Skillbridge Intern - Autonomous Systems & Business Operations

The Mission Essential Group, LLC; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 67,000; Full time

Job summary

The Mission Essential Group, LLC in Fairfax, VA offers a DoD SkillBridge Fellow opportunity focused on Autonomous Systems Strategy & Business Operations. The 60-day program runs in a hybrid capacity with reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and collaboration with the executive leadership team.

You will conduct market research, evaluate requirements, analyze competitors, and explore partnerships to shape MISs expansion into autonomous systems for US Government and allied nations.

Qualifications

• Current U.S. military Service Member approved for participation in the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program.
• Honorably serving on Active Duty and within authorized transition period.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Strong analytical and writing abilities.
• Interest in defense business operations, autonomous systems, and strategic planning.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market research and evaluate emerging operational requirements.
• Assess domestic and international competitors and analyze options.
• Identify strategic partnerships and sustainable competitive advantages.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to translate strategy into programs.
• Deliver recommendations to support growth in autonomous systems.

Skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

Written communication

Organizational skills

Independent research

Strategic planning

Presentation skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Defense technology interest

MS Office proficiency

Job description

The DoD SkillBridge Fellow - Autonomous Systems Strategy & Business Operations is a structured sixty (60) day professional development opportunity for a transitioning U.S. military Service Member participating in the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program. This is a hybrid role with ability to report into our Fairfax, VA office.

Working directly for the Chief Operating Officer and in collaboration with Mission Essential's executive leadership team, the Fellow will gain practical experience across the operational, strategic, and business functions of a mid-sized international defense contractor. The fellowship is designed to provide firsthand exposure to the complete business lifecycle associated with identifying, developing, manufacturing, marketing, selling, and supporting autonomous systems and counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capabilities for the United States Government, NATO, and allied nations.

The Fellow will conduct market research, evaluate emerging operational requirements, assess domestic and international competitors, analyze manufacturing and industrial base options, identify strategic partnerships, and recommend areas where Mission Essential can establish sustainable competitive advantages. Throughout the fellowship, the participant will work closely with senior leadership and cross-functional departments to understand how strategy is translated into successful government programs and long-term business growth.

The position emphasizes business operations, strategic planning, executive decision-making, defense acquisition, and organizational leadership rather than engineering or product development. Upon completion of the fellowship, the participant will deliver recommendations that support Mission Essential's strategic expansion into the autonomous systems marketplace while gaining valuable experience applicable to future leadership positions within the defense industry.

• Current U.S. military Service Member approved for participation in the Department of Defense SkillBridge Program.
• Honorably serving on Active Duty and within authorized transition period.
• Demonstrated leadership experience.
• Strong analytical and writing abilities.
• Interest in defense business operations, autonomous systems, and strategic planning.

In addition, the successful candidate should
demonstrate:

• Strong
  leadership potential.
• Outstanding
  written and verbal communication abilities.
• Strong
  organizational skills.
• Ability
  to conduct independent research.
• Ability
  to synthesize technical, operational, and business information.
• Professional
  judgment and discretion.
• Strong
  presentation skills.
• Ability
  to work effectively across multiple functional organizations.
• Interest
  in defense technology and government contracting.
• Proficiency
  with Microsoft Office applications.