DoD SkillBridge - Client Engineer Intern

Planned Systems International (PSI) is an Enterprise IT services company focused on designing, building, securing, and operating cutting-edge software solutions that drive mission success and operational excellence for Federal Government organizations. We are seeking a Client Engineer SkillBridge Intern to support the global Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) Enhanced Mission Integration (AEMI) program at Hurlburt Field, FL.

About the Role

This mid-level (journeyman) role leads endpoint strategy, ensures cyber readiness, oversees deployments, and serves as the primary technical authority for client-side integrations supporting C2, cyber operations, and enterprise situational awareness. The Client Engineer interfaces with government leadership and steers client-related changes, helping shape the future of AEMI mission client operations and ensuring the reliability of endpoints operators rely on daily.

This position is ideal for transitioning service members with experience in IT, cyber operations, systems administration, maintenance, satellite communications, or similar technical fields.

Responsibilities

• Own the AEMI client engineering roadmap, lifecycle planning, and modernization initiatives.
• Design and maintain Windows client baselines (Win11) optimized for performance, security, and mission tooling.
• Oversee STIG/SRG implementation, SCAP compliance, and vulnerability remediation strategies.
• Participate in engineering reviews, design sessions, and change control activities.
• Architect and maintain deployments; develop and publish PowerShell automation to reduce build time, ensure configuration consistency, and eliminate drift.
• Lead integration with HBSS/ePO, ACAS/Tenable, endpoint protection, host firewall policies, and certificate management.
• Drive compliance reporting, POA&M mitigation, and RMF support for client-related controls.
• Act as Tier 3/Subject Matter Expert for complex client issues affecting mission operations.
• Coordinate with Comm Squadrons, server teams, IA, and mission partners during deployment or incident response.
• Validate client-to-service connectivity: DNS, PKI, GPO, cert trust, authentication, proxies, services, and registration.
• Serve as a client engineering POC for government customers, auditors, and program leadership.
• Publish SOPs, runbooks, deployment guides, and engineering standards.

Deliverables

• Establish or refresh the enterprise AEMI client baseline, fully STIG’d and SCAP validated.
• Deliver a modernized SCCM/Intune deployment workflow reducing errors and build time by 25–40%.
• Implement or refine HBSS/ePO policies tailored to AEMI client behavior.
• Produce client-focused RMF evidence artifacts for key control families (CM, IA, SI).
• Create comprehensive Tier 2/3 troubleshooting guides for recurring AEMI client issues.
• Present a final capstone to government and program leadership demonstrating measurable mission impact.

Requirements

• Currently serving U.S. Service Member eligible for DoD SkillBridge (command approval required).
• Active T3 investigation, with the ability to obtain and maintain necessary security clearances.
• 5+ years experience as a Windows Client Engineer in DoD or enterprise environments.
• Expert-level experience with:
  • SCCM/MECM and/or Intune (policy, app deployment, OS deployment)
  • DISA STIGs, SCAP, ACAS, HBSS/ePO
  • Active Directory, GPO, DNS, PKI
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical projects or engineering workstreams.
• Strong PowerShell scripting skills.
• Excellent documentation, communication, and change-management skills.

Qualifications

• Direct experience with AEMI, SAMS Family of Systems, or AF C2/Cyber platforms.
• Experience with SIPR client builds and cross-domain considerations.
• Certifications: Security+ (DoD 8570 baseline), Microsoft Endpoint Associate/Expert, ITIL, GIAC, or other cyber certifications.
• Familiarity with VDI technologies (Horizon/Citrix).
• Experience improving compliance metrics or creating automated cyber reporting.

Schedule

Full time, temporary (90–180 days; preferred 120–180 days). Target dates are flexible based on command approval and candidate availability.

Location

Onsite/Hybrid at Hurlburt Field/Valparaiso, FL Innovation Facility.

Pay

This is an unpaid DoD SkillBridge opportunity for qualifying transitioning Service Members. Participants remain on active-duty orders and continue to receive military pay/benefits from their Service during the fellowship.

Benefits

High-performing fellows may be offered full-time positions, such as Lead Client Engineer or Client Engineer. Full-time, benefits-eligible employees receive:

• Paid leave
• Employer-sponsored group medical, dental, vision, short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, and AD&D coverage
• Legal services, identity theft, and accident insurance options
• Flexible spending account and health savings account options for pre-tax savings
• Company-sponsored 401(k) retirement plan with an immediately vested employer contribution match
• Professional growth opportunities through courses, certifications, and tuition reimbursement programs