2026 Military and Space Cybersecurity Engineer Internship Overseas – Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)

Position Overview – 2026 Internship for Military & Space Cybersecurity Engineering with Interim Secret/Top Secret Clearance

Position: Military & Space Cybersecurity Engineer Intern Location: Laurel, Maryland (Telework Not Available) Department: Cyber Operations, AOS Asymmetric Operations Sector Security Clearance Requirement: Interim Secret (eligible for Top Secret) Company: Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)

Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) is offering a 2026 Cybersecurity Engineering Internship for students passionate about strengthening the cyber resilience of critical military and space systems. This role allows interns to participate in cutting-edge research and development of cyber defense strategies for aircraft, ships, missiles, and submarines, in collaboration with industry, academia, and government teams.

Interns at APL will:

• Work on Software Operational Solutions: Design, build, and deploy software enhancing cyber resilience of military platforms using AI/ML for anomaly detection in large datasets.
• Conduct Cyber Analytics: Develop methodologies, tools, and simulations that drive cybersecurity decision-making across system lifecycles.
• Apply Engineering Methods: Support DoD systems engineering processes to design systems resilient to advanced cyber threats, including verification against sophisticated adversaries.
• Research capability gaps in current military platforms and prototype solutions from systems engineering, software, hardware, physics, and mathematical modeling perspectives.
• Collaborate with world-class professionals to solve national security challenges.
• Gain experience presenting technical briefings on complex cybersecurity topics.

Required Qualifications – Military and Space Cybersecurity Internship Overseas

Candidates must:

• Be pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Doctorate in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, Cybersecurity, or related fields.

• Have knowledge of at least one programming language such as Python, Rust, VHDL, Verilog, C, C++, Java, MATLAB, or similar.

• Possess educational background or specialization in at least one category:

  • Software Operational Solutions: Object-oriented programming, Linux CLI, containerization (Docker/Kubernetes), database design, data classification, anomaly detection, machine learning.
  • Cyber Analytics: Threat assessment, attack frameworks, mitigation strategies, system modeling, virtualization, containerization technologies.
  • Engineering Methods: Requirements verification and validation, test and evaluation per INCOSE, DoD, or NASA standards, cybersecurity for IT systems.

• Maintain a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale.

• Be eligible for an Interim Secret clearance by start date and able to obtain Top Secret clearance. U.S. citizenship is required.

Preferred Skills – Overseas Cybersecurity Engineering Internship

• Previous experience in cybersecurity internships, competitions, or personal projects demonstrating defender or attacker perspectives.
• Knowledge of Linux/Unix systems, software application development, and cybersecurity principles.
• Skills in offensive or defensive cyber operations (Capture the Flag competitions, Hackathons, cybersecurity clubs).
• Possession of an active security clearance is advantageous.

About Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL)

APL provides world-class expertise to national security, defense, space, and scientific challenges. The organization fosters a collaborative and innovative culture, offering interns the chance to work with leading experts and gain hands-on experience on mission-critical projects.

Benefits include:

• Robust education assistance program
• Retirement contributions
• Health and life insurance
• Flexible work/life balance
• Professional development opportunities

Pay Range

• Minimum: $22.60 per hour
• Maximum: $47.95 per hour

• 2026 Military and Space Cybersecurity Engineer Internship Overseas
• Cybersecurity engineering internship for cleared students in defense and space systems
• Overseas internship for cybersecurity and systems engineering students with DoD clearance
• Internship in cyber resilience, AI/ML anomaly detection, and military systems engineering
• Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) cybersecurity internships