Internship Payload Jobs in Hackensack, NJ (NOW HIRING)

DS creates systems that power the next generation of radio spectrum intelligence. We collect radio data from all over the world, train neural networks to decipher it, and run them on the smallest chips we can. We're solving a new, technically hard problem where nothing from other fields works out of the box, and along the way, we've built our own stack from scratch, including entirely new embedding model architectures, custom GPU kernels, and much more.
Joining DS means owning major parts of a fast-growing AI research organization, joining a collaborative, talent-dense team with decades of experience in probabilistic ML, accelerated computing, embedded systems, and signal theory, and growing your career in the areas that interest you. You'll fit in if you want to come to work for the problem itself and don't want to choose between technical rigor, business value, and real-world impact.
We work with high ownership and trust.
About this opportunity
Distributed Spectrum is seeking a transitioning active-duty service member for a DoD SkillBridge opportunity supporting Mission Operations. This is a structured training and internship pathway for service members who want civilian experience in field deployment support, technical integration, test and validation, customer mission execution, troubleshooting, and operator-to-engineering translation in a defense-technology environment. This opportunity is designed to capture a wider range of mission-facing technical profiles, not just a traditional Mission Ops candidate. We are open to candidates whose experience leans more toward mission support, systems integration, deployment engineering, test and evaluation, technical field support, or adjacent developer-enabled mission systems work, provided they have helped make real systems work in real environments.
Participants in this program remain on active duty during the SkillBridge period and continue receiving military compensation and benefits from the Department of Defense. Participation is contingent on DoD SkillBridge eligibility, command approval, and alignment on program structure, location, and supervision. SkillBridge participation does not guarantee employment with Distributed Spectrum, though a separate conversation about future employment may occur based on performance, timing, and company needs.
What You Will Learn and Contribute To

• Support preparation and execution for field deployments, mission events, test activities, exercises, and customer-facing demonstrations
• Assist with system setup, configuration, integration, readiness checks, and troubleshooting in lab and field environments
• Learn how mission-user and customer feedback is captured, triaged, and translated into product, engineering, training, and workflow improvements
• Help document issues, improve deployment procedures, and contribute to checklists, quick-reference guides, training materials, and after-action deliverables
• Shadow and support personnel working with technical teams, customers, and operators across deployment, validation, and mission-support workflows
• Gain exposure to fielded mission systems operating in RF, sensing, tactical communications, autonomy-adjacent, and mission-system environments
• Contribute to the connective work between operators, customers, systems, and engineering teams that helps mission outcomes improve over time

Who Is This For
This opportunity is best suited for transitioning service members who have experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Mission systems, mission support, deployment engineering, or field engineering
• Systems integration, test and evaluation, readiness, validation, or sustainment
• SIGINT, EW, cyber, tactical communications, ISR, tactical sensing, or adjacent technical mission environments
• UAS/C-UAS, mission planning, payload/sensor support, or operational technical support
• Technical training, troubleshooting, user support, or operator-facing field work
• Roles where you had to make complex systems work in ambiguous, time-sensitive, real-world environments

You do not need to have held the title "engineer." We are interested in service members who can operate credibly in the seam between operators and engineers, help solve technical problems in the field, and grow into a mission-facing operator/integrator role in a fast-moving defense-technology environment.
Eligibility and Conditions

• Must be an active-duty service member eligible for DoD SkillBridge
• Must be within the authorized transition window required by your service and command
• Must obtain written command approval before program participation
• Must meet any applicable security, export-control, or customer-access requirements for the work
• Must be able to support the agreed program schedule, supervision model, and location requirements

Location and Travel
This program may include on-site work, field support, and travel depending on mission requirements and final program design. Specific expectations regarding location, equipment, supervision, and travel will be discussed before finalizing any training plan.
Important Note
This is a DoD SkillBridge training opportunity, not a standard paid employment posting. Participants remain active-duty service members during the program and continue receiving military pay and benefits through the Department of Defense. Final program structure must be reviewed and approved through Distributed Spectrum's HR/compliance process.
Who Thrives at Distributed Spectrum

• Fast learners over specific backgrounds - We care more about how quickly you can pick up new skills than where you've worked before.
• Intellectual honesty - The right answer matters more than being right. You challenge assumptions, test ideas, and pivot when needed.
• Adaptability - We're organized, but sometimes things change quickly. You find a way to make it work and balance short-term deliverables with long-term goals.
• Ownership of outcomes - You optimize your own time, focus on what matters to deliver quickly, and cut out inefficiencies.
• Not building in a vacuum - You stay connected to the rest of our teams and our customers to make sure all the pieces fit together.

What We Offer

• Above-market salary, equity, and benefits package.
• Early Series A Equity
• Excellent health, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) match - up to 4% of your salary
• Flexible PTO
• Daily office lunches in NYC

ITAR RequirementsTo conform to U.S. Government technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.