By Light Professional IT Services LLC readies warfighters and federal agencies with technology and systems engineered to connect, protect, and prepare individuals and teams for whatever comes next. Headquartered in McLean, VA, By Light supports defense, civilian, and commercial IT customers worldwide. 

Cole Engineering Services (CESI), a By Light company, is recognized as a premier provider of modeling and simulation (M&S) training solutions to the Federal Government and industry. Since 2004, CESI has been at the forefront of developing, maintaining, and integrating simulation-based training, serious gaming, technical services, training and other support in live, virtual, constructive, and gaming (LVCG) domains.  CESI also designs, builds and runs infrastructure, platforms, applications and processes that enable cyber training for the integrated multi-domain force. Our vision is to become a worldwide full spectrum LVCG and cyber training/analysis developer, integrator and services provider.

Candidate will work with an experienced team of cybersecurity, software, DevOps, electrical, mechincal, and systems engineers to support the development, operations and security of a complex, distributed live training systems. The intern will be given hands on engineering tasks and will participate as a part of the team. The intern will gain practical experience with Agile system development using industry standard tools such as Jira and Confluence, and will learn and apply technical tools and approaches to solve real world technical problems.

We are looking for a versatile and curious Software Engineer Intern to join our multi-disciplinary engineering team. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience across a diverse technology stack, ranging from high-level application development to low-level systems programming.

As an intern, you won’t just be shadowing; you’ll be contributing to production-level code that spans mobile interfaces, backend services, and performance-critical systems.

Duration of internship: TBD, negotiable

These activities will occur over time and as experience is gained. It is not expected that the candidate will have expertise across this broad set of job functions at the start of employment. 

Key Responsibilities

• Mobile Development: Assist in building and refining features for our Android application using Java (and/or Kotlin).
• Backend & Tooling: Write clean, maintainable Python and Java for data processing, automation, and backend API support.
• Systems Engineering: Collaborate on core performance modules written in C++ to ensure low-latency and efficient memory management.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Participate in agile ceremonies, including sprint planning, daily stand-ups, and peer code reviews.
• Problem Solving: Debug complex issues across different layers of the stack and propose creative solutions.

• Ability to work as a member of a technical team to complete complex software and systems projects.
• A strong interest and curiosity in cybersecurity, software and IT related technologies.
• Ability to work part time while continuing to perform strongly in course work leading towards a cybersecurity, computer engineering/science or IT related degree from a college or university. 

Please note that pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires U. S. Citizenship status with ability to obtain a SECRET security clearance.  Security Clearance requirements will be specified in the Government's Task Order.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. The above is intended to describe the general contents of and requirements for the performance of this job.

CESI is committed to principles of inclusion and equal employment opportunity.  We foster a non-discriminatory, professional work environment for all our teams.  We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status.