Are you currently in your pre-final year of engineering and eagerly waiting for off-campus opportunities for the 2026 batch? If you love writing code in Java and actively experiment with modern AI developer tools like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, or ChatGPT, this opportunity is tailor-made for you. Enterprise procurement leader Zycus has opened applications for the position of AI-Native Java Engineer – Graduate Trainee based out of their Bengaluru office.
This is not just another standard trainee developer position. Zycus is specifically looking for students who want to combine traditional software engineering with the next wave of agentic AI workflows. Let us break down everything you need to know about the company, the eligibility criteria, key skills, and the complete application roadmap.
Quick Job Overview
About Zycus and Merlin AI
Zycus is an established global pioneer in Source-to-Pay (S2P) procurement software. Large multinational corporations and Fortune 1000 organizations count on Zycus to manage their supplier spend, automate invoicing, handle contract lifecycles, and streamline complex business operations. Over the last two decades, Zycus has earned widespread acclaim from global research analysts including Gartner, IDC, and Forrester for product capabilities and customer satisfaction.
What makes this hiring cycle special is their focus on Merlin AI. Merlin AI is Zycus’ flagship agentic AI platform that powers autonomous decision-making across enterprise procurement. Rather than treating artificial intelligence as a simple add-on feature, the engineering teams are rebuilding their products around an AI-native core. Joining Zycus means you will be building software at a workplace where intelligent agents and automated pipelines are woven into everyday engineering.
What Does an AI-Native Java Engineer Do?
The tech world is shifting rapidly. Companies now want developers who do not just write standard boilerplate code, but who actively utilize AI productivity tools to ship clean code much faster. At Zycus, you will work side-by-side with senior architects across three core tracks:
- AI-Augmented Engineering: You will routinely utilize AI copilots, code generators, and conversational agents for writing unit tests, scaffolding projects, debugging edge cases, and generating technical documentation. You will also learn practical prompt engineering techniques tailored for software delivery.
- Enterprise Backend Engineering: You will write robust, high-performance backend services using Java and Spring Boot. You will build and consume RESTful APIs, interact with relational and NoSQL databases, structure complex database schemas, and participate in peer code reviews.
- AI-Aware System Design: You will gain hands-on visibility into how enterprise systems communicate with Large Language Models (LLMs) and agentic workflows. You will design APIs that enable AI agents to perform real-world transactional tasks securely and reliably.
Strict Eligibility Criteria
Zycus maintains a strict set of academic standards for this graduate intake. Please review the details below before applying to save yourself time:
- Eligible Batch: Only students graduating in the year 2026 are eligible.
- Educational Qualifications: BE / B.Tech degrees in Computer Science, Information Technology, Electronics & Communication, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Data Science, or aligned engineering streams.
- Academic Scores: Minimum 80% or equivalent CGPA (typically 8.0+ out of 10) across Class 10th, Class 12th / Diploma, and in your current engineering semester records.
- Backlog Policy: Strictly no active backlogs and zero history of backlogs or arrears throughout your academic journey.
- Location & Work Mode: Bengaluru, with a hybrid work setup (candidates must be open to working from the Bengaluru office).
Required Technical Skills and Desirable Traits
While freshers receive onboarding support and mentorship, having clear foundational knowledge is essential to pass the interview rounds:
- Strong Computer Science Foundations: Rock-solid grasp over Data Structures & Algorithms, Object-Oriented Programming (OOP) concepts, Database Management Systems (DBMS), Operating Systems, and Computer Networks.
- Java Proficiency: Good hands-on coding capabilities in core Java (Collections, Multithreading, Exception Handling, Streams) or a comparable modern object-oriented language.
- Web and Backend Basics: Elementary understanding of web services, HTTP methods, REST APIs, and frameworks like Spring or Spring Boot.
- Databases & Git: Ability to write SQL queries (joins, indexing basics) and everyday Git commands (branching, merging, pull requests).
- Bonus Credentials: Candidates who have built personal side projects using LLM APIs, contributed to open-source software, participated in hackathons, or earned ranks in competitive programming will have a noticeable advantage.
Hiring Process: What to Expect
While the hiring team can modify stages depending on volume, the typical evaluation process for freshers at Zycus includes:
- Resume Shortlisting: Screening resumes against the 80% academic threshold, relevant technical projects, and demonstrated AI tool usage.
- Online Technical Assessment: A proctored coding test featuring standard DSA problems (arrays, strings, trees, hashing) along with multiple-choice questions on CS fundamentals.
- Technical Interview (1 or 2 rounds): In-depth discussion on your college projects, core Java fundamentals, database design, problem-solving approaches, and how you integrate AI tools into your coding routine.
- HR & Fitment Discussion: Interaction covering cultural alignment, communication skills, learning readiness, and operational policies.
Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply
Applying for this opportunity takes just a couple of minutes. Follow these simple steps:
- Keep an updated PDF copy of your resume ready (under 5 MB). Make sure your 10th, 12th, and current CGPA percentages are stated clearly.
- Highlight any projects where you built backend microservices, used Java/Spring Boot, or worked with AI APIs.
- Click the official link below, fill in your personal contact details, answer the pre-screening questions accurately, and submit your application.
Note: Job opportunities on career portals can close at any time once applicant quotas are reached. We strongly recommend submitting your application as early as possible.