Business Development Intern

Paid Internship – E-Commerce, Procurement & Government Contracting

Location: San Diego, CA (In-Person Preferred)
Compensation: Paid Internship
Company: Ethos Fire

About Us

Ethos Fire is a firefighter-owned company dedicated to supporting firefighters, fire departments, and emergency response organizations throughout California and beyond. We specialize in providing quality firefighting equipment, apparel, and emergency response products while delivering exceptional customer service and industry expertise.

We're looking for a motivated, self-starting intern who wants hands-on experience in e-commerce, government contracting, procurement, sales, and business operations. This is not a coffee-running internship. You'll work directly with leadership and gain real-world experience managing projects that directly impact the company's growth.

What You'll Do

Government Contracting & Procurement

Manage the full lifecycle of public procurement opportunities, from identifying bid opportunities to preparing and submitting proposals.

Monitor government bidding platforms and procurement portals.

Maintain organized records of contracts, bids, and vendor documentation.

Assist with contract compliance and follow-up communications.

Research procurement trends and identify new business opportunities.

E-Commerce & Digital Operations

Help maintain and improve our Shopify e-commerce platform.

Create and update product listings, descriptions, and product information.

Assist with website optimization and user experience improvements.

Support inventory and product data management.

Help identify opportunities to improve online sales performance.

Sales & Relationship Development

Build relationships with local fire departments and emergency response agencies.

Assist in gathering customer requirements and product needs.

Support customer service inquiries and follow-up communications.

Represent a firefighter-focused company with professionalism and integrity.

Business Operations

Assist with supplier communications and vendor management.

Support procurement and purchasing activities.

Analyze operational processes and recommend improvements.

Contribute to special projects that support company growth.

What We're Looking For:

Currently pursuing or recently completed a degree in Business, Supply Chain, Marketing, Public Administration, Communications, or a related field.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Highly organized with exceptional attention to detail.

Self-motivated and capable of working independently.

Comfortable learning new systems and technologies.

Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Office.

Strong problem-solving and analytical skills.

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with Shopify or e-commerce platforms.

Experience with Adobe Acrobat and PDF editing.

Interest in government contracting, procurement, or public sector sales.

Experience with data analysis, reporting, or business operations.

Understanding of digital marketing or website management.

What You'll Gain

Direct experience with government contracting and public procurement.

Hands-on Shopify and e-commerce management experience.

Exposure to procurement, logistics, and supply chain operations.

Professional sales and relationship-building experience.

Mentorship from company leadership.

Opportunities to take ownership of meaningful projects.

A chance to make a real impact within a growing firefighter-owned business.

Why Ethos Fire?

We're a small, agile company where your work matters. You'll gain exposure to multiple aspects of business operations and develop skills that are difficult to find in traditional internships. If you're looking for a role where you can learn quickly, take initiative, and help build something meaningful, we'd love to hear from you.

Join us in supporting those who serve their communities every day.