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Defense Contractor Intern Jobs in Washington, DC

RBR-Technologies

DoD SkillBridge Intern

Odenton, MD

$16.75 - $22.50/hr

... Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA). RBR-Technologies is committed to serving military ... We will spend time teaching you about contracting, human resources, accounting and IT services so ...

L3Harris

Intern, Contracts

Millersville, MD · On-site

$21 - $41.50/hr

L3Harris is the Trusted Disruptor in defense tech. With customers' mission-critical needs always in ... To be eligible, candidate's must be pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Government Contracting or ...

Vets2PM

DoD SkillBridge - Capture Lead

Arlington, VA · On-site

As a Capture & Business Development Intern, the SkillBridge participant will gain exposure to how ... Federal acquisition processes, including FAR/DFARS and OTA-based contracting. * Developing win ...

Vets2PM

DoD SkillBridge - Capture Lead

Arlington, VA · On-site

... Intern and gain hands-on experience supporting the capture lifecycle, from opportunity ... Federal acquisition processes, including FAR/DFARS and OTA-based contracting. Developing win themes ...

Cogito Innovations

Skillbridge Internship

Charlotte Hall, MD · On-site

$14.25 - $19/hr

This includes providing hands-on training using specialized equipment and software, familiarization with engineering and business processes specific to the defense contracting industry, finding niche ...

InterImage

Marketing Specialist

Arlington, VA · On-site

Social Media & Marketing Intern (Federal-Focused) Company: InterImage Location: Hybrid / Remote (U ... Ensure accuracy, professionalism, and alignment with federal contracting standards Business ...

RBR Technologies

DoD SkillBridge Intern

Odenton, MD · On-site

$16.75 - $22.50/hr

... Defense (DoD), and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).RBR-Technologies is committed to ... We will spend time teaching you about contracting, human resources, accounting and IT services so ...

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All JobsDefense Contractor Intern JobsDefense Contractor Intern Jobs in Washington, DC

Defense Contractor Intern information

See Washington, DC salary details

$10

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$27

How much do defense contractor intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for defense contractor intern in Washington, DC is $19.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $21.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a defense contractor intern?

A Defense Contractor Intern assists with projects supporting military and defense operations, often working for private companies that contract with government agencies. Interns may help with research, data analysis, engineering, logistics, or cybersecurity, depending on the organization. They gain hands-on experience while learning about government regulations, security clearances, and the defense industry's role in national security. This position provides valuable exposure to working with classified or sensitive information in a highly regulated environment.

What types of projects or assignments might a defense contractor intern work on during their internship?

As a Defense Contractor Intern, you may assist with a variety of projects such as supporting engineering design, conducting research and analysis, helping with testing and evaluation of defense systems, or preparing reports and documentation. Interns often work alongside experienced engineers, analysts, or project managers, gaining exposure to classified or cutting-edge technology in a structured environment. You might also participate in team meetings, collaborate with cross-functional departments, and contribute to the continuous improvement of products or processes. These experiences offer valuable insight into the defense industry and can be instrumental in launching a full-time career in this field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the defense contractor intern position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Defense Contractor Intern, you need a solid background in engineering, computer science, or a related STEM field, along with analytical and problem-solving abilities. Familiarity with industry-standard software such as AutoCAD, MATLAB, or project management tools, and sometimes security clearance or eligibility, is often required. Standout interns demonstrate strong teamwork, attention to detail, effective communication, and adaptability in fast-paced environments. These skills are essential to ensure technical accuracy, security compliance, and productive collaboration on high-stakes defense projects.

What are the most commonly searched types of Defense Contractor jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Defense Contractor jobs in Washington, DC are:

What are popular job titles related to Defense Contractor Intern jobs in Washington, DC?

For Defense Contractor Intern jobs in Washington, DC, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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The top searched job categories for Defense Contractor Intern jobs in Washington, DC are:

Defense Contractor Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Defense Contractor Intern job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,134 per year, or $19.3 per hour.

Intern

Washington, DC • On-site

Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc.
Social Sciences and Humanities Research • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Center for Strategic and International Studies, Inc.external

$19.40/hr

Full-time, Internship

Posted 26 days ago

Job description

The Center for the Industrial Base (CIB) is hiring an intern for a 35-hour per week, in-person, paid position. CIB provides analysis on the critical issues at the cross-section of the U.S. government, the U.S. industrial base, and long-term strategic competition. CIB monitors important developments in the global defense industry, with a particular focus on DOD and federal industrial base challenges; government contracting trends in defense, civilian agencies, and international markets; industry-government collaboration; and international industrial cooperation. Through years of analytical research, CIB has strengthened its capabilities to draw from large databases to present information in a clear, meaningful way. CIB also collaborates with other teams at CSIS on a variety of research topics. 

CIB's research efforts focus on a variety of topics, including: 

  • The industrial base 
  • Manufacturing security and resilience 
  • International defense industrial cooperation 
  • Defense acquisition trends 
  • Foreign military sales and defense trade 
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Interns at CIB bolster the team with a variety of core research and analytical skills. Essential functions may include, but are not limited to the following: 

  • Assists with research and analysis 
  • Writes comprehensive reviews of background literature for projects 
  • Assists with data collection and management 
  • Note-taking and writing summaries of events and meetings 
  • Assists with event planning and staffing 
REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 
  • In pursuit of a bachelor's degree (preferably at the junior or senior level) or of a master's degree. Recent graduates are also encouraged to apply 
  • Must have at least a 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) from an accredited U.S. institution or equivalent from a non-U.S. institution 
  • Strong communication and interpersonal skills 
  • Training in quantitative analysis or qualitative social science methods  
  • Experience with Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 
  • Ability to carry out tasks without ongoing oversight 
  • Demonstrated ability to conduct research and present information clearly and efficiently 

SUCCESSFUL CANDIDATES WILL HAVE SOME OF THE FOLLOWING SKILLS: 

  • Familiarity or demonstrated interest in defense research, acquisition, advanced manufacturing, supply chains, or international cooperation 
  • Experience coding (preferably with R, Python, and/or Stata) 
  • Proficiency with databases (ideally SQL Server)      
  • Background in engineering, economics, econometrics, organization science, or statistics 

CIB is looking for an intern who can start September 14, 2026, though the actual start date is negotiable.  

SALARY: 

Undergraduate 

$18.40 

Bachelor's degree 

$19.40 

Master's degree and above 

$20.40  

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Interested applicants should attach a resume, cover letter, and college transcript as a single PDF under the "Resume" tab. Applications not submitted in one PDF will not be considered. This application will remain open until the position is filled. 

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