Volunteer Backend Developer Internship Jobs in Colorado

We are seeking a Mid-Level Software Engineer to contribute to the development of the Multimode Threat Engagement Simulation Platform under the technical direction of the Lead and Senior Staff Engineers. You will build features across the stack — backend physics API endpoints in Julia, React/TypeScript UI components, and Cesium map view integrations — while growing your expertise in high-performance scientific computing and defense mission engineering applications.

This role is an opportunity to develop real depth in an intersection of disciplines that is rarely available at early career: scientific computing with Julia, 3D geospatial visualization with CesiumJS, and the physics of aerospace and defense sensor systems. You do not need to arrive with domain knowledge — you will acquire it through hands-on work alongside domain experts and through structured mentorship from the Lead Engineer. What you do need is a solid programming foundation, genuine curiosity about computational physics, and the ability to write clear, tested, maintainable code.

***Contingent upon contract award***

Backend Development

• Implement and test Julia HTTP API endpoints for mission data CRUD operations, trajectory query routing, and physics result serialization
• Write Julia utility functions for data format conversion: GeoJSON, CZML, mission JSON schema parsing and generation
• Assist with Monte Carlo driver implementation: input parameter perturbation, result aggregation, and statistical output computation (CEP, R95, Pk distribution)
• Write unit and integration tests for computation backend endpoints; validate API response schemas against the frontend contract
• Maintain and extend the mission data serialization layer: add new asset types, task attributes, and output fields while preserving backward compatibility with existing save files

Frontend Development

• Build and maintain React/TypeScript components for the mission planning UI: forms for asset creation and editing, task assignment dialogs, mission parameter panels, and tabbed navigation
• Implement Cesium/Resium map features: add new asset marker types, update entity styling based on mission state, and wire up click/hover interactions between the globe and the mission data panel
• Consume Julia backend API endpoints from the React frontend: implement fetch calls, loading states, error handling, and result rendering for trajectory and analysis queries
• Write TypeScript type definitions for all mission data structures shared between the frontend and the Julia API

Testing and DevOps Support

• Write automated tests at the component level (React Testing Library or equivalent) and integration level (API contract tests)
• Assist with CI/CD pipeline maintenance: diagnose build failures on Windows and Linux targets, update dependency versions, and validate packaged installer behavior
• Participate in code review: give and receive feedback on correctness, performance, and readability
• Maintain technical documentation: update API reference docs, build guides, and developer setup instructions as features evolve

***Contingent upon contract award***

Citizenship: Must be a US citizen

Minimum Required Qualifications

Clearance: Active Secret Clearance

Education: B.S. in Computer Science, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related STEM field

Years of Experience: 1–4 years of software development experience, including internships, research projects, or personal projects demonstrating relevant technical depth

Certifications: NA

Additional Skills

• Proficiency in at least one programming language with strong typing discipline (TypeScript, Python, Java, C++, Rust, or Julia)
• Familiarity with REST API design patterns: HTTP methods, JSON request/response schemas, status codes, and client-side error handling
• Working knowledge of React or equivalent component-based frontend framework, OR demonstrated experience with scientific computing / numerical methods in Python, MATLAB, Julia, or C++
• Ability to write readable, tested code and iterate based on code review feedback

Preferred Qualifications

• Any exposure to Julia, even through coursework, online resources, or personal projects
• Familiarity with geospatial concepts: coordinate systems (WGS84, ECEF, ENU), map projections, or GIS tooling
• Experience with a scientific computing environment: MATLAB, NumPy/SciPy, or equivalent
• Curiosity about aerospace, defense, or mission engineering applications — you don't need to know the domain, but you should want to learn it
• Experience with Electron desktop application development

Additional Information

Location: Colorado Springs, CO or Boston, MA

Travel: Approx. 15-20%

Remote, Onsite, or Hybrid: Hybrid

#LI-JK1

***Contingent upon contract award***

Odyssey is a world-class technical, engineering, and integration company serving the warfighting ecosystem with airborne integration, ISR, C2, and warfighter readiness capabilities. Odyssey meets the military’s operational needs by integrating layered defense systems from equipment, technology, and services to data, information, and business operations. We streamline defense acquisition and sustainment, engineering the technical battlefield with domain-specific proficiency to ensure lethality. Odyssey is dedicated to excellent contract execution, peak organizational performance, and fostering a workplace built on employee care.

Odyssey is proud to live out our core values of commitment, ambition, and respect in our work and communities through OdysseyCares, a philanthropic group focused on giving back through direct donations, an employer match program, and volunteering events.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

Final compensation for this position will be determined by various factors such as the Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant work experience, specific skills and competencies, geographic location, education, and certifications.

This position is filled through continuous recruitment and will remain open until a sufficient pool of applications has been received.
Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, Tricare supplement, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, employee assistance program, learning and development benefit, paid time off, and holidays.
Odyssey Benefits