Cybersecurity Project Manager Intern

Cybersecurity Project Manager Intern

This is an
unpaid internship
with potential for future stipend or paid opportunities based on performance and funding; applicants must explicitly acknowledge acceptance of the unpaid terms to be considered.​​

About Value Aligners

Value Aligners is an AI-driven cybersecurity marketplace disrupting the industry in favor of SMB vendors and SMB business clients by simplifying discovery, evaluation, and adoption of right-fit security solutions. The team is building an MVP-to-alpha platform that blends compliance workflows, risk assessment, and vendor matchmaking with agentic AI to deliver practical outcomes for SMBs.​

Role summary

The Cybersecurity Project Manager Intern leads Jira-centered planning and execution, drives clear stakeholder communication, and partners with engineering/DevOps to deliver security workstreams on time and with quality. Success requires focus and goal orientation, a pragmatic problem-solving mindset, perseverance, and meticulous attention to detail, alongside a foundational cybersecurity background and strong interest in the fast-growing cybersecurity domain.​

Responsibilities

• Manage Jira boards end to end: epics/stories, backlog prioritization, sprint planning, workflows, acceptance criteria, dashboards, and delivery metrics.​
• Run agile ceremonies (standups, grooming, planning, reviews, retros) and document decisions, risks, owners, and deadlines with crisp follow-through.​
• Coordinate with DevOps on CI/CD timing, environments, releases, and change windows; maintain lightweight delivery plans and RAID logs.​
• Translate requirements into executable tickets and testable outcomes; track definition of done across security, performance, and usability.​
• Support basic GRC and security deliverables for SMB use cases (e.g., control tracking, simple assessments, evidence collection workflow).​
• Triage and resolve delivery issues pragmatically: reproduce, prioritize, assign, verify fixes, and prevent recurrences via playbooks/checklists.​
• Publish concise weekly status updates using Jira dashboards covering goals, progress, risks/blockers, and next steps.​

Required qualifications

• Currently pursuing a bachelor's or master's in Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Computer Science, Business, or related field; recent graduates with relevant experience are welcome.
• Proficiency with Jira for project management, including epics/stories, backlogs, sprint planning, workflows, dashboards, and reports.
• Strong written and verbal communication; able to synthesize complex issues and present clear updates and decisions.
• Demonstrated concentration, focus, and goal-oriented execution in fast-moving projects; consistent milestone delivery.
• Pragmatic, structured problem-solving with perseverance and high attention to detail across planning, execution, and QA.
• Foundational cybersecurity background via coursework, projects, certifications, or internships; enthusiasm for SMB security challenges.
• Comfortable collaborating with DevOps and engineering, with basic understanding of CI/CD, environments, releases, and system integration.
• Technical familiarity with APIs, cloud infrastructure (e.g., Azure), and databases (e.g., PostgreSQL) to enable effective cross-team collaboration.

Nice to have

• Familiarity with agile delivery metrics (velocity, cycle time) and lightweight RAID/risk logs.​
• Exposure to SMB GRC basics (controls, simple assessments, evidence tracking).​
• Experience coordinating UAT, drafting acceptance criteria, and validating definition of done.​

What We Offer

• Flexible part-time hours per week) over 3-6 months, renewable based on performance, with options for remote or on-site work in Oakland, CA.
• Hands-on mentorship from our founder, offering PhD-level insights into cybersecurity and entrepreneurship, plus exposure to the full product development lifecycle.
• Opportunity to build portfolio projects, such as contributing to risk scoring algorithms or compliance tools, in a collaborative, international team setting.
• Networking in the Bay Area tech ecosystem, potential for paid collaborations or full-time roles, and experience in a rapidly evolving field like AI-driven cybersecurity.
• Initially unpaid internship with stipends available based on funding (e.g., $20-25/hour for qualified candidates), emphasizing skill growth and future opportunities.​​​

How to Apply

Submit your CV and a cover letter to  with the subject line "Cybersecurity PM Intern Application - Your Name." In your cover letter, highlight:

1. Your proficiency in Jira and technical collaboration skills for DevOps and AI partnerships.
2. Any projects or experience in cybersecurity product management, research, or AI/cybersecurity tools.
3. Your strong communication, focus, and problem-solving abilities.
4. Your cybersecurity background and enthusiasm for the fast-paced industry.
5. Relevant coursework, certifications (e.g., in AI or compliance), or availability (part-time/full-time, remote/on-site).
6. Demonstrate how your background supports bridging cybersecurity providers and customers. We're excited to welcome driven interns to shape the future of our platform