Controls Engineer Intern Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

IntroductionThe National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine value diversity in our members, volunteers, and staff and strive for a culture of inclusion in our workplace and activities. Convening a diverse community to exchange ideas and perspectives enhances the quality of our work and increases our relevance as advisers to the nation about the most complex issues facing the nation and the world.

OverviewRequisition Number: R0002721
Under close supervision, the IT Infrastructure Support Intern performs a variety of technical and operational tasks designed to provide hands-on learning and exposure to enterprise IT and data center environments. Responsibilities include supporting routine activities and special projects such as maintaining system inventory data, assisting with hardware preparation and configuration, organizing equipment, and data collection and documentation.
This position is intended for college students with an interest in information technology, engineering, or business operations who are seeking practical, on-the-job experience. The intern will follow clearly defined procedures to complete routine assignments, contribute to research and evaluation efforts (e.g., tools and inventory systems), and support ongoing initiatives that improve efficiency and organization within the IT environment.

Responsibilities

SolarWinds Inventory Data Management

• Review and update custom inventory fields within SolarWinds nodes to ensure accuracy and consistency.

• Maintain detailed asset information (e.g., server role, rack location, NAS number, service tag, iDRAC details) to support alerting and operational visibility.

• Assist in reviewing and updating existing nodes and correcting outdated or missing data resulting from hardware changes or replacements.

Spare Equipment Preparation

• Assist with firmware updates on spare servers and related hardware, including BIOS, RAID controllers, network adapters, and iDRAC interfaces.

• Assist with installing and configuring operating systems (e.g., Windows) on spare equipment where applicable.

• Assist with preparing configurations to streamline future deployment and reduce setup time.

Spare Inventory Organization

• Catalog and organize spare equipment such as cables, hard drives, network/fiber adapters, rack rails, and other components.

• Maintain clear documentation to improve accessibility and inventory tracking.

Data Center Rack Optimization

• Assist in identifying and removing obsolete or unused cabling associated with decommissioned systems.

• Support improvements to rack organization to enhance airflow, reduce clutter, and simplify future maintenance activities.

Microsoft Lists Evaluation (M365)

• Support the evaluation of Microsoft Lists as a potential solution for operational data and inventory tracking.

• Assist in designing and testing structured data forms with standardized fields and dropdown options.

• Help evaluate integration with Excel for reporting and data analysis purposes.

• Contribute to recommendations on feasibility and implementation scope.

NONESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES

• Related duties and special projects assigned.

Requirements

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:  Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite.  Ability to solve problems with supervisory consultation or by following procedures.  Ability to prioritize work and the flexibility to change directions as the job dictates.  Ability to work successfully in a team environment.  Ability to develop relationships with co-workers and employees in other National Academies' departments through effective communication.  Good written, verbal, and interpersonal skills with an ability to effectively interact with all levels of employees.

Minimum Education/Training Requirements:  High school diploma, GED, or equivalent knowledge.  Current enrollment in an undergraduate or graduate degree college or university program.

Preferred: Coursework or demonstrated interest in IT, computer science, engineering, or related field.

Minimum Experience:  None.

Physical Capabilities:  Ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

Required Licenses, Certification or Registration:  None.

Supervisory Responsibilities/Controls:  Reports to manager/supervisor.  Supervisor is available to organize work, set objectives, and to assist in problem resolution.

Compensation: The compensation for this position is $18.50 per hour, plus potential overtime.

Work Environment:  Office environment, with occasional travel between National Academies' facilities and to off-site meeting/sponsor locations.