Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship

Job Description

About the Role
The Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship at ISW focuses on leveraging Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies to enhance research collection, intelligence analysis, and visualizations, providing practical, hands-on experience in national security and intelligence applications.

What You’ll Do
• Use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing, and data visualization.
• Help refine how ISW’s analysts implement cutting-edge tools.
• Support data collection, analysis, and visualizations that support ISW’s world-renowned maps.
• Have valuable interactions with software partners who are transforming the national security space.
• Receive further training on some of these platforms.

You’re a Good Fit If You
• Are a motivated and organized college student or recent graduate with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
• Possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
• Possess strong capabilities in GIS software such as Esri’s ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or ArcGIS Online.
• Display the ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
• Are self-motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be physically present in the United States during the internship tenure.
• Must be eligible for and obtain CPT authorization before beginning at ISW, if attending a US university on a student visa.
• Show commitment to—and interest in—the core mission and values of ISW.

Bonus Qualifications
• Experience with SQL or ArcGIS Python (Arcpy).
• Have a demonstrated interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly Russia, Ukraine, China, or issues in the Middle East.

Role Highlights & Compensation
• ISW offers in-person, remote, and hybrid internships remote.
• Interns work directly with analysts.
• Interns receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community.
• Opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines.
• ISW views interns as an integral component of its team.
• Interns have drafted, edited, and published their own research under the mentorship of senior analysts.
• Many interns have been hired onto ISW staff.
• ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.
• This is a full-time internship (five days per week), but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
• A scholarship program offers up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend.
• The scholarship is classified as taxable income.
• The Fall 2026 internship program starts September 8, 2026, and runs until December 11.
• Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.