Vngle (Editorial CMS Engineer Intern) | DivInc

This is a role with a startup in the Blackstone LaunchPad internship program, through this company’s relationship with LaunchPad partner, DivInc. 

Please note all hiring decisions are made by each applicable company. Students are encouraged to conduct their own research and diligence on each employer and on any internship opportunity offered by any employer. Learn more about DivInc here

This is a role with a startup in the Blackstone LaunchPad internship program, through this company’s relationship with LaunchPad partner, DivInc. Learn more about DivInc here. Please note all hiring and employment-related decisions, including compensation and the terms and conditions of employment, are made by each applicable company. Students are encouraged to conduct their own research and diligence on each employer and on any internship opportunity offered by any employer.
 

About the program:

Blackstone LaunchPad is committed to equipping primarily first generation and low-income college students with career skills and exposure for career success. Learn more here. The Blackstone LaunchPad Summer Internship Program connects students to meaningful opportunities at Blackstone and LaunchPad employer partners: Blackstone portfolio companies and select startups. Please note all hiring and employment-related decisions, including compensation and the terms and conditions of employment, are made by each applicable company. Students are encouraged to conduct their own research and diligence on each employer and on any internship opportunity offered by any employer.

All hired interns receive mentorship and access to professional development opportunities to successfully launch their careers. Begin your journey with LaunchPad now by engaging in our Skills for Success series.

About Vngle: The Grassroots News & Intelligence Agency:

Vngle is reinventing the future of news and intelligence by bringing real, on-the-ground stories to the forefront of national conversations. As a nonpartisan grassroots news agency, we’re on a mission to bridge information gaps and cut through misinformation by equipping policymakers, civic institutions, and newsrooms with verified insights straight from communities across America. Using a decentralized reporting model and patented digital forensics technology, we ensure unfiltered, credible coverage that goes beyond traditional media narratives.

At Vngle, we’re not just reporting the news—we’re reshaping how the nation understands itself. We empower everyday people to be part of the story, giving voice to the unheard and uncovering the realities shaping America’s future. If you're a bold, curious, and driven innovator looking to make an impact, this is your chance to be part of a movement redefining journalism and civic intelligence for the next generation.

Position Overview:

Vngle is building the future of grassroots journalism, ensuring trusted, nonpartisan news is accessible across communities. As our Editorial CMS Engineer Intern, you’ll help develop and refine our newswire CMS system, empowering editors to efficiently manage and track the growing content inventory.

In this role, you'll focus on backend development to support content revision tracking, provenance records, and editorial workflows, while ensuring an intuitive user experience for digital content editors. This is a hands-on, fast-paced opportunity for a technically skilled engineer who wants to work at the intersection of journalism, content management, and automation.
 

Responsibilities

• Develop Backend Systems: Design and maintain scalable backend infrastructure for Vngle’s newswire CMS using PHP (Drupal), Python (Django/Flask), Node.js, or Ruby on Rails.
• Manage Content Revisions & Provenance: Implement version control mechanisms, metadata tracking, and audit logs to track content changes and maintain editorial integrity.
• Optimize Editorial Workflow: Enhance workflow automation tools to streamline content approval, revision tracking, and publishing processes.
• Improve CMS User Experience: Collaborate with editors to refine the CMS interface, ensuring efficiency, simplicity, and seamless navigation.
• Database & API Management: Design PostgreSQL, MySQL, or MongoDB schemas for efficient content retrieval, archiving, and categorization. Develop RESTful or GraphQL APIs for integration with editorial tools.
• Enhance Security & Permissions: Implement role-based access control (RBAC) and security measures to protect sensitive editorial data.
• Work with Drupal CMS: If applicable, assist in customizing and extending Drupal-based CMS solutions to meet editorial needs.
• Collaborate with Cross-Functional Teams: Work alongside journalists, designers, and engineers to align CMS features with real-world newsroom needs.
   

Qualifications

We’re looking for a proactive problem solver passionate about backend development, digital publishing, and user-centered design.

Must-Haves:

• Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Computer Science, Software Engineering, or a related field.
• Proficiency in backend development using PHP (Drupal), Python (Django/Flask), Node.js, or Ruby on Rails.
• Strong database management skills (PostgreSQL, MySQL, MongoDB).
• Knowledge of version control & revision history management (Git-based versioning, blockchain, or audit logs).
• Experience with RESTful or GraphQL APIs for system integration.
• Basic understanding of frontend development (React, Vue.js, or Svelte) to optimize CMS usability.
• Ability to problem-solve, iterate quickly, and work in a fast-paced environment.

Bonus Points If You Have:

• Experience with Drupal CMS using PHP (huge plus) or have experience with  WordPress, Strapi, Ghost, or other headless CMS solutions.
• Knowledge of automation tools for editorial workflows.
• Familiarity with AI-driven content analysis and recommendation systems.
• Passion for journalism, newsroom technology, and media innovation.

What You’ll Gain

• Real-World Impact: Help shape the technology that powers grassroots journalism, making trusted news more accessible.
• Technical Growth: Gain experience in backend engineering, API development, and content workflow automation.
• Cross-Disciplinary Experience: Work alongside journalists, designers, and developers to solve editorial challenges.
• Hands-On Mentorship: Get guidance from industry experts in digital media, software engineering, and news technology.
• Portfolio-Boosting Work: Build a scalable, real-world CMS system used by journalists across the country.