We’ve already taken a look at Kiva, a San Francisco based microfinance non-profit, but today we’re going to take a look at Kiva Systems, a Woburn, MA based logistics and robotics company. They were ranked #6 on the Inc. 5000 this year by growing from $204,000 in revenue in 2005 to $21.4 million in revenue in 2008. That’s 10,399.0%, which is just insane. Their growth is coming from the online shopping revolution, even though they’re not an e-commerce company. This is due to the fact that their automated order fulfillment systems are huge efficiency boosters for warehouse operations. It’s hard to imagine how a Kiva Mobile Fulfillment System works, but once you see the video below, you’ll totally get it—and you will be amazed.

Kiva’s Magic Job Shelf

Since there’s no better way to understand what Kiva Systems does than to watch one of their systems in action, I’ve scrounged up a video to demonstrate what they’re all about (e-mail readers please click through to watch).

As you can see, Kiva Systems has developed technology that is changing the way fulfillment happens without completely ridding the process of humans. They’ve worked with names like Zappos, Walgreens, and Diapers.com, and that client list is just going to keep growing. They’ve only been around since 2003, so Kiva Systems is still a very young company, which means that there couldn’t be a better time to get in than now. They’re one of the most fascinating companies that I’ve come across in my nearly two years of profiling companies, and they’re looking to hire lots of young talent. Although they don’t specifically mention co-ops or internships on their site, they do have a special Jobs page for college students/grads that describes that they’re looking for. A little research turned up the fact that they do offer internships and co-ops, but you’ll have to pursue more information on your own. Opportunities should be available for engineers on their Software, Hardware, and Manufacturing Teams, as well as on their Professional Services and Customer Experience Teams. You can get in touch with Kiva Systems by e-mailing your résumé and cover letter to jobs@kivasystems.com. Unlike items in a warehouse with a Kiva Mobile Fulfillment System, these internships aren’t going to bring themselves to you, so get to work!

Links to Help You Begin Your Research

• KivaSystems.com
• Careers at Kiva Systems
• College Recruiting at Kiva Systems
• About Kiva Systems
• Kiva Systems’ History
• Management at Kiva Systems
• Kiva Systems’ Investors

What do you think about Kiva Systems?

Don’t get freaked out, but imagine an earthquake. Part of the building that you’re in collapses and you’re injured. There’s no way for you to get out, and there’s no safe way in for a rescue team. It’s too dangerous to send people in to get you out, but your injuries are life threatening. You need medical attention ASAP. Luckily, there’s a BEAR. No, not a trained wild animal (although that’s almost a good idea), but a “versatile, humanoid robot capable of lifting
and carrying humans and other items over 600 lbs.” This isn’t some fantasy. It’s a reality because of Vecna Technologies, a high-tech startup whose corporate mandate is “Better Technology, Better World.” They’re based in Greenbelt, MD, but they also have offices in Skyline, VA; Cambridge, MA; and Silicon Valley, CA. Robotics like those found in the BEAR is just one sliver of the things they’re doing to put technology to amazing uses.

Better Technology. Better Internships.

Since Vecna works in so many different areas, I’m going to use their words to tell you more about what they do:

Vecna is the driving force on important and exciting projects such as designing cutting edge health care infrastructure and life-saving AI software for hospitals around the world, helping NIH with genomics research, providing high-tech consulting to government and commercial clients, and building enterprise web-based systems. Vecna’s robotics division is making history with the BEAR robot and is rolling out several new robotic products. The breadth of our projects keeps work fun and challenging for the whole team.

It’s really cool stuff, and if you want a more detailed look at what they do, you can check out all of their Solutions.

What about jobs? There are quite a few of them, and Vecna Technologies does a great job of selling themselves as an employer. Their Careers page has a ton of information – even a link to a page that asks Is Vecna Right for You? and a rundown of the hiring process. After checking that out, you’ll probably want to take a look at Vecna’s Current Job and Internship Openings. Right now they have two internship opportunities available. One is in Software Engineering in the Boston or DC area, and it appears to be paid. The other is an unpaid Robotics Engineering internship in the Boston area. You can apply online, so check out Vecna and see if they’re a good fit for you.

Links to Help You Begin Your Research

• Vecna.com
• Jobs and Internships at Vecna Tecnologies
• About Vecna Technologies
• Vecna’s Solutions
• Vecna’s Hiring Process
• Is Vecna Right for You?
• Vecna’s Team

How cool is the BEAR?