Network Engineer SkillBridge Intern

Summary

This is an UNPAID internship through the DoD SkillBridge Program for transitioning active-duty US military personnel. DoD SkillBridge Internships are available to help transitioning active-duty military personnel gain real-world experience in the work force sometime during their final 180 days of active-duty service. The intern will actively train on meaningful projects and work closely with a mentor and with senior company leadership. HII Mission Technologies Internship programs are focused on placing transitioning military into internships that require KSAs, Education & Military Training similar to their current or previous military jobs; positions that could easily transition over to a full-time regular and permanent job with HII.

Objective

The SkillBridge intern will train as a Network Engineer SkillBridge Intern with HII Mission Technologies, reporting to a designated Network Engineering Supervisor. The goal is to gain hands-on experience in designing, planning, implementing, testing, and sustaining enterprise networks within Warfare Systems environments. Interns will work alongside subject matter experts to apply best practices in network architecture, hardware/software selection, integration testing, and modernization strategies. They will complete the program with the confidence to perform mid-level network engineering functions across LAN, MAN, WAN, and cloud-integrated networks. This internship also provides a window into HII’s mission, culture, and career pathways in delivering mission-driven solutions.

Overall Goals & End State (3-4 month target)

At the end of four months, the intern is expected to:

• 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

Mission Technologies will benefit from the military background of the SkillBridge intern and consider the SkillBridge internship an overall positive experience.

Assumptions/Restrictions

• If the candidate is selected and approved, the SkillBridge Intern can travel in conjunction with this internship; HII Mission Technologies will fund all travel costs
• SkillBridge Intern will possess at minimum an Active TS/SCI Security Clearance
• SkillBridge Intern will be available during core hours for critical meetings and training

Program of Instruction

Location: Ramstein Air Base, Germany

Training Plan

Phase 1: Orientation (Weeks 1–3)

Objective: Establish baseline knowledge of HII, TS/SCI protocols, and core network concepts.

• Week 1: Facility orientation; TS/SCI handling; meet network/security teams.
• Week 2: Review LAN/MAN/WAN schematics; hardware/software inventories; capacity planning.
• Week 3: Set up lab (virtualization, simulation tools); access config management systems.

Phase 2: Technical Learning (Weeks 4–7)

Objective: Build applied skills in design, implementation, and testing.

• Week 4: Create network diagrams; specify hardware/software; plan capacity/security.
• Week 5: Configure routers, switches, firewalls; deploy VLANs; establish routing protocols.
• Week 6: Develop/execute test plans; troubleshoot LAN/MAN/WAN issues.
• Week 7: Intro to Python/Ansible; automate backups, rollouts, and tasks.

Phase 3: Integration (Weeks 8–10)

Objective: Transition to integrated operations and strategic evaluation.

• Week 8: Implement firewall rules/ACLs; apply segmentation and threat mitigation.
• Week 9: Plan/test AWS/Azure/GCP connectivity; deploy hybrid components.
• Week 10: Research SD-WAN, NFV, intent-based networking; compile evaluation report.

Phase 4: Capstone (Weeks 11–12)

Objective: Deliver final project and prepare for transition.

• Week 11: Draft comprehensive network proposal with schematics, test plans, and security design.
• Week 12: Present deliverables; host Q&A; conduct exit interview; outline post-internship roadmap.

Phase 5: Advanced Ops (Weeks 13–16)

Objective: Move into operational leadership, collaboration, and innovation.

• Week 13: Simulated mission exercise under constraints (bandwidth, contested environment, cyber threats).
• Week 14: Partner with Warfare Systems Engineering; red-team/blue-team exercise; after-action report.
• Week 15: Shadow senior engineers; mentor junior staff; create “quick start” guide for future interns.
• Week 16: Finalize DoD IAT II/III prep; build career roadmap; reflect with leadership on lessons learned.

Additional Goals

• Apply all skills independently.
• Complete additional IT certifications supporting the role.

Minimum Qualifications

• Active-Duty Military ONLY within final 180 days of active-duty service. Applications accepted within final 12 months of US Military active-duty service. Education and Experience dependent on Program of Instruction.
• 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.
• 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.

Preferred Requirements

• Ability to create rack drawings and L2/L3 network diagrams
• IAT Level II
• Familiarity with cloud networking (AWS, Azure, GCP).

Key skills/competency

• Network Design
• LAN/MAN/WAN
• Cloud Networking (AWS, Azure, GCP)
• Network Configuration
• Troubleshooting
• TS/SCI Clearance
• Python/Ansible
• Firewall Management
• Network Security
• System Integration