About OptiRide: OptiRide is India's first driver-first ride aggregation platform - built to put more of every fare back into drivers' pockets instead of losing it to high commissions. We're an early-stage startup under Meridtec Systems Private Limited, currently building our driver-side Android app from the ground up. This is a founder-led team, so interns get real ownership, not busywork.

Role Overview: As our Android Engineer Intern, you'll be one of the first engineers on the OptiRide driver app. You'll work directly with the founder to design, build, and ship features that go live to real drivers - not a simulated project.

Responsibilities

- Build and maintain core features of the Android driver app using Kotlin/Java
- Integrate third-party APIs and SDKs for live GPS tracking, ride matching, push notifications, and payments
- Work with local and cloud databases (Room, Firebase Firestore, or similar) to manage ride and driver data
- Optimize app performance for low-end, budget Android devices — critical since many drivers use entry-level phones
- Write clean, maintainable, well-documented code and participate in code reviews
- Debug and fix production issues quickly as the app scales




- Collaborate closely with the UI/UX intern to translate designs into pixel-accurate, functional screens
- Contribute ideas on architecture, tooling, and app structure as an early team member

Requirements:
- Pre-final or final year student from a top college, in Computer Science, IT, or a related field
- Strong fundamentals in Kotlin or Java and hands-on experience with Android Studio
- Understanding of Android app architecture (MVVM/MVI), lifecycle management, and RecyclerViews
- Familiarity with REST APIs, JSON parsing, and basic networking (Retrofit/OkHttp)
- A GitHub profile or portfolio showing at least one real or personal Android project

Nice to have:
- Experience with Google Maps SDK, Firebase (Auth, Firestore, Cloud Messaging)
- Exposure to Jetpack Compose
- Any experience with ride-hailing, logistics, or location-based apps

What you get:
- Real ownership of features used by actual drivers, not a sandbox project
- Direct mentorship from the founder and exposure to early-stage startup building
- Certificate of internship and a Letter of Recommendation on successful completion
- Strong potential for a full time offer or equity-linked role based on performance

📌 Android Engineer Intern (Hyderabad)
🏢 OptiRide
📍 Hyderabad