Communications Network Engineering Intern
MITRE
Summary
The Intelligent Network Services department (L614) within MITRE Technology and Engineering specializes in complex network challenges vital to national well-being. Our work involves researching, developing, and applying advanced technologies in core areas such as: Enterprise Network Engineering, Network Security, Network Modeling and Simulation, IT Service Management (ITSM), Infrastructure Virtualization and Containerization, Software Development.
Job description
Job Responsibilities
As an intern, you will engage in hands-on, mission-driven work under the guidance of experienced engineers. Responsibilities encompass the full lifecycle —from design and prototyping to implementation and assessment —of networking and digital service management solutions. Interns are expected to participate in the following core activities:
- Network Design & Strategy: Partner with teams to create technical architecture, frameworks, and artifacts covering network and service management domains.
- Network Implementation & Validation: Configure and validate core network services and policies —including routing/switching, DNS/DHCP, load balancing, VPNs, firewall/ACLs, and Zero Trust —in diverse environments, emphasizing deployment automation.
- AI-enabled Infrastructure: Perform as-is, to-be, and gap analyses to design and implement AI-enabled infrastructure across data centers, cloud, and on-premises environments.
- Service Improvement: Utilize IT Service Management principles and tools such as ServiceNow, to optimize service delivery processes.
- Risk Analysis: Conduct cybersecurity risk analysis on proposed designs, evaluate security postures, and recommend mitigation strategies and trade-offs.
- Technical Reporting: Clearly articulate technical findings, methodologies, and project outcomes via written reports, briefings, and demonstrations for sponsors and internal teams.
- Knowledge Sharing: Actively participate in internal MITRE technical exchange events focusing on emerging trends in networking and digital transformation.
Basic Qualifications
- Knowledge or applicable internship(s) in the fields of Network Engineering, and/or Software Development.
- Per the U.S. Government's eligibility requirements, you must be a U.S Citizen to be considered for a security clearance.
- This position requires a minimum of 4 days on-site.
- Sustained excellence in academic performance
- Must be a student enrolled full-time in an accredited degree-seeking program in computer science, computer information systems, cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical engineering or a related degree and continue to be enrolled full-time the semester following the internship.
Preferred Qualifications
- Certification: CCNA, CCNP
- Networking Knowledge: Foundational knowledge of network and network security fundamentals including IPv4/IPv6, LAN/WAN, routing, switching, firewalls, access control, VPN and Zero Trust.
- Datacenter Knowledge: Familiarity with the full lifecycle of data centers, encompassing design, operations, consolidations, and migrations; including physical infrastructure (cabling, power, and cooling) and the digital infrastructure (servers, storage, workstations, routers, switches, firewalls, and data/voice/video networks). Experience should also include modern paradigms like Software-Defined Data Centers (SDDC), hyperconverged infrastructure, edge computing, and AI-enabled Infrastructure.
- Cloud & Virtualization: Familiarity with cloud, virtualization, containerization, and Kubernetes technologies, encompassing compute, storage, and networking across cloud environments (e.g., AWS, Azure, Google Cloud).
- Software Development & Automation: Software engineering experience using languages like C++, Python, and JavaScript. Experience with scripting and automation tools such as Ansible, Terraform, PowerShell, and Bash.
- Digital Services and ITSM: Familiarity with Digital Services, IT Service Management (ITSM) concepts, and the ServiceNow platform.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
- An ability to work in both individual and team settings.
Requirements
- Knowledge or applicable internship(s) in Network Engineering and/or Software Development
- Must be a U.S. Citizen to be considered for a security clearance
- This position requires a minimum of 4 days on-site
- Sustained excellence in academic performance
- Must be a student enrolled full-time in an accredited degree-seeking program in computer science, computer information systems, cybersecurity, computer engineering, electrical engineering or a related degree
- Must continue to be enrolled full-time the semester following the internship
Benefits
- Competitive benefits
- Meaningful career development
- Culture of innovation, collaboration, and technical excellence
Company overview
MITRE is a not-for-profit corporation that operates federally funded research and development centers (FFRDCs) for various U.S. government agencies. Founded in 1958, MITRE serves as a critical bridge between government requirements and technological innovation, providing objective analysis and solutions to complex national security and public interest challenges. The organization's work spans multiple domains including cybersecurity, aviation, healthcare, defense systems, and critical infrastructure protection. MITRE operates two primary FFRDCs: one for the Department of Defense and another for the Federal Aviation Administration and Department of Homeland Security. The corporation is renowned for developing technical standards and frameworks, most notably the MITRE ATT&CK framework for cybersecurity threat modeling. With a workforce of engineers, scientists, and technical specialists, MITRE focuses on solving problems of national importance through applied research, systems engineering, and advanced technology development, maintaining strict objectivity by not manufacturing products or competing with private industry.