Business Development Intern – USAF​/Space Force

Job Summary

NALEJ.ai is seeking a motivated Business Development Intern to support its go-to-market strategy within the United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Space Force (USSF) customer segments. This intern will play a key role in identifying, researching, and nurturing potential contract opportunities with relevant program offices, contracting commands, and acquisition hubs. Working closely with Corporate Operations leadership, the intern will gain hands‑on experience in defense business development, government contracting, and CRM‑driven pipeline management.

• Focus BD outreach and opportunity research on USAF and USSF program offices, including AFRL, AFWERX, SpaceWERX, and Space Systems Command.

• Identify and research prospective government contract opportunities within the assigned branch focus area using Gov Tribe, SAM.gov, and open-source intelligence.

• Build and maintain a pipeline of leads and opportunities within Hub Spot CRM, ensuring accurate and up-to-date records.

• Support the development of capability briefs, white papers, and introductory materials tailored to the assigned branch's priorities and procurement language.

• Assist in scheduling and preparing for government outreach meetings, industry days, and pre-solicitation engagements.

• Monitor solicitations, Sources Sought notices, and Requests for Information (RFIs) relevant to the assigned branch.

• Collaborate with the GTM Ops Intern and BD team to ensure consistent pipeline reporting and follow-up cadence.

• Research key stakeholders, program offices, and contracting vehicles relevant to the assigned branch.

• Provide weekly status updates and pipeline summaries to the Corporate Operations and CEO.

• Currently enrolled in a Business, Public Policy, National Security, or related undergraduate/graduate program;
  George Mason University students preferred.

• Foundational understanding of or strong interest in U.S. defense and government contracting.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint); CRM experience a plus.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to produce clear, concise professional materials.

• Ability to work independently and manage multiple research tasks simultaneously.

• Security clearance not required; ability and willingness to pursue clearance upon potential conversion to FTE/PTE is preferred.

• Comfort working in a fast-paced, startup-like environment within the defense technology sector.

• Map key USAF and Space Force acquisition programs, contracting vehicles, and innovation hubs (e.g., AFWERX, SpaceWERX, DIU) relevant to NALEJ's capabilities.

• Conduct weekly opportunity scanning on SAM.gov and Gov Tribe for new solicitations and pre-solicitation notices.

• Log and update all leads, contacts, and opportunities in Hub Spot CRM on a regular cadence.

• Draft one-pagers and capability summaries tailored to specific program office requirements.

• Research and map relevant contracting vehicles (e.g., GWACs, IDIQs, OTAs) applicable to the assigned branch.

• Attend and summarize relevant industry days, webinars, and government engagement events.

• Prepare weekly pipeline reports for review by the Corporate Operations lead and CEO.

1. Gain hands‑on experience in defense business development, government contracting research, and opportunity qualification for USAF and Space Force customer segments.

2. Develop a working understanding of USAF and USSF acquisition organizations, including AFRL, AFWERX, SpaceWERX, Space Systems Command, and related innovation pathways.

3. Build practical skills in Gov Tribe, SAM.gov, Hub Spot CRM, open-source market research, stakeholder mapping, and pipeline documentation.

4. Practice translating air and space…