2026 Fall Internship - Government Programs in El Segundo, California at Ephemeris Net, Inc

About Ephemeris Net

We are extending the internet to space.

Ephemeris Net is a pre-seed space networking company on a mission to provide connectivity for all space users through collaborative engineering of commercial space networking solutions. We are creating the infrastructure that will enable the space internet beyond bent pipe by laying the foundational networking layer that will define how data moves through space.

We are supported by our technical incubator Second Order Effects, institutional VCs, and our network of space advisors. As space use scales and more space-native networks come online, we believe that now is the chance to build foundational infrastructure for how the internet will work in space.

The role

We are looking for an intern to support government programs and business development at Ephemeris Net. You will work directly with the Head of Government Programs & Finance on proposals, capture activities, and the business development processes that position Ephemeris Net for government contracts.

Government customers are a core part of how Ephemeris Net goes to market. The U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, and defense agencies are actively investing in optical intersatellite link capabilities and resilient space networking. You will help us build the materials, processes, and relationships that win government business.

By the end of this internship, you will have contributed to real proposal efforts and business development activities that directly support Ephemeris Net’s government revenue pipeline. Your specific project will depend on your background and where the company’s needs are sharpest when you start. We will match you to a project that is both meaningful to the company and a strong learning opportunity for you.

Example Projects

Upcoming intern projects include:

Draft sections of government proposals and responses to RFIs, RFPs, or BAAsResearch and map the government procurement landscape for space networking and optical communicationsDevelop and maintain capture management materials: competitive analysis, win themes, and compliance matricesSupport preparation for government customer meetings, site visits, and technical interchange meetingsBuild and organize documentation for ITAR compliance, security clearance workflows, or contract administrationSupport supply chain efforts: research and source vendors, gather quotes, and help evaluate options for hardware and service procurementsAssist with vendor contract review and management: track agreements, deliverables, and key termsConduct pricing research and rate/volume analysis to support supplier negotiations and cost modeling

What You Will Learn

How government procurement works: from requirements generation through contract award and executionHow space and defense programs are structured, including familiarity with DoD acquisition processes and key stakeholders (USSF, SDA, DARPA, DIU)How to translate technical capabilities into compelling proposal narratives that resonate with government evaluatorsHow a startup positions itself for government contracts alongside primes and other well-funded competitorsHow supply chain decisions get made at a hardware startup: vendor sourcing, contract structures, pricing analysis, and cost modelingHow to work as part of a small, focused team where your contributions directly affect the company’s growth

What We Are Looking For

Minimum Qualifications

Currently pursuing or recently completed an undergraduate or masters degree in business, finance, engineering, public policy, international relations, or a related fieldStrong written and verbal communication skills: you can write clearly and persuasively under deadline pressureAbility to work independently on a scoped project with mentorship and regular check-insInterest in working at a fast-paced startup where priorities shift and you need to adapt quicklyAbility to work on-site in El Segundo, CA; Oakland, CA; or Washington, DC for a minimum of 3 months, 3 days a weekMust be a US person (15 CFR § 772.1)

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience in consulting, investment banking, venture capital, or aerospace and defenseBackground or coursework in U.S. Air Force or U.S. Space Force operations, defense acquisition, or national security policyFamiliarity with government proposal processes (FAR/DFARS, SBIR/STTR, or similar frameworks)Familiarity with ITAR compliance requirements or security clearance processesPrior military service or experience working in a DoD-adjacent environment

How This Role Works

While you will have direct interfaces with the CEO and CTO, you will report to the Head of Government Programs & Finance, who will serve as your primary mentor. You will have regular check-ins and direct access to them for guidance.Before you start, we will meet to understand your strengths and growth goals and scope a project for you.You are expected to scope your project, execute, and present your results to the team at the end of the internship.

What we offer

Compensation & Benefits

Salary: $70,400 annual salary, prorated for length of internshipComprehensive health care coverage

Work Environment

On-site, 3 days a week minimum: you will work alongside the team in the office. Government programs work requires close coordination and access to controlled information.Small team environment with direct access to founders and senior leadersYour work will be on real proposals and business development efforts, not a side project.

The Opportunity

Shape how Ephemeris Net wins government business: Your contributions will directly support proposals and capture efforts for U.S. government customers investing in space networking. Work at the intersection of technology and national security: Ephemeris Net is building infrastructure that the Department of Defense needs. You will learn how startups compete for and deliver on government programs. Build the space internet: Work on technology that will fundamentally change how space networks operate.

Our Vision and Values

Ephemeris Net's vision is to enable an open, space internet that anyone can utilize and access.

We believe that access to better digital connectivity is essential for human progress and that space is the frontier of digital connectivity. We believe that collaboration within market competition is the most effective way to expand the internet into space. Using Ephemeris Net to build space network solutions is how we can proliferate digital connectivity, collaboration, and "the raising of all boats" while achieving a commercial impact.

We care deeply about:

Access to connectivity for all Collaboration that raises all boats; we focus on win/win deals Commercial impact: building solutions people value and buy Personal growth and creating a place where people build their careers Putting good out into the world through the work we do and our interactions with each other

We are building a company people feel great about working at. We are seeking people who are open and actively seeking growth - both technical and personal. We value honesty, creativity, and a culture of ownership.

About our locations

El Segundo, CA: Located in the heart of the aerospace industry, surrounded by SpaceX, Aerospace Corporation, Northrop Grumman, and hundreds of space startups. A unique ecosystem where strangers on the street are excited about space.

Oakland, CA: Right off BART. Close collaboration opportunities with UC Berkeley and the broader Bay Area networking and space research communities.

Ephemeris Net is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.