2027 Internship - Engineer / Researcher

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory•Laurel, MD

About The Position

The Cyber Warfare Systems Group (QCR) at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory offers a hands-on engineering internship focused on cyber operations and non-kinetic mission defeat. The group develops innovative cyber capabilities supporting U.S. military cyber missions and joint operations. Its research areas include analysis and targeting, cyber layer modeling, cybersecurity, and human systems modeling. Interns work alongside experienced engineers, computer scientists, researchers, analysts, and cyber practitioners on real problems supporting cyber operations. Depending on their interests and experience, interns may prototype technical approaches, experiment with emerging technologies such as AI-enabled approaches, develop technical solutions, investigate systems and networks, and contribute to the design, development, testing, and fielding of cyber operations capabilities. They may also collaborate with government, contractor, and APL teammates as ideas move toward operational use. Interns are encouraged to contribute their own ideas and perspectives while learning and making a meaningful team impact.

Requirements

Be pursuing a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, software engineering, computer engineering, mathematics, electrical engineering, cybersecurity, another engineering or technical field, or demonstrate strong applicable technical skills while studying another discipline.
Have a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.
Have explored technical problems through coursework, research, clubs, competitions, personal projects, internships, open-source contributions, or other hands-on experiences.
Enjoy creating, experimenting, building, and seeing ideas through to working solutions.
Be able to critically evaluate technical approaches, including AI-enabled technologies, and be curious about their capabilities and limitations.
Effectively communicate technical information, concepts, and ideas to technical and non-technical audiences.
Be able to acquire an Interim Secret security clearance by the start date and ultimately acquire a Top Secret with SCI clearance; eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

Nice To Haves

Build projects outside the classroom, such as software, hardware, homelabs, Capture The Flag solutions, automation, data projects, or AI experiments.
Have experience with OSINT, PAI, CAI, intelligence analysis, targeting, geopolitical analysis, or other mission-focused analytical methods.
Have proficiency in a defense-critical foreign language.
Have experimented with AI/ML, large language models, or AI agents and understand the opportunities, limitations, and risks of their use in mission-critical applications.
Demonstrate initiative, leadership, teamwork, or ownership through technical projects, research, student organizations, competitions, employment, military/ROTC experience, or other activities.

Responsibilities

Explore technical approaches and rapidly turn promising ideas into prototypes.
Experiment with emerging technologies, including AI-enabled approaches, and critically evaluate their capabilities and limitations.
Develop models, software, scripts, automation, data-analysis methods, or other technical solutions to cyber mission problems.
Investigate systems, networks, and technologies to understand how they work, where they may be vulnerable, and how they can support mission needs.
Contribute to the design, development, testing, and fielding of capabilities supporting cyber operations missions.
Work with government, contractor, and APL teammates as technical ideas move toward operational use.