Systems Engineering Intern

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Strategic Division (SD) supports high-reliability organizations including Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, and the Department of Energy (DOE), among others. Our support across our client base is expanding rapidly and encompasses important services, such as data analytics and visualization, threat analysis, risk management, modeling and simulation, cost estimating, earned value management, program management, system engineering, independent evaluation, and High Consequence Event prevention.

SPA's Strategic Division's Strategic Development Group (SDG) supports critical U.S. government programs engineering support, systems safety support, financial analysis support as well as security policy, compliance, and assessments. SDG has an immediate need for a Systems Engineering Intern to support the Navy's Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) organization's Fire Control and Guidance Branch.

Timeline for intern selection:

• Applications can be submitted and will be reviewed until 5 December 2025.
• Interviews will begin on 15 December and will conclude on 9 January 2026.
• Offers/decisions will be extended starting 12 January.

The SPA intern will be part of a cohort of first and second year interns providing on-site support to SPA's Navy customer, Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) organization's Fire Control and Guidance Branch. Intern positions will start in May 2026. Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern.

Interns work under the overall cognizance of a SPA manager while receiving specific, daily tasking from their government mentor in the SSP Fire Control and Guidance branch. Tasks are related to the management of the Navy's Fleet Ballistic Missile (FBM) program and include administrative, organizational, and management functions. A technical knowledge base will help in accomplishing daily tasks. Specifically, interns will:

* Fulfill tasks set out by a government mentor in support of the assigned branch's technical function.
* Organize and attend meetings related to the branch's technical function.
* Perform technical research.
* Draft, reviews and/or edit documents.
* Travel for design reviews with supporting organizations.
* Complete a summer project.
* Attend weekly SPA informational round-tables and working lunches with SPA leadership.

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with ability to obtain and maintain a DoD SECRET clearance.
• Must be able to work on-site at a government facility in the Washington Navy Yard.
• At least 2 years of undergraduate/Bachelor'ss or one year of graduate/Master's experience in an Engineering program (Electrical, Mechanical, Systems, or other closely related track) by the start of the internship.
• Must be able to conduct travel in the U.S. for three multiple-day trips during the summer internship period. Travel expenses are reimbursed.
• Must be able to function well in a fast-paced environment, with excellent verbal and written communication skills and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite or related software apps.
  

Desired Qualifications:

• Desire to work with DoD acquisition documentation.
• Participation in a college design team.
• Program or project management certification.
• Coursework on CAMEO, SysML, ExtendSim, MBSE.
• Coursework in optics.