Public Affairs & Policy Intern

Overview Energy•Ashburn, VA

14h•$30 - $40•Hybrid

About The Position

Overview Energy is seeking a Public Affairs & Policy Intern to research the policy landscape for space and beacon operations and translate it into concrete CONOPS language. This role supports a Department of War (DoW) energy investment program by researching DoW sites for present and future testing and building materials to make the technology legible to its users. The intern will contribute to the broader space solar energy operational guide.

Requirements

Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program in public policy, government, international affairs, communications, or a closely related field
Demonstrated interest in defense, space, or energy policy - coursework, clubs, writing, or prior internships all count
Clear, fast writing for non-expert audiences: you can turn a dense directive into a paragraph an operator will actually read
Comfortable with primary source research - statute, DoW directives, and federal regulatory frameworks
Able to commit 3-5 hours per week from September 2026 through March 2027 with potential extended work time based on the needs of the program; schedule is flexible
U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State

Nice To Haves

ROTC participation, prior military service, or coursework in military operations and doctrine
Internship or fellowship experience on Capitol Hill, in the Executive Branch, or with DoW
Experience producing briefing-grade materials: one-pagers, decks, manuals, or visual explainers
Familiarity with laser safety, space systems, and/or airspace coordination
Interest in a longer-term career in the Executive Branch or the military

Responsibilities

Research U.S. policy and regulation governing space operations and ground-based beacon operations, and translate it into CONOPS language the engineering team can design against
Identify and profile DoW sites for present and future testing, including access, airspace, and environmental considerations
Support warfighter engagement: prepare briefing material, capture feedback in the room, and route it back into CONOPS and design
Draft an operator manual written for the warfighter, not the engineer
Create warfighter and DoW engagement materials that make an unfamiliar technology easy to understand quickly
Track DoW expectations against what we're producing, and flag gaps early