Business Development Intern – USAF / Space Force

NALEJ; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 13,000 - 20,000; Full time

Job summary

NALEJ.ai is seeking a motivated Business Development Intern to support its go-to-market strategy within USAF and USSF customer segments. This role involves identifying, researching, and nurturing contract opportunities with program offices and acquisition hubs.

You will build a pipeline, draft capability briefs, and assist in meetings, utilizing GovTribe, SAM.gov, and HubSpot CRM while collaborating with Corporate Operations leadership.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a business, public policy, national security, or related program.
• George Mason University students preferred.
• Strong interest in U.S. defense and government contracting.
• Proficiency with MS Office; CRM experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Focus BD outreach and opportunity research on USAF and USSF program offices.
• Identify and research government contract opportunities using GovTribe, SAM.gov, and OSINT.
• Build and maintain a pipeline in HubSpot CRM with accurate records.
• Draft capability briefs, white papers, and introductory materials for branch priorities.
• Schedule and prepare for government outreach meetings and engagements.
• Monitor solicitations and RFIs relevant to the assigned branch.
• Collaborate with GTM Ops and BD team for pipeline reporting.
• Research stakeholders and contracting vehicles relevant to the branch.
• Provide weekly status updates and pipeline summaries to leadership.

Skills

Communication

Independent work

Proposal writing

Education

Undergraduate/Graduate student

George Mason University student preferred

Tools

HubSpot CRM

GovTribe

SAM.gov

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Summary

NALEJ.ai is seeking a motivated Business Development Intern to support its go-to-market strategy within the United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Space Force (USSF) customer segments. This intern will play a key role in identifying, researching, and nurturing potential contract opportunities with relevant program offices, contracting commands, and acquisition hubs. Working closely with Corporate Operations leadership, the intern will gain hands‑on experience in defense business development, government contracting, and CRM‑driven pipeline management.

Responsibilities

• Focus BD outreach and opportunity research on USAF and USSF program offices, including AFRL, AFWERX, SpaceWERX, and Space Systems Command.

• Identify and research prospective government contract opportunities within the assigned branch focus area using GovTribe, SAM.gov, and open-source intelligence.

• Build and maintain a pipeline of leads and opportunities within HubSpot CRM, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records.

• Support the development of capability briefs, white papers, and introductory materials tailored to the assigned branch's priorities and procurement language.

• Assist in scheduling and preparing for government outreach meetings, industry days, and pre-solicitation engagements.

• Monitor solicitations, Sources Sought notices, and Requests for Information (RFIs) relevant to the assigned branch.

• Collaborate with the GTM Ops Intern and BD team to ensure consistent pipeline reporting and follow-up cadence.

• Research key stakeholders, program offices, and contracting vehicles relevant to the assigned branch.

• Provide weekly status updates and pipeline summaries to the Corporate Operations and CEO.

Job Requirements / Skills

• Currently enrolled in a Business, Public Policy, National Security, or related undergraduate/graduate program; George Mason University students preferred.

• Foundational understanding of or strong interest in U.S. defense and government contracting.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); CRM experience a plus.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise professional materials.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research tasks simultaneously.

• Security clearance not required; ability and willingness to pursue clearance upon potential conversion to FTE/PTE is preferred.

• Comfort working in a fast-paced, startup-like environment within the defense technology sector.

Key Tasks

• Map key USAF and Space Force acquisition programs, contracting vehicles, and innovation hubs (e.g., AFWERX, SpaceWERX, DIU) relevant to NALEJ's capabilities.

• Conduct weekly opportunity scanning on SAM.gov and GovTribe for new solicitations and pre-solicitation notices.

• Log and update all leads, contacts, and opportunities in HubSpot CRM on a regular cadence.

• Draft one-pagers and capability summaries tailored to specific program office requirements.

• Research and map relevant contracting vehicles (e.g., GWACs, IDIQs, OTAs) applicable to the assigned branch.

• Attend and summarize relevant industry days, webinars, and government engagement events.

• Prepare weekly pipeline reports for review by the Corporate Operations lead and CEO.

Learning Outcomes

1. Gain hands‑on experience in defense business development, government contracting research, and opportunity qualification for USAF and Space Force customer segments.

2. Develop a working understanding of USAF and USSF acquisition organizations, including AFRL, AFWERX, SpaceWERX, Space Systems Command, and related innovation pathways.

3. Build practical skills in GovTribe, SAM.gov, HubSpot CRM, open-source market research, stakeholder mapping, and pipeline documentation.

4. Practice translating air and space mission priorities into concise capability summaries, one-pagers, and executive-ready opportunity briefs.

5. Learn how disciplined CRM hygiene, weekly reporting, and cross‑team coordination support a scalable go‑to‑market function.

Measures of Success

1. A current and usable USAF/Space Force opportunity pipeline is maintained in HubSpot with accurate contacts, opportunity notes, next steps, and follow-up status.

2. Key USAF and Space Force organizations, acquisition channels, innovation programs, and contracting vehicles are mapped in a way that supports leadership decision-making.

3. Weekly opportunity scans and pipeline summaries are delivered on time and include clear prioritization, not just raw listings.

4. Capability summaries and one-pagers are tailored to relevant USAF/Space Force mission needs and procurement language.

5. The intern demonstrates reliability, sound judgment, strong writing, and the ability to operate in a fast‑moving defense technology environment.