Project Manager - USAFE (SkillBridge Intern) - 26541

Summary

This is an UNPAID internship through the DoD SkillBridge Program for transitioning active-duty US military personnel. DoD SkillBridge Internships are available to help transitioning active-duty military personnel gain real-world experience in the work force sometime during their final 180 days of active-duty service. The intern will actively train on meaningful projects and work closely with a mentor and with senior company leadership. HII Mission Technologies Internship programs are focused on placing transitioning military into internships that require KSAs, Education & Military Training similar to their current or previous military jobs; positions that could easily transition over to a full-time regular and permanent job with HII.

Objective

The SkillBridge intern will train as a Project Manager supporting U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) within HII Mission Technologies. Under the supervision of a designated Senior Program or Project Manager, the intern will gain hands‑on experience in project coordination, milestone tracking, budget awareness, and cross‑functional communication through fully controlled internal simulations. All customer‑facing interactions—including those involving government stakeholders—will be conducted exclusively through HII‑orchestrated simulations to ensure full compliance with DoD representation guidelines. The intern may be assigned special projects aligned to USAFE‑related mission sets.

Desired End State (2‑Month Target)

At the end of this training, the intern will learn:

• Simulated Government Stakeholder Engagement Build diplomatic communication and expectation‑management skills through structured simulations representing USAFE customers and partner organizations.
• Project Coordination, Monitoring & Reporting Gain practical experience in tracking milestones, budgets, risks, and deliverables using internal tools and scenario‑based exercises.
• International Project Support & Cross‑Functional Alignment Understand the complexities of multi‑location performance environments through case studies and simulated European theater project workflows.
• Ethical Leadership & Compliance Strengthen decision‑making, conflict‑management, and quality‑assurance skills while ensuring all training activities adhere to DoD SkillBridge representation restrictions.
• HII Mission Technologies will benefit from the intern’s operational background, disciplined approach, and ability to support complex, multinational project environments.

Assumptions / Restrictions

• SkillBridge interns are not authorized to represent HII to DoD or Government customers. All “customer engagement,” “stakeholder communication,” and “international coordination” activities will be conducted through simulations or under the umbrella of "training and evaluation" for this program.
• Interns may participate in internal project management, planning, and reporting activities as long as no external customer interaction occurs.
  If selected and approved, the intern may train at an HII office supporting USAFE programs, depending on location availability and program needs

Program of Instruction

Training Location: Ramstein Airbase, Germany / Remote (HYBRID)
 
Training Plan
 
Phase 1 – Foundations & USAFE Program Orientation
Week 1: Orientation & European Theater Overview
-Understand HII Mission Technologies’ mission, structure, and USAFE support portfolio.
-Review DoD representation guidelines and ethical considerations for international programs.
-Learn the fundamentals of performance based contracts and multinational project environments.
-Introduction to internal tools used for project tracking, reporting, and communication.
Week 2: Simulated Stakeholder Engagement & Communication
-Participate in simulated interactions with internal staff acting as USAFE government stakeholders.
-Practice diplomatic communication, expectation management, and escalation pathways.
-Learn techniques for communicating across diverse teams and international time zones.
-Review ethical boundaries and SkillBridge restrictions during simulated engagements.
Week 3: Project Planning & Operational Coordination
-Study project scope definition, milestone planning, and resource alignment.
-Participate in simulated planning sessions with cross functional teams.
-Learn prioritization strategies for multi project environments.
-Practice documenting requirements and translating them into actionable tasks.
 
Phase 2 – Project Execution, Monitoring & Reporting
Week 4: Risk Management, Budget Tracking & Quality Assurance
-Identify and assess risks in simulated USAFE project scenarios.
-Develop mitigation plans and present them to mentors for feedback.
-Learn to review budgets, track expenditures, and identify variances.
-Study quality assurance practices and performance based contract requirements.
Week 5: Performance Monitoring, KPIs & Problem Solving
-Learn to establish and monitor project KPIs (schedule adherence, cost performance, deliverable quality).
-Create simulated status reports and review them with senior project managers.
-Practice intervention and problem solving techniques for schedule or performance deviations.
-Explore tools and methods for monitoring multi location project execution.
 
Phase 3 – International Contracting, Collaboration & Leadership Development
Week 6: Cross Functional & International Collaboration
-Examine collaboration between project management, line management, engineering, logistics, and finance.
-Participate in simulated coordination exercises involving multiple European performance locations.
-Refine communication strategies for multinational and cross cultural environments.
Week 7: Contract Compliance & Information Deliverables
-Study federal contracting frameworks relevant to USAFE support.
-Map simulated contract requirements to deliverables, milestones, and reporting obligations.
-Practice developing monthly progress reports, schedules, and issue summaries.
-Learn best practices for preparing information deliverables for government customers (simulation only).
Week 8: Leadership Development & Continuous Improvement
-Engage in leadership exercises focused on diplomacy, conflict management, and team cohesion.
-Practice tactful communication and problem resolution in simulated high pressure scenarios.
-Evaluate prior simulations to identify process improvements.
-Develop a final improvement proposal for USAFE aligned project workflows or reporting processes.
 
Additional Goals
-Expand internal professional networks within HII’s international program management community.
-Gain exposure to HII’s broader Mission Technologies portfolio supporting global operations.
-Strengthen readiness for future roles in project management, international program support, or USAFE aligned missions.

Minimum Qualifications

Active-Duty Military ONLY within final 180 days of active-duty service. Applications accepted within final 12-months of active-duty US military service. Education and Experience dependent on Program of Instruction.

• 6 years relevant progressive experience with Bachelors in related field; 4 years relevant progressive experience with Masters in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 10 years relevant progressive experience
• Strong leadership, diplomatic and motivational skills including the ability to lead up, across, and down multiple business and technology organizations
• Proven ability to work creatively and analytically in a problem-solving environment demonstrating teamwork, innovation, and excellence
• Clearance: Must possess and maintain a TS/SCI

Preferred Requirements

• Experience managing performance-based projects and/or programs with multiple international performance locations
• Possess demonstrated experience in the areas of people and conflict management with tact and discretion
• Experience supporting USAFE programs

Physical Requirements

Physical Requirements will vary and is dependent on the Program of Instruction.