Network Engineer (SkillBridge Intern)

About the Role

This is an UNPAID internship through the DoD SkillBridge Program for transitioning active-duty US military personnel. This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII’s Mission Technologies division. The goal is to gain hands-on experience in designing, planning, implementing, testing, and sustaining enterprise networks within Warfare Systems environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and document network system schematics that meet capacity, security, and future-growth requirements.
• Conduct network testing and troubleshoot connectivity and performance issues across LAN, MAN, and WAN environments.
• Support hardware and software selection recommendations tailored to mission needs.
• Integrate and test complex, large-scale, computer-integrated networks.
• Evaluate and report on emerging network technologies to enhance capabilities.
• Configure and manage network devices: routers, switches, firewalls, gateways, and interconnections.
• Support cloud network integrations with AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud Platform.
• Communicate design proposals and technical findings effectively to stakeholders.
• Build professional relationships within the Warfare Systems team.
• Complete and present a capstone network architecture project demonstrating end-to-end mastery.

Program of Instruction (3-4 month target)

• Phase 1: Orientation (Weeks 1–3)
• Establish baseline knowledge of HII, TS/SCI protocols, and core network concepts.
• Facility orientation; TS/SCI handling; meet network/security teams.
• Review LAN/MAN/WAN schematics; hardware/software inventories; capacity planning.
• Set up lab (virtualization, simulation tools); access config management systems.
• Phase 2: Technical Learning (Weeks 4–7)
• Build applied skills in design, implementation, and testing.
• Create network diagrams; specify hardware/software; plan capacity/security.
• Configure routers, switches, firewalls; deploy VLANs; establish routing protocols.
• Develop/execute test plans; troubleshoot LAN/MAN/WAN issues.
• Intro to Python/Ansible; automate backups, rollouts, and tasks.
• Phase 3: Integration (Weeks 8–10)
• Transition to integrated operations and strategic evaluation.
• Implement firewall rules/ACLs; apply segmentation and threat mitigation.
• Plan/test AWS/Azure/GCP connectivity; deploy hybrid components.
• Research SD-WAN, NFV, intent-based networking; compile evaluation report.
• Phase 4: Capstone (Weeks 11–12)
• Deliver final project and prepare for transition.
• Draft comprehensive network proposal with schematics, test plans, and security design.
• Present deliverables; host Q&A; conduct exit interview; outline post-internship roadmap.
• Phase 5: Advanced Ops (Weeks 13–16)
• Move into operational leadership, collaboration, and innovation.
• Simulated mission exercise under constraints.
• Partner with Warfare Systems Engineering; red-team/blue-team exercise; after-action report.
• Shadow senior engineers; mentor junior staff; create “quick start” guide for future interns.
• Finalize DoD IAT II/III prep; build career roadmap; reflect with leadership on lessons learned.

Requirements & Tech Stack

• Active-Duty Military ONLY within final 180 days of active-duty service.
• Applications accepted within final 12 months of US Military active-duty service.
• Proficient in network hardware/software evaluation, configuration, performance tuning, and integration testing.
• Effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills; works solo or in teams.
• Strong analytical research and problem-solving.
• Active DoD Top Secret/SCI (TS/SCI) clearance.
• Travel: 0-10%

Qualifications

• Bachelors in CS, IT/Systems, engineering, or related + 2 yrs relevant experience; or HS + 6 yrs.
• 2+ yrs designing, building, and supporting LAN/MAN/WAN.
• Preferred: Ability to create rack drawings and L2/L3 network diagrams.
• Preferred: IAT Level II.
• Preferred: Familiarity with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP).