Systems Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)

Systems Planning and Analysis; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 32,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) invites qualified students to join its Navy SSP Missile Branch internship in Washington, DC.

This 10-week, 40-hour-per-week program runs May 2027 through July or August 2027, with potential remote work at reduced hours during the school year. Interns work under a SPA manager and a government mentor on NAVY FBM tasks, performing admin, organizational, and technical research, drafting documents, and completing a summer project while exploring full-time

Qualifications

• U.S. citizen with ability to obtain DoD Secret clearance.
• Active enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or post-graduate program in engineering, physics, mathematics, operations research, or related technical/policy fields.
• Must have completed at least 2 years of undergraduate experience.
• Must work on-site full-time at a government facility in the Washington Navy Yard, 5 days per week, with multi-day domestic travel as required (fully reimbursed).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly, prioritize tasks, and perform in a fast-paced, mission-focused work environment.

Responsibilities

• Fulfill technical, programmatic, and organizational tasking set out by a government mentor in support of the assigned branch’s business rhythms
• Organize and attend meetings related to the branch’s technical function
• Perform technical research
• Draft, review, and/or edit documents
• Complete a “summer project”
• Attend weekly SPA informational roundtables and working lunches with SPA leadership

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Security clearance (DoD)

On-site work

Education

Engineering, Physics, Math or OR program enrollment

2+ years undergraduate study

Job description

Overview

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.

The Strategic Development Group (SDG) supports critical U.S. government programs providing systems engineering support, systems safety support, financial analysis support as well as security policy, compliance, and assessments. SDG has a need for a summer 2027 intern to support the Navy’s Strategic Systems Programs (SSP), specifically working in support of the organization’s Missile Branch.

Applications can be submitted and will be reviewed until 13 November 2026.

Responsibilities

The SPA intern will be part of a cohort of first-time and returning interns providing on-site support to SPA’s Navy customer, Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). Interns will complete a 10-week, 40 hour per week program starting in May 2027 and concluding in July or August 2027. Interns may be extended the option to work remotely during the school year at a reduced level of effort, approximately 10 hours per week based on school work load. Upon graduation, SPA considers successful interns for full-time employment. Housing and transportation are the responsibility of the intern.

Interns work under the overall cognizance of an SPA manager while receiving specific, daily tasking from their government mentor in the assigned SSP 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 technical, programmatic, and organizational tasking set out by a government mentor in support of the assigned branch’s business rhythms
• Organize and attend meetings related to the branch’s technical function
• Perform technical research
• Draft, review, and/or edit documents
• Complete a “summer project”
• Attend weekly SPA informational roundtables and working lunches with SPA leadership

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance.
• Active enrollment in an accredited undergraduate or post-graduate program in engineering, physics, mathematics, operations research, or related technical/policy fields.
• Must have completed at least 2 years of undergraduate experience.
• Must be able to work on-site full-time at a government facility in the Washington Navy Yard, 5 days per week, and conduct multi-day domestic travel as required (fully reimbursed).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to adapt quickly, prioritize tasks, and perform in a fast-paced, mission-focused work environment.

Desired Qualifications:

• A mechanical, aerospace, electrical, or systems engineering degree with a desire to learn DoD acquisition processes
• Previous internship experience in engineering, design, program management, or related technical industries

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Washington, DC, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $23.00/Hr. - USD $33.00/Hr.