Graduate Summer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

WE ARE THE NRO
For over 60 years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched, and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America's advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet. Learn more at nro.gov.
Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be suitable for federal employment, as determined by a background investigation
• Be able to obtain and hold a TS/SCI security clearance, including a polygraph
• Have favorable results on a pre-employment drug test
• Register for the Selective Service System if male, over 18 years of age and born after Dec 31, 1959

NRO Summer Intern Program
Are you ready to learn what it takes to be a member of our dynamic and multifaceted team of skilled professionals? Apply to participate in NRO's Dr. Chris Scolese Summer Internship Program today! We're actively seeking motivated highly qualified candidates in the Contracting, Financial Management and Technical Career Field. To learn more about these careers please click here.
The NRO Summer Internship Program provides students pursuing education with paid opportunities to work at the NRO and explore career paths related to their academic field of study or career interest. Interns will receive training and guidance to prepare them to support NRO projects and initiatives.
Summer interns are full-time employees on a temporary appointment for the period of 10 weeks between June and August. With a successful evaluation at the end of the summer, there may be an opportunity to return during subsequent summers based on mission requirements, continued eligibility, and the student's availability.
What You Will Be Doing
Intern Projects: Each intern will be given a project to complete that aligns with mission need. Specific duties will expose individuals to independent and team-oriented work opportunities. Each intern performs under direct supervision and will be provided feedback on a regular and timely basis.
Professional Development and Training: Throughout the summer, NRO interns will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of professional development and training experiences. Some of these events include speaker series with NRO seniors, Security Q&A sessions, and NRO mission overviews.
Who May Apply
To be eligible for the program, the requirements include:

• Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university.
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• Undergraduates must have a completed a minimum of 24 credit hours at the time of application.
• Provide an unofficial transcript at the time of application and an official transcript upon acceptance into the program from the academic institution.
• Be available for an interview and other applicable processing.
• NRO prohibits illegal drug involvement during employment, regardless of state level legalization, and requires a passing pre-employment drug screening. Prior drug use is carefully evaluated.
• Be available, and geographically located near Chantilly, Virginia for the 10-week summer program from June – August.

Preferred qualifications include:

• Strong oral and written communication skills.
• Good organization and planning skills and be able to demonstrate effective project coordination and implementation based on past work or school experiences.
• Possess deductive reasoning skills and be able to analyze and synthesize information for problem-solving.

What You Need To Apply
Required – Resume and Transcript
In order to qualify for this position, your resume and transcripts must provide sufficient evidence of experience and/or education relevant to the specific position for which you are being considered. Your resume will be evaluated based on the following criteria: range of occupational skills relevant to the position, alignment of education and/or work experience to the position, evidence of your experience collaborating with others, and evidence of your experience presenting information-communication skills. Please be clear and concise when describing your experience.
Please upload a .pdf copy of your current transcript from the institution you are currently attending. If you have started a graduate program but have not completed your first semester, you must submit your conferred undergraduate degree, along with proof of enrollment in a full-time graduate program.
Although NRO will accept unofficial transcripts at the time of the application, an official transcript is required to receive a final job offer. The official transcript will show your full-time enrollment into a program for the Fall (2026) semester of the internship year.
Applicants submitting a resume that exceeds the two-page limit per OPM Memorandum, “Merit Hiring Plan,” dated May 29, 2025, https://www.opm.gov/chcoc/latest-memos/merit-hiring-plan.pdf will not be eligible for consideration. For more information regarding resume writing, see “Guidance for Applicants on 2-Page Resume” and visit the Resume Help Center.
We cannot accept transcripts with limited information. When uploading your transcript, ensure it includes the following information:

• Your Name
• College/University Name
• Overall GPA
• Number of course credits

Locations

• Chantilly, Virginia (All positions)
• Buckley Air Force Base, Colorado (Technical Career Field only)
• Fort Belvoir, Virginia (Technical Career Field only)
• White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico (Technical Career Field only)

Salary
2026 Salary Range for Washington D.C. Metro Area:

• Working towards:
  • Bachelor's Degree: GG-06, Step 05 - $58,884 per year
  • Master's Degree: GG-07, Step 05 - $65,435 per year
  • Doctorate: GG-09, Step 05 - $80,041 per year

Federal pay is a combination of base and locality pay which is based on the geographic location of where you work.
These positions are Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) positions in the Expected Service under Title 10 USC 1601.
Application Information
Please review instructions prior to completing the application and answer all question carefully. Please review the description for the job you are applying for:
Technical
Provides technical expertise in support of acquisition, operations, mission support, launch, and other NRO missions. Offers knowledge and experience in a broad range of technical domains and specialties including research, design, development, integration and testing, program management, launch, operations, maintenance, and disposal of cutting-edge overhead intelligence systems for national security. Examples of accepted educational pursuits for jobs in this career field include:

• Aerospace Engineering
• Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning
• Computer Science
• Data Science
• Electrical Engineering
• General Engineering
• Information Technology
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Operations Research
• Program Analysis

What You Will Be Doing
NRO Interns (GG 6-9) will receive training and guidance in the following opportunities:

• Prepares and evaluates plans and designs for engineering projects; researches trends and patterns; conducts technical analysis; evaluates the value and appli