For Software Ninjas: Kitware’s Open Source Software Technology Program
In the early 1990s, two of Kitware’s five founders (Ken Martin and I) went through a program at GE called the Software Technology Program (STP). The goal was to create “software ninjas.” Back then, computer science graduates were relatively rare, and GE wanted to build strong software expertise. Their solution was to bring recent undergraduates into the Corporate Research Center, have them work alongside world-renowned computer scientists, and pay them a full salary while also covering the cost of their master’s degree.
I was part of that program, and it had a huge impact on my career. Not only did I earn an MS while being paid, but I was also introduced to scientific computing. There are lots of things you can do with computer software careers. However, in my opinion, advancing science is one of the most rewarding and interesting paths to take. I was essentially able to have my cake and eat it too, by getting a real job with real pay and continuing my education.
Bringing the Idea to Kitware
By 2020, Kitware had grown and matured enough to launch a similar program: the Open Source Software Technology Program (OSTP). Historically, Kitware has hired people who already had an MS or PhD. Our OSTP opened a new talent pool of people who could easily get a job somewhere else and were eager to gain real-world experience.
The idea was simple:
- Hire exceptional recent undergraduates.
- Employ them full-time at Kitware.
- Support them as they earn a master’s degree.
- Immerse them in open source, scientific computing, and real-world projects at Kitware.
Over a 2-3 year period, OSTP participants don’t just earn a degree. They gain hands-on experience with Kitware’s tools, projects, and culture. They also make meaningful contributions to open source software used by researchers, clinicians, engineers, and scientists around the world. At the end of the program, OSTP members are trained experts in Kitware technologies and can contribute at a higher level than recent MS graduates.
Today, we have 12 current and alumni OSTP members at Kitware.
Why OSTP Matters Right Now
I keep hearing how brutal the job market is, especially for students graduating now or who graduated in the past couple of years. Many talented people are struggling to find roles that offer growth, mentorship, and purpose. OSTP isn’t a shortcut or an internship. It’s a real job, real responsibility, real pay, and real impact. Here are some of the exciting projects OSTP members have worked on at Kitware:
Current and former OSTP members often describe the program as career-defining:
Overall, the OSTP is a great opportunity for developers looking to constantly expand their horizons while working for a great company. It’s a fantastic opportunity for new graduates to work on interesting open source projects while continuing their education for free. In addition, members will become part of the Kitware team, which is full of skilled, hardworking, and friendly people.”
I have always known I wanted a higher education than a bachelor’s, but was unsure about how to go about it while still developing a career path. The OSTP program was ideal for me, because it allows me to still support myself, build a career and connections at and outside of Kitware, and to get my graduate degree. Working at Kitware has been instrumental in building my knowledge of real world applications and software processes. More importantly than this, though, it has built my confidence tremendously.”
If you’re a recent graduate (within 1 to 2 years), or about to graduate and are looking for a path that combines:
- Meaningful, mission-driven work,
- Strong technical mentorship,
- Deep experience in open source and scientific computing,
- And a funded master’s degree,
then the Open Source Software Technology Program may be a great fit.
Take a few minutes to learn more, explore the projects we work on, and see if this path resonates with you.
If this isn’t right for you, please consider sharing it with a student or recent graduate who might be looking for exactly this kind of opportunity. Thank you!