Calspan is the premier independent provider of testing and technology development services, solutions, and systems in the aerospace, defense, and automotive industries. Our diverse skill set and unique testing capabilities help innovators push the limits of technology to transform the future.

We are seeking motivated individuals to join Calspan’s 9-month LEAP internship program. This program is designed to accelerate early career growth through hands-on job experience, strategic projects, and leadership development.

LEAP: Leadership, Excellence, Accountability, Performance

Leadership:   Cultivating future leaders through high-impact projects.

Excellence:    Driving continuous improvement in operations, sales, and engineering.

Accountability: Owning outcomes with measurable business results.

Performance: Contributing to strategic business value through productivity, customer strategy, and innovation.

Program Details

Duration:         Full-time, 9-month internship

Structure:        Placement in a Calspan’s core business area (Operations, Sales, & Engineering)

Location:         Calspan, Buffalo, NY (Corporate Headquarters)

Be Calspan: Core Values in Every Core Area

Inclusiveness: Cross-functional work fosters open communication, trust, and diverse collaboration.

Accountability: Projects are owned end-to-end, with structured feedback and measurable results.

Innovation: Interns tackle real business challenges, propose improvements, and drive creative solutions in operations and services.

Strategic Program Placement

As part of our commitment to developing future talent and driving business excellence, interns will be embedded in areas that are central to Calspan’s long-term success—such as productivity enhancements, price optimization, or the pursuit of profitable new business.

Through this placement, interns will:

• Gain exposure to high-impact initiatives that align with the company’s key value drivers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to support strategic planning, execution, and performance tracking.
• Contribute to real-world projects that influence decision-making and operational outcomes.
• Develop a deep understanding of how core business functions shape organizational growth and competitiveness.

Key Impact Areas

Productivity – Business Operations

• Champion initiatives aimed at increasing organizational throughput by streamlining workflows, automating routine tasks, and enhancing cross-functional collaboration.
• Identify and eliminate bottlenecks in key operational processes.
• Leverage data analytics to measure performance, track key metrics, improve labor planning and utilization, and drive continuous improvement efforts across departments.
• Promote a culture of operational excellence through knowledge sharing, standardized practices, and scalable solutions.

Price Optimization – Sales/Business Development

• Conduct rigorous pricing analysis by assessing market conditions, customer segmentation, competitive positioning, and historical sales data.
• Evaluate and refine service offerings to ensure alignment with customer needs and a value-based price approach.
• Drive adoption of value-based pricing strategies by quantifying the tangible and intangible benefits delivered to customers.

Profitable New Business – Sales / Engineering

• Partner with business development and innovation teams to identify emerging market opportunities and unmet customer needs.
• Shape forward-looking service offerings by integrating customer feedback, industry trends, and competitive insights into product development roadmaps.
• Support go-to-market strategies for new solutions, including ROI analysis.Bottom of Form

Values in Practice
Interns have the opportunity for company-wide recognition through Calspan’s M2E & E2E program for demonstrating Inclusiveness, Accountability, and/or Innovation.

Career Path Enhancement

• Opportunity for full-time employment conversion.
• Access to industry experts in the aerospace and automotive industries.
• Mentorship and career resources.
• Gain visibility and readiness for future aerospace and automotive industry roles.

Who Should Apply?

Motivated students in an MBA program, recent MBA graduates, or early-career professionals.

Ideal candidates will:

• have completed their MBA program or will complete their MBA throughout the 9-month LEAP program.
• demonstrate strong analytical and critical thinking skills, with the ability to distill complex problems into actionable solutions.
• possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills, enabling effective collaboration across technical and business functions.
• show a track record of leadership, through academic, extracurricular, or professional experience.
• exhibit curiosity and initiative—proactively identifying opportunities for improvement and driving innovation.
• be comfortable working in dynamic, fast-paced environments with shifting priorities and high expectations.

Interested candidates are required to submit the following:

Cover Letter - required

• Addressed to Calspan’s LEAP Program Selection Committee.
• Explain interest in the LEAP program and how you embody Leadership, Excellence, Accountability, and Performance.

Updated Resume - required

• Highlight MBA coursework, leadership experience, strategic projects, and any industry exposure.

 Work Schedule: Onsite / Monday - Friday

Why join Calspan?

Be Calspan Culture

At Calspan, we promote an environment that empowers employees and encourages innovation. Our management team fosters a strong sense of teamwork in every endeavor, where successes are shared and lessons are learned. The company’s talent brand, “Be Calspan”, incorporates our company values to Be Inclusive, Accountable, and Innovative and our commitment to drive every individual to - Be Developed, Be Balanced, Be Connected, Be Community and Be Recognized. Our culture promotes a positive atmosphere and a competitive can-do method of action.

All candidates must be eligible to work in the United States.