll work on projects that directly influence NetBird's trajectory.
• Direct exposure to founders: Learn how real startup decisions are made from strategy to execution.
• Steep learning curve: Gain hands-on experience across product, growth, and operations.
• Career opportunities: Outstanding interns may have the chance to transition into a permanent role.
• Hybrid work setup: Work from our centrally located Berlin office while enjoying some flexibility for remote days.
• Perks: Enjoy team lunches, events, and access to health and fitness programs (e.g., Wellpass).