The Role
Supports business development for defense and space systems by engaging DoD customers, preparing proposals and briefing materials, analyzing defense programs and markets, and assisting with partner outreach. The intern will gain exposure to government acquisition, customer calls, strategy discussions, and defense startup operations. Domestic travel to military bases and conferences may occur.
Summary Generated by Built In
Overview
What You’ll Work On
Who We’re Looking For
Why Wardstone
Compensation
Wardstone is a defense-tech startup building next-generation space and missile defense systems to protect the United States and its allies. We work closely with the Space Force and Air Force to move fast from concept to deployed capability.
We are looking for a Business Development Intern to support customer discovery, government engagement, and strategic partnerships.
We have a strong preference for candidates with prior military service working within the Air Force, Navy, or any other missile defense experience. Bonus points for graduates of U.S. military academies.
What You’ll Work On
- Support engagement with DoD customers, labs, and program offices
- Help prepare briefing materials, whitepapers, and proposals (SBIR, BAAs, 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
- Potential travel to military bases and conferences domestically
- Bonus points for active clearance
This is a hands-on role with direct exposure to how early-stage defense companies work with government customers.
Who We’re Looking For
- Prior service members strongly preferred, especially graduates of:
- U.S. Air Force Academy
- U.S. Military Academy (West Point)
- U.S. Naval Academy
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in engineering, policy, economics, business, or a related field
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfortable with ambiguity and fast-moving environments
- Interest in national security, defense acquisition, and emerging technology
- Ability to work in the U.S. (citizenship required)
Bonus points for experience with:
- DoD acquisition processes or program offices
- SBIR / STTR or government contracting
- Strategy, consulting, or defense policy
- Engineering background and ability to engage with engineers
Why Wardstone
- Work on real national security problems with real customers
- Learn how defense startups engage with the DoD from the inside
- Direct mentorship from founders
- High ownership, real responsibility, no busywork
- Competitive compensation for interns
The base pay range for this role is $6,000 – $10,000 per month.
Skills Required
- Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in engineering, policy, economics, business, or a related field
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Comfort working with ambiguity in fast-moving environments
- Interest in national security, defense acquisition, and emerging technology
- Ability to work in the United States; citizenship required
- Prior military service, especially with the Air Force, Navy, or missile defense
- Experience with DoD acquisition processes or program offices
- Experience with SBIR, STTR, or government contracting
- Experience in strategy, consulting, or defense policy
- Engineering background and ability to engage with engineers
- Active security clearance
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The Company
What We Do
Wardstone develops modular, mass-producible interceptor platforms for air and missile defense. Its systems are designed to match interceptor performance to mission requirements, reduce costs, and support scalable production. The company is developing surface- and space-based interceptors, including satellites intended to kinetically defeat air-breathing, ballistic, and hypersonic missile threats while complementing existing defense systems. Its architecture uses interchangeable components that can be upgraded and manufactured at scale.
