1

Missile Defense Agency Internship Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IL · On-site

Missile Defense Agency (MDA) NOC Technician Security Clearance: Secret Location : Scott AFB, IL (Due to the nature of the work and contract requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required. ) Description:

next page

Showing results 1-20

Missile Defense Agency Internship information

See salary details

$6

$16

$23

How much do missile defense agency internship jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for missile defense agency internship in the United States is $16.33, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.42 and $19.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Missile Defense Agency internship?

A Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Internship is a program designed to provide students with practical experience working alongside professionals in the field of missile defense. Interns at the MDA gain exposure to projects related to developing, testing, and fielding missile defense systems that protect the United States and its allies. The internship offers opportunities to work in engineering, cybersecurity, program management, and other technical and support roles. Participants often work on real-world projects, attend professional development seminars, and network with experts in their field. This experience helps students build valuable skills and can serve as a pathway to future careers with the Department of Defense.

What types of projects and responsibilities can interns expect during a Missile Defense Agency internship?

Interns at the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) typically work on a variety of projects related to missile defense systems, including research, data analysis, engineering support, and technical documentation. Depending on your academic background and assigned team, you may contribute to software development, system simulations, or assist in testing and evaluation activities. Interns often collaborate with experienced engineers and scientists, gaining exposure to real-world defense challenges and contributing to national security initiatives. The internship provides valuable networking opportunities and hands-on experience that can be beneficial for future defense or engineering careers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Missile Defense Agency intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Missile Defense Agency Intern, you generally need a strong academic background in engineering, physics, computer science, or related STEM fields, often with U.S. citizenship and security clearance eligibility. Familiarity with technical tools such as MATLAB, simulation software, and data analysis platforms is advantageous, along with knowledge of Department of Defense systems and protocols. Analytical thinking, attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating on complex defense projects. These skills and qualifications are critical for contributing to national security initiatives and succeeding in a highly technical, mission-driven environment.
More about Missile Defense Agency Internship jobs

What cities are hiring for Missile Defense Agency Internship jobs?

Cities with the most Missile Defense Agency Internship job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Missile Defense Agency jobs?

The most popular types of Missile Defense Agency jobs are:

What states have the most Missile Defense Agency Internship jobs?

States with the most job openings for Missile Defense Agency Internship jobs include:

What job categories do people searching Missile Defense Agency Internship jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Missile Defense Agency Internship jobs are:

Infographic showing various Missile Defense Agency Internship job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 16% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,957 per year, or $16.3 per hour.

Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) / Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) SME- Suffolk, VA

Serco USA

Suffolk, VA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

Position Description & Qualifications
Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) / Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Subject Matter Expert (SME) Senior Operations Exercise Planner - Suffolk, VA
Serco is seeking a Principal Military Trainer - Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) / Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) Subject Matter Expert (SME) Senior Operations Exercise Planner to support the Joint Staff J-7 Deputy Directorate for Joint Training and Exercises (DDJTE) in Suffolk, Virginia. This high-impact position places you at the center of Joint Force readiness, where you will help design, plan, execute, and assess strategic-level training events that prepare Combatant Commands, Joint Task Forces, and senior military leaders to address evolving global threats. As a senior operational expert, you will integrate IAMD and BMD capabilities, command and control systems, sensor-to-shooter architectures, and multi-domain operational concepts into some of the Department of Defense's most complex Joint exercises and experimentation efforts. Working directly with Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Service components, coalition partners, the Missile Defense Agency, Intelligence Community organizations, and senior decision-makers, will help shape the future of missile defense, integrated deterrence, and Joint warfighting readiness while contributing to mission-critical solutions that strengthen homeland defense and global security.
This position is contingent upon the ability to maintain/transfer an active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Top Secret (TS) security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is required.
In this role, you will:
  • Serve as the lead IAMD / BMD advisor supporting Joint exercise planning, operational assessments, and capability development initiatives.
  • Integrate IAMD and BMD considerations throughout all phases of the Joint Event Life Cycle (JELC) to support Combatant Command training objectives and operational outcomes.
  • Develop and assess missile defense scenarios, threat presentations, operational injects, and training objectives for Joint and combined exercises.
  • Provide subject matter expertise on Integrated Air and Missile Defense architectures, Ballistic Missile Defense operations, command-and-control systems, sensor integration, interceptor employment, and multi-domain operations.
  • Analyze adversary missile threats, integrated air defense systems, and advanced strike capabilities to enhance operational realism and training effectiveness.
  • Support development of operational concepts related to homeland defense, theater missile defense, cruise missile defense, hypersonic threat response, integrated deterrence, and Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2).
  • Evaluate the integration of Joint, allied, and coalition missile defense capabilities across land, maritime, air, space, cyber, and information domains.
  • Coordinate with Joint Staff, Combatant Commands, Service Components, Missile Defense Agency stakeholders, Intelligence Community organizations, coalition partners, and functional planners to synchronize IAMD/BMD activities.
  • Review, assess, and provide recommendations to senior military and government leaders regarding Joint Force integration, collaboration, operational effectiveness, and emerging missile defense capabilities.
  • Translate strategic guidance into operational and tactical training objectives and assist planners, exercise control personnel, and senior leaders in understanding the relationship between national-level policy, campaign planning, and operational execution.
  • Participate in planning conferences, In-Progress Reviews (IPRs), operational working groups, and senior leader engagements.
  • Support exercise execution as an IAMD /BMD representative within Exercise Control (EXCON), operational cells, or functional planning teams.
  • Assess command-and-control processes, sensor-to-shooter timelines, information-sharing architectures, and operational decision-making frameworks.
  • Develop operational assessments, lessons learned, capability analyses, and recommendations to improve Joint Force missile defense readiness.

To be successful in this role, you will have:
  • An active U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Top Secret (TS) security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI) access is required.
  • A Bachelor's degree.
  • 8 years of relevant experience.
  • Experience supporting Joint, Combatant Command, Service Headquarters, Missile Defense Agency, Intelligence Community, or equivalent organizations.
  • Demonstrated expertise in Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD), air defense operations, command and control, sensor integration, and missile defense planning.
  • Strong understanding of National Security Strategy (NSS), National Defense Strategy (NDS), National Military Strategy (NMS), Joint Planning Processes, Joint doctrine, and Multi-Domain Operations.
  • Proven ability to connect and integrate activities across the strategic, operational, and tactical levels of warfare, translating national objectives into operational plans and tactical actions while assessing operational outcomes against strategic goals.Strong analytical, writing, briefing, and communication skills.
  • Strong foundation in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Teams, with additional experience leveraging SharePoint, Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled tools, Onebrief, Virtual Joint Operations Center (VJOC), and other collaborative planning and decision-support systems.
  • The ability to travel up to 25%.

Additional desired experience and skills:
  • Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase II or Senior Service College graduate.
  • Former Air Defense Artillery, Air Battle Management, Missile Defense, Integrated Air and Missile Defense, Space Operations, or Joint Fires professional.
  • Experience supporting Combatant Command exercises, operational planning, wargaming, experimentation, operational assessments, or capability development efforts.
  • Familiarity with Joint Training Tool (JTT), Master Scenario Event List (MSEL) development, and Joint exercise planning processes.
  • Knowledge of Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2), hypersonic defense, space-based sensing architectures, integrated deterrence, and emerging missile defense capabilities.

Company Overview
Serco Inc. (Serco) is the Americas division of Serco Group, plc. In North America, Serco's 9,000+ employees strive to make an impact every day across 100+ sites in the areas of Defense, Citizen Services, and Transportation. We help our clients deliver vital services more efficiently while increasing the satisfaction of their end customers. Serco serves every branch of the U.S. military, numerous U.S. Federal civilian agencies, the Intelligence Community, the Canadian government, state, provincial and local governments, and commercial clients. While your place may look a little different depending on your role, we know you will find yours here. Wherever you work and whatever you do, we invite you to discover your place in our world. Serco is a place you can count on and where you can make an impact because every contribution matters.
To review Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/what-we-offer. If you require an accommodation with the application process please email: careers@serco-na.com or call the HR Service Desk at 800-628-6458, option 1. Please note, due to EEOC/OFCCP compliance, Serco is unable to accept resumes by email.
Candidates may be asked to present proof of identity during the selection process. If requested, this will require presentation of a government-issued I.D. (with photo) with name and address that match the information entered on the application. Serco will not take possession of or retain/store the information provided as proof of identity. For more information on how Serco uses your information, please see our Applicant Privacy Policy and Notice.
Serco does not accept unsolicited resumes through or from search firms or staffing agencies without being a contracted approved vendor. All unsolicited resumes will be considered the property of Serco and will not be obligated to pay a placement or contract fee. If you are interested in becoming an approved vendor at Serco, please email Agencies@serco-na.com.
Serco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, and other legally protected characteristics.
Pay Transparency
Our Total Rewards package includes competitive pay, performance-based incentives, and benefits that promote well-being and work-life balance-so you can thrive both professionally and personally. Eligible employees also gain access to a wide range of benefits from comprehensive health coverage and health savings accounts to retirement plans, life and disability insurance, and time-off programs that support work-life balance. Program availability may vary based on factors such as contract type, location, hire date, and applicable collective bargaining agreements.
Salary range: The range for this position can be found at the top of this posting. This range is provided as a general guideline and represents a good faith estimate across all experience levels. Actual base salary will be determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to, the scope of the role, relevant experience, job-related knowledge, education and training, key skills, and geographic market considerations. For roles available in multiple states, the range may vary to reflect differences in local labor markets. In addition to base salary, eligible positions may include other forms of compensation such as annual bonuses or long-term incentive opportunities.Benefits - Comprehensible benefits for full-time employees (part-time employees receive a limited package tailored to their role):
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance
  • Robust vacation and sick leave benefits, and flexible work arrangements where permitted by role or contract
  • 401(k) plan that includes employer matching funds
  • Tuition reimbursement program
  • Life insurance and disability coverage
  • Optional coverages that can be purchased, including pet insurance, home and auto insurance, additional life and accident insurance, critical illness insurance, group legal, ID theft protection
  • Birth, adoption, parental leave benefits
  • Employee Assistance Plan

To review all Serco benefits please visit: https://careers.serco-na.com/us/en/about-us.
Serco complies with all applicable state and local leave laws, including providing time off under the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act for eligible Colorado residents, in alignment with our policies and benefit plans. The application window for this position is for no more than 60 days. We encourage candidates to apply promptly after the posting date, as the position may close earlier if filled or if the application volume exceeds expectations. Please submit applications exclusively through Serco's external (or internal) career site. If an applicant has any concerns with job posting compliance, please send an email to: careers@serco-na.com.