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

Department: Academic Affairs

Classification: GMU Worker

Job Category: Part-Time / Hourly Wage

Job Type: Part-Time

Location: iHub, Colorado Springs, CO

Workplace Type: On Site Required

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Partnership Intermediary Agreement (PIA) supports George Mason University's work with the Air Force research and innovation enterprise. The PIA connects mission partners with Mason faculty, students, laboratories, industry, startups, and investors and provides operational support for collaboration, experimentation, technology transition, workforce development, and mission-focused engagement.

About the Position:

The Network & Cloud Engineering Intern supports the deployment, documentation, testing, and routine operation of network and AWS cloud services used by PIA facilities and projects. Working under the direction of the Network & Cloud Engineer or another designated technical lead, the intern gains applied experience with enterprise networking, cloud administration, cybersecurity, monitoring, documentation, and technical customer support. The intern will not independently administer privileged production systems, approve security changes, or access classified information.

This position is Part-Time and will require 10-20 hours per week during the academic year and up to 29 hours per week during academic breaks or summer, subject to university student-employment rules and available funding. Some evening event support or travel between local sites may be required with advance notice.

Responsibilities:

• Assist with installation, configuration, testing, inventory, and documentation of network equipment, wireless services, cabling, end-user connectivity, and approved lab or event technology;
• Support routine AWS administration and lab tasks, such as resource inventory, approved account setup, logging checks, backup verification, tagging, cost tracking, and deployment in sandbox or development environments;
• Monitor dashboards and service alerts; perform first-level troubleshooting; collect diagnostic information; document incidents; and escalate outages, security concerns, or configuration issues to authorized staff;
• Create and update network diagrams, asset inventories, configuration records, knowledge articles, checklists, runbooks, and standard operating procedures; and
• Provide courteous technical support to PIA staff, students, faculty, visitors, and events; participate in team meetings, training, security briefings, and project reviews.

Required Qualifications:

• Foundational understanding of computer networks, TCP/IP, operating systems, cloud computing, and cybersecurity principles;
• Interest in AWS, enterprise networking, infrastructure automation, cybersecurity, or systems administration;
• Ability to follow written procedures, protect sensitive information, document work accurately, and ask for assistance when a task exceeds assigned authority;
• Basic troubleshooting, analytical, organizational, and customer-service skills;
• Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively with technical staff, university personnel, government partners, and other interns;
• Reliability, attention to detail, initiative, and willingness to learn unfamiliar tools and technologies;
• Completion of foundational coursework or equivalent practical experience in networking, systems administration, cloud computing, or cybersecurity;
• Basic experience with Windows or Linux, command-line tools, productivity software, and technical documentation;
• Ability to work regularly on site and to maintain an agreed-upon work schedule during the academic term or summer period; and
• U.S. citizenship is required due to the nature of the supported federal and defense activities. Employment is contingent upon completion of applicable background screening. The intern must complete required cybersecurity, acceptable-use, export-control, and data-handling training and comply with all university and sponsor access restrictions. Access to production systems is role-based, supervised, and limited to assigned duties.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework, labs, projects, or certifications involving AWS, Azure, Cisco networking, Linux, Python, PowerShell, Terraform, or cybersecurity;
• CompTIA Network+, Security+, AWS Cloud Practitioner, Cisco CCST/CCNA, or progress toward a comparable credential;
• Experience with a help desk, student technology team, research lab, makerspace, internship, military service, or technical student organization; and
• Demonstrated interest in federal technology, defense innovation, research infrastructure, or public service.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Network & Cloud Engineering Intern at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter with Resume for review.

Posting Open Date: August 4, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: August 18, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes