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Flight Intern Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

powercon

Onboarding Specialist

Chicago, IL

$60K - $80K/yr

Provide back-up coverage for Union and Intern hiring and onboarding. * Responsible for accurate and ... and making flight and hotel reservations. * Manage external job postings. * Serve as badging ...

powercon

Onboarding Specialist

Chicago, IL

$60K - $80K/yr

Provide back-up coverage for Union and Intern hiring and onboarding. * Responsible for accurate and ... and making flight and hotel reservations. * Manage external job postings. * Serve as badging ...

Power Construction

Onboarding Specialist

Chicago, IL · On-site

$60K - $80K/yr

Provide back-up coverage for Union and Intern hiring and onboarding. * Responsible for accurate and ... and making flight and hotel reservations. * Manage external job postings. * Serve as badging ...

All JobsFlight Intern JobsFlight Intern Jobs in Chicago, IL

Flight Intern information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$9

$17

$25

How much do flight intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for flight intern in Chicago, IL is $17.55, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.86 and $19.81 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a flight intern?

Flight Interns are students or recent graduates who gain practical, hands-on experience within an aviation organization, such as an airline or airport, through an internship program. Their responsibilities often include assisting with flight operations, learning about airline procedures, supporting administrative tasks, and shadowing experienced aviation professionals. This role provides valuable industry knowledge, networking opportunities, and insight into potential career paths in aviation, making it a great stepping stone for those interested in becoming pilots, flight dispatchers, or aviation managers.

What tasks and responsibilities does a flight intern have, and how do they interact with the flight operations team?

As a Flight Intern, you can expect to support the flight operations team with a range of responsibilities, such as assisting with pre-flight planning, tracking flight schedules, and preparing documentation. You'll often collaborate with pilots, dispatchers, and maintenance crews, gaining insight into daily flight operations and logistics. Many interns also participate in briefing sessions and may observe flights, depending on company policy. This collaborative environment is a great opportunity to develop hands-on experience and build professional relationships in the aviation industry.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a flight intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Flight Intern, you typically need a foundational understanding of aviation principles, basic flight operations, and often enrollment in or completion of an aviation-related degree program. Familiarity with flight planning software, weather briefing tools, and sometimes experience with flight simulators or aviation management systems is advantageous. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set outstanding candidates apart in this role. These skills are crucial for supporting flight operations efficiently, ensuring compliance with safety protocols, and facilitating smooth team collaboration in a highly regulated environment.

What is the difference between Flight Intern vs Flight Attendant?

AspectFlight InternFlight Attendant
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some programs may require aviation-related courseworkHigh school diploma; certification in safety and first aid often required
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in training or ground operationsOnboard aircraft, passenger service, safety procedures
Employer & Industry UsageAirlines during training or internship programsCommercial airlines, private jets, charter services
Common Search & ComparisonOften searched by students or aspiring aviation professionalsMore common in passenger service roles

The main difference is that a Flight Intern is typically a trainee gaining experience in aviation, often during an internship program, while a Flight Attendant is a trained professional responsible for passenger safety and comfort onboard flights. Interns usually focus on learning and observation, whereas Flight Attendants perform active service and safety duties during flights.

What are the most commonly searched types of Flight jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Flight jobs in Chicago, IL are:

Flight Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Flight Intern job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $36,504 per year, or $17.6 per hour.

Far Horizons Undergraduate Intern

Adler Planetarium

Chicago, IL • On-site

$18.02/hr

Temporary

Retirement, PTO

Posted 2 days ago

New

Job description

Far Horizons Undergraduate Intern

Part-Time Temporary

Non-Exempt




About the Adler Planetarium

The Adler Planetarium connects people to the universe and each other. Whether introducing a guest to the Ring Nebula, a neighborhood school to a community partner, a research team to a network of citizen scientists, or one staff member to another, the Adler's focus on meaningful connections dates back nearly a century.


Today, the museum typically hosts close to 400,000 visitors annually and reaches millions more through youth STEAM programs, neighborhood skywatching events, online citizen science, and other outreach efforts. With the Adler's support, people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities gain the confidence to learn more about science and space discovery, and to explore their universe together under the sky we all share.



The Position

The Adler Planetarium is seeking three Far Horizons Undergraduate Interns to join our dynamic team on Chicago's Museum Campus. The interns will work with the Far Horizons team to design, build, and test a prototype star tracker for the Adler's Rapid Deployment Stratospheric UV Observatory. A star tracker is a camera-based navigation instrument that images the sky, identifies stars in its field of view, and uses their positions to determine the instrument's pointing direction.


The project combines astronomy, optical instrumentation, electronics, embedded computing, software, data analysis, and hands-on engineering. The interns will assemble a working prototype, develop and integrate software for image acquisition and astrometric solving, characterize its performance under realistic conditions, and use test results to improve the design. The prototype will be tested both on the ground and aboard a high-altitude balloon launched and recovered with the Far Horizons team.


This individual (as part of the team) will also be responsible for:


  • Developing the hardware and software design of a prototype star tracker, including camera, optics, computer, sensors, mechanical mounting, power, thermal considerations, and system interfaces.

  • Assembling and configuring the prototype and integrating software for image acquisition, star identification, astrometric solutions, inertial-sensor data, data logging, and communication of pointing information to a flight computer.

  • Conducting laboratory and night-sky tests to measure sensitivity, pointing accuracy, solution rate, optical performance, motion effects, thermal behavior, and reliability; analyzing test data and making design improvements.

  • Participating in preparation, launch, tracking, and recovery of a high-altitude balloon flight used to test the star tracker, and documenting the design, test procedures, results, and recommendations for future development.


The internship is expected to run through the 2026-27 academic year. Work will primarily take place at the Adler Planetarium for approximately six hours on Saturdays, with approximately two additional hours of remote or independent work during the week. The internship is designed as a sustained engineering project of approximately 240 hours per Intern. Some night-sky testing will be required, and at least one high-altitude balloon mission will take place from a field location in the Chicago region during the internship.



The Work Schedule

The typical work schedule for this position is 8 hours per week, from 10 AM to 4 PM, with a flextime and telecommuting option—1 day a week telecommuting and 1 day onsite at the museum.


The Compensation & Benefits (Part-Time)

Base Pay Range: $18.02/hr

Work-Life Balance

  • 7 to 25-hour workweek

  • Eligible to accrue up to 6 vacation days per year

  • 3 sick days as of date of hire (can accrue up to 6.5 days per year)

  • Eligible to earn time and a half for working on any of the 7 Adler-observed holidays

  • Flexible work arrangements

  • Paid Family Bereavement Leave & Jury Duty

  • Paid Parental Leave

Commuter flexible spending account

Retirement Savings Plan

  • 403B plan with Adler match

  • Adler match is 100% vested immediately

  • Eligible to enroll as of the date of hire

Network of Support through our EAP programs

  • Resources to help address emotional, legal, and financial issues

  • Face-to-face, telephonic, and web-based services

  • Free subscription to the Calm Premium app

Employee Loan Program

Discounted Onsite Parking Program

Free Entrance to Chicago area museums and cultural institutions



The Person

The ideal Far Horizons Undergraduate Intern is curious about how scientific instruments work and interested in applying science, programming, and engineering to a real research problem. This may include interest or experience in engineering, computer science, physics, astronomy, robotics, or related STEM fields. They are eager to build and test hardware, work with data, troubleshoot problems systematically, and learn new technical skills along the way. The Intern should be detail-oriented, resourceful, open to feedback, and able to work collaboratively as part of a small project team.


Required Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or equivalent

  • Active enrollment in an undergraduate program in Illinois, or an Illinois resident enrolled in an undergraduate program in engineering, computer science, physics, astronomy, or a related STEM field.

  • Basic quantitative and computer skills appropriate to an undergraduate STEM student

  • Demonstrated interest in hands-on technical, scientific, or engineering work through coursework, projects, clubs, hobbies, employment, or other activities.

  • Ability and willingness to learn programming, electronics, optical instrumentation, data analysis, and scientific testing; prior experience with star trackers or astronomical instrumentation is not required


Preferred Qualifications:

  • Some experience with Python or another programming language

  • Experience with Raspberry Pi, Arduino, or similar computers or microcontrollers

  • Experience with electronics, sensors, mechanical assembly, prototyping, or instrumentation

  • Familiarity with Linux, image or data analysis, and/or observational astronomy

  • Ability to follow technical procedures, troubleshoot problems systematically, and clearly document engineering and scientific work


Funding for these positions is provided through a federal grant from NASA and the Illinois Space Grant Consortium. A condition of employment under this federal grant is the ability to provide proof of U.S. citizenship at the time of hire.



The Adler Planetarium is dedicated to complying with its Equal Opportunity employer obligations. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please email the Human Resources Department at recruiting@adlerplanetarium.org and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Accommodation requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

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