--- title: 'DoW SkillBridge Forward Deployed Engineer Intern at Research Innovations' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/dow-skillbridge-forward-deployed-engineer-intern-research-innovations-joint-cyghe488bbwt' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-28' --- # DoW SkillBridge Forward Deployed Engineer Intern at Research Innovations - **Company:** Research Innovations - **Location:** Joint Base Lewis-McChord - **Employment:** internship - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-10-15 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-28 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/researchinnovations.com/a89efcb2-9e6c-44fe-8441-cf12dc3a1181 ## Job description Position Title: DoW Forward Deployed Engineer Intern Location: Hybrid to Joint Base Lewis McChord Clearance Requirement: Active Top Secret clearance with SCI eligibility Employment type: SkillBridge Internship Research Innovations, Inc. (RII) is breaking through the big, slow, status quo with transformative technology that fundamentally changes and improves the world. We develop cutting-edge software for all levels of the government and military. Using agile development practices and user-centered design, we create innovative software solutions for complex real-world problems. We are looking for a Skill Bridge Intern to learn the Forward Deployed Engineer position with our CJADC2 business area. This role requires a candidate to be approved for Skillbridge or Career Skills internship programs through their respective branch of the military. You will learn to be the technical engine bridging the front lines of defense with our engineering teams. Your mission is to build, code, and architect high-stakes software directly in the operational environment. You don't just bridge the gap—you translate complex, messy operational requirements into stable software solutions, while simultaneously serving as the systems architect responsible for data ontology, schema coordination, and engineering requirements that define our platform's integration strategy. This position requires an active U.S.Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility. ## WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING - Learn to architect and design scalable solutions for complex, high-stakes technical problems in both cloud and disconnected, tactical edge environments. - Develop custom, high-impact applications (Python, Java, C++, TypeScript) to bridge legacy limitations, while concurrently architecting stable data pipelines and defining schema ontologies for large-scale integration. - Decompose mission-critical operational workflows into clear, deliberate technical requirements and engineering specs that drive the development of scalable, secure product features. Collaborate with internal engineering teams to drive projects from initial ideation and prototyping through to full-scale, secure deployment. - Learn to lead systems integration efforts, linking modern software to legacy military C2 and targeting platforms, and troubleshooting system-of-systems architecture at the tactical edge. - Rapidly iterate on solutions based on direct user feedback, maintaining a high pain threshold to deliver measurable, real-world value. ## WHAT YOU HAVE DONE - 1+ years of relevant, post-college software engineering or development experience. - Strong systems engineering background—with the ability to draft technical specs and manage system-wide data models—alongside a robust foundation in Computer Science or Software Engineering. - Proven proficiency as a coder in one or more modern programming languages, and demonstrated experience in systems integration, schema design, or data modeling within complex environments. - Demonstrated ability to build, deploy, and maintain software solutions that handle data, logic, and operational complexity. Experience engaging with non-technical stakeholders or mission users to turn abstract requirements into concrete code. - History of success in unstructured, rapidly evolving environments where initiative and high-quality output are required. ## EVEN BETTER - Advanced expertise in data structures, storage systems, cloud infrastructure (e.g., AWS, Azure), and container orchestration (e.g., Kubernetes). - Practical experience working with large-scale data and applying AI/ML libraries to address practical operational challenges. Hands-on experience developing in disconnected (DDIL), air-gapped, or tactical edge environments. - Deep curiosity about the underlying technical architecture and a "low ego" approach that values the mission outcome over personal recognition. At RII, we believe that diversity in our workforce is critical to our success. We strive to hire great people from a wide variety of backgrounds, not just because it’s the right thing to do, but because it makes us stronger. We work to help your intellectual passions and creativity thrive. It’s one of our core values: Let your geek flag fly. We also offer all employees comprehensive benefits including: flexible work schedules, health insurance coverage, paid time off, 401k with a company match, paid parental leave, access to wellness programs and much more. You get this all from day one, and all paid for by RII. It’s all part of another of our core values: Stay human. It’s why our comfortable and colorful offices such as our headquarters, include a community game room, pantry, massage chair, and an escape room, among other amenities. It’s why we have community ambassadors and regular community events. Research Innovations, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, genetics, disability status, protected veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal or local law. ## #LI-MC1 ## About Research Innovations ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Research Innovations Inc (RII) builds mission‑grade AI‑powered software and hardware for defense, intelligence, and cyber operations, designed by former operators and deployed in the field. - **Entity Type**: Private (no public funding rounds disclosed) - **Headquarters**: Alexandria, Virginia, United States - **Founded**: 2009 - **Founders**: Rich Briggs (Founder, Chairman, CTO) ## Core Business - Primary industries: National defense, intelligence, cybersecurity, command & control (C2) - Target customers: U.S. Department of Defense, allied militaries (UK, Canada), intelligence community - Mission or purpose: “Creating RIIdiculously Awesome® solutions that make the world safer” – delivering AI‑enabled tools that let operators perform at expert level from the moment they plug in. ## Products & Services - **PRIISM MAX**: Doctrine‑aware AI platform for joint all‑domain command and control (JADC2), enabling multi‑national data sharing, targeting coordination, and decision support. - **Dragonfly**: Field‑hardened hardware for contested environments, designed for edge deployment. - **Precision Offensive Cyber Effects**: Cyber capabilities built by former operators for real‑world mission impact. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not disclosed (private company) - **Key Metric**: Annual revenue $62.4M (LinkedIn estimate, 2025); headcount ~350 (company site) or ~244 (LinkedIn, +10% YoY) - **Notable Investors/Partners**: No external investors listed; partners include UK Ministry of Defence (since 2017), Canadian Armed Forces (10+ years), U.S. joint commands - **Growth Signals**: Headcount growth of ~10% YoY; global footprint with offices in Alexandria, San Antonio, Melbourne, St. Petersburg, and London; active hiring for engineering, cyber, and mission roles ## Competitive Advantages - Domain expertise: one‑third of employees are former military (targeting officers, EW specialists, cyber operators) – software is built by people who have done the job. - Speed of fielding: products ship in weeks, not years, without shortcutting doctrine or safety. - Coalition interoperability: architecture designed from the start for multi‑national operations, not adapted later. ## Strategic Focus - Continuing to scale JADC2 capabilities for joint and allied forces. - Deepening AI/ML integration into real‑time targeting and decision support. - Expanding international partnerships (UK, Canada) and forward‑deployed teams (Hawaii, Seoul). ## Why Work Here - Culture: “RII is where elite engineers, vulnerability researchers, and operational experts build critical technology.” Developers work directly with end‑users – no requirement translation layer. - Remote/hybrid: Flexible hours and remote‑friendly roles; interviews may be remote or on‑site depending on role. - Perks: Competitive health & wellness (Headspace included), 401(k) Safe Harbor match (immediately vested), incentive compensation, charitable matching, pet insurance, WFH fund, education assistance, internal R&D program (CanaRII). - Unique opportunities: DoD SkillBridge partner for transitioning service members; strong veteran community. ## Sources 1. [researchinnovations.com/company](https://www.researchinnovations.com/company) 2. [researchinnovations.com/careers](https://www.researchinnovations.com/careers) 3. [linkedin.com/company/research-innovations-incorporated](https://linkedin.com/company/research-innovations-incorporated) 4. [jobs.lever.co/researchinnovations.com](https://jobs.lever.co/researchinnovations.com) 5. [builtin.com/company/research-innovations-inc](https://builtin.com/company/research-innovations-inc) ## Other roles at Research Innovations - [Senior Facility Security Officer (FSO) and Contractor Special Security Officer (CSSO)](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-facility-security-officer-fso-and-contractor-special-security-officer-ep2razemk9s3) — San Antonio, TX - [CNO Developer II](https://feeny.ai/job/cno-developer-ii-research-innovations-san-antonio-fj3zvq3wc1jz) — San Antonio, TX - [Vulnerability Researcher I/II](https://feeny.ai/job/vulnerability-researcher-i-ii-research-innovations-st-petersburg-ktx6tt8ta928) — St Petersburg, FL - [Cyber Senior Program Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/cyber-senior-program-manager-research-innovations-st-petersburg-m3byhmtvrzxs) — St Petersburg, FL - [Senior Principal FPGA & Digital Signals Processing Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-principal-fpga-digital-signals-processing-engineer-research-innovations-zmm83bv787rw) — Alexandria, VA - [Senior Vulnerability Researcher](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-vulnerability-researcher-research-innovations-san-antonio-gpbxdkbp9w4r) — San Antonio, TX - [Senior Hardware Quality Assurance & Control Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-hardware-quality-assurance-control-engineer-research-innovations-4tmf3kh0n78s) — Alexandria, VA - [Senior Vulnerability Researcher](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-vulnerability-researcher-research-innovations-st-petersburg-k4kex34pn344) — St Petersburg, FL - [Senior CNO Developer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-cno-developer-research-innovations-st-petersburg-ms22fgfr644a) — St Petersburg, FL - [Principal Radio Frequency Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-radio-frequency-engineer-research-innovations-aberdeen-proving-ground-wfvafnvqc65v) — Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD