DoW SkillBridge Forward Deployed Engineer Intern

Position Title: DoW Forward Deployed Engineer Intern

Location: Hybrid to Joint Base Lewis McChord

Clearance Requirement: Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility

Employment type: SkillBridge Internship

Research Innovations, Inc. (RII) is breaking through the big, slow, status quo with transformative technology that fundamentally changes and improves the world. We develop cutting-edge software for all levels of the government and military. Using agile development practices and user-centered design, we create innovative software solutions for complex real-world problems.

We are looking for a Skill Bridge Intern to learn the Forward Deployed Engineer position with our CJADC2 business area. This role requires a candidate to be approved for Skillbridge or Career Skills internship programs through their respective branch of the military. You will learn to be the technical engine bridging the front lines of defense with our engineering teams. Your mission is to build, code, and architect high-stakes software directly in the operational environment. You don't just bridge the gap—you translate complex, messy operational requirements into stable software solutions, while simultaneously serving as the systems architect responsible for data ontology, schema coordination, and engineering requirements that define our platform's integration strategy.

This position requires an active U.S.Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility.

WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING

• Learn to architect and design scalable solutions for complex, high-stakes technical problems in both cloud and disconnected, tactical edge environments.
• Develop custom, high-impact applications (Python, Java, C++, TypeScript) to bridge legacy limitations, while concurrently architecting stable data pipelines and defining schema ontologies for large-scale integration.
• Decompose mission-critical operational workflows into clear, deliberate technical requirements and engineering specs that drive the development of scalable, secure product features. Collaborate with internal engineering teams to drive projects from initial ideation and prototyping through to full-scale, secure deployment.
• Learn to lead systems integration efforts, linking modern software to legacy military C2 and targeting platforms, and troubleshooting system-of-systems architecture at the tactical edge.
• Rapidly iterate on solutions based on direct user feedback, maintaining a high pain threshold to deliver measurable, real-world value.

WHAT YOU HAVE DONE

• 1+ years of relevant, post-college software engineering or development experience.
• Strong systems engineering background—with the ability to draft technical specs and manage system-wide data models—alongside a robust foundation in Computer Science or Software Engineering.
• Proven proficiency as a coder in one or more modern programming languages, and demonstrated experience in systems integration, schema design, or data modeling within complex environments.
• Demonstrated ability to build, deploy, and maintain software solutions that handle data, logic, and operational complexity. Experience engaging with non-technical stakeholders or mission users to turn abstract requirements into concrete code.
• History of success in unstructured, rapidly evolving environments where initiative and high-quality output are required.

EVEN BETTER

• Advanced expertise in data structures, storage systems, cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure), and container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes).
• Practical experience working with large-scale data and applying AI/ML libraries to address practical operational challenges. Hands-on experience developing in disconnected (DDIL), air-gapped, or tactical edge environments.
• Deep curiosity about the underlying technical architecture and a "low ego" approach that values the mission outcome over personal recognition.

At RII, we believe that diversity in our workforce is critical to our success. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. We work to help your intellectual passions and creativity thrive. It’s one of our core values: Let your geek flag fly.

We also offer all employees comprehensive benefits including: flexible work schedules, health insurance coverage, paid time off, 401k with a company match, paid parental leave, access to wellness programs and much more. You get this all from day one, and all paid for by RII.

It’s all part of another of our core values: Stay human. It’s why our comfortable and colorful offices such as our headquarters, include a community game room, pantry, massage chair, and an escape room, among other amenities. It’s why we have community ambassadors and regular community events.

Research Innovations, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, disability status, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal or local law.

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