Network Engineering & Operations Intern

Leidos, a leading defense, intelligence, and technology company, is seeking motivated and aspiring technology students for our Summer 2027 Internship Program (Starts May 2027). As a Network Engineering & Operations Intern, you will join our Digital Sector on the Global Solutions Management – Operations II (GSM-O II) contract at Scott AFB, IL. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience supporting the Defense Information System Network (DISN), one of the world's largest and most complex networks, in direct support of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).

Your Opportunity:

As our team helps lead DISA's transition to next-generation telecommunication platforms, you will be embedded directly with our engineering and operations teams. You will learn how critical military communication infrastructure is designed, implemented, and sustained, giving you real-world experience that you can't get in a classroom. You won't be working on a test network; you will be performing real tasks on the live, global network that supports the DoD's most critical missions.

What You’ll Do (Potential Projects & Learning Opportunities):

• Shadow and assist senior engineers with customer coordination, network testing, and new service activations.
• Gain exposure to the Change Management process by learning how Service Orders and Telecommunication Service Orders (TSOs) are managed.
• Learn how to analyze network databases and documentation to validate customer requirements.
• Assist in monitoring network health and performance after scheduled changes are implemented.
• Collaborate with a team of experienced engineers and analysts, learning how to translate technical problems into actionable solutions.
• Gain an understanding of how different DISA organizations work together to fulfill mission partner requirements.

What You’ll Bring (Required):

• Citizenship & Clearance: Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance. 
• Education: Currently pursuing a degree in a relevant field such as Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related engineering discipline.
• Technical Foundation: A foundational understanding of basic networking concepts (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP) and the OSI model.
• Analytical Mindset: A strong desire to learn, keen attention to detail, and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Teamwork: A collaborative attitude with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Location: This internship is based on-site at Scott AFB, Illinois. All work must be performed on site – no teleworking opportunities.

What We Want (Desired):

• Certifications: Obtaining a CompTIA Security+ certification (or any certification that aligns with DoD 8570 IAT Level II) before the start date is strongly encouraged.
• Hands-On Experience: Experience from home labs, class projects, or prior internships is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with:
  • Basic router/switch configurations.
  • Using ServiceNow or other ITSM ticketing systems.
  • Working in a team-based, project-oriented environment.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.