About the role#
We are looking for a Business Development Intern to join our team in El Segundo. You will support customer discovery, government engagement, and strategic partnerships. This is a full-time, on-site role that offers direct exposure to how early-stage defense companies work with government customers.
What you'll do#
- Support engagement with DoD customers, labs, and program offices.
- Help prepare briefing materials, whitepapers, and proposals such as SBIRs, BAAs, and RFPs.
- Track and analyze defense programs, budgets, and acquisition pathways.
- Assist with partner and prime contractor outreach.
- Conduct market and competitive analysis across defense and space domains.
- Sit in on real customer calls, strategy discussions, and reviews.
- Travel to military bases and conferences domestically.
What you'll need#
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Computer, Electrical, Mechanical, or Aerospace Engineering, Business Administration, Economics, or Political Science.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- Comfort with ambiguity.
- Interest in national security, defense acquisition, and emerging technology.
- U.S. citizenship is required.
- Prior military service is strongly preferred, particularly experience within the Air Force, Navy, or missile defense.
- Graduates of U.S. military academies are preferred.
- Experience with DoD acquisition processes, program offices, SBIR/STTR, government contracting, strategy, consulting, or defense policy is a plus.
- An engineering background is preferred.
Location & details#
- Location: El Segundo, California.
- Modality: On-site.
- Term: Rolling.
- Compensation: $6,000 - $10,000 per month.
About Wardstone (YC F25)
Wardstone is a space defense company based in El Segundo, California. Founded in 2025, the firm employs 10 people. It designs and builds satellites that carry interceptors to counter ballistic and hypersonic missiles. The company focuses on protecting the United States and its allies from space-based threats.
How to get in at Wardstone (YC F25)
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