1

Network Engineer Internship Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Process Engineering Intern: Contributed to the startup activities of a new chemical process ... network with your peers through a virtual Let's Connect Series. You can even join an Employee ...

Intern

Champaign, IL · On-site

$21 - $23/hr

Engineering Interns support Civil engineers in facilitating field data collection activities ... network while incorporating the latest pavement-related designs and technologies into ...

During your internship, you will use advanced Typescript, Python, and modern Web frameworks to ... such as hardware, networking, OS design -- to produce extremely high-performance software

Showing results 41-60

Network Engineer Internship information

See Illinois salary details

$30K

$105.7K

$153.1K

How much do network engineer internship jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for network engineer internship in Illinois is $105,662.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $86,200.00 and $129,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a network engineer intern do?

A Network Engineer Intern assists with the setup, maintenance, and troubleshooting of computer networks within an organization. They work under the supervision of experienced network engineers to learn about configuring routers, switches, and firewalls, as well as monitoring network performance and security. Interns may also help document network configurations and support end-users with connectivity issues. This role provides valuable hands-on experience with network infrastructure and technologies, helping interns build foundational skills for a career in network engineering.

What types of projects and responsibilities can I expect as a network engineer intern?

As a Network Engineer Intern, you’ll typically assist with configuring and maintaining network equipment, troubleshooting connectivity issues, and monitoring network performance. You may also be involved in documenting network layouts, supporting senior engineers with hardware or software upgrades, and participating in security audits. Interns often work closely with IT support and other engineering teams, gaining hands-on experience with real-world network infrastructures. This exposure not only helps you develop technical skills but also provides valuable insight into collaborative problem-solving in a professional environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a network engineer intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Network Engineer Intern, you typically need foundational knowledge of networking concepts, protocols (such as TCP/IP), and a relevant degree pursuit in computer science or a related field. Familiarity with network simulation tools (like Cisco Packet Tracer), basic command-line interface skills, and exposure to certifications such as CompTIA Network+ or Cisco CCNA are highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving ability, and effective teamwork set standout interns apart. These skills are crucial for diagnosing network issues, supporting infrastructure projects, and contributing to reliable, secure network operations.

What are network engineer internship opportunities?

If you are a network engineering, computer science, or information security student, you can get a network engineer internship with a variety of companies in industries ranging from retail sales to software development. As an intern, your duties and responsibilities vary. You may assist in responding to help desk issues, managing a lab, maintaining an inventory of hardware, deploying and configuring networking equipment, and documenting configuration changes. You can also help evaluate and support the organization’s data and infrastructure security efforts, providing analysis of logs and monitoring network status. In some jobs, you also support and troubleshoot email systems and voice over IP phone systems and install and configure software according to company policy.

What is the difference between Network Engineer Internship vs Network Administrator?

AspectNetwork Engineer InternshipNetwork Administrator
Required CredentialsTypically pursuing or recent graduate in IT or related fieldRelevant certifications like Cisco CCNA, CompTIA Network+ often preferred
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, learning-focused, supervised by senior staffFull-time role managing network operations, troubleshooting, and maintenance
Employer & Industry UsageInternship programs in tech companies, telecom, or IT departmentsBusinesses, organizations, and service providers managing networks

The main difference is that a Network Engineer Internship is an entry-level, learning position designed for students or recent graduates, while a Network Administrator is a full-time role responsible for ongoing network management and troubleshooting. Internships provide hands-on experience, whereas administrators handle daily network operations.

What are the most commonly searched types of Network Engineer jobs in Illinois?

The most popular types of Network Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Network Engineer Internship jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Network Engineer Internship job openings:

Infographic showing various Network Engineer Internship job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 29% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $105,662 per year, or $50.8 per hour.

Network Impact Assessment (NIA) Intern

Leidos

Shiloh, IL

$48K - $86K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 152 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

80th of 499 rated business services


Job description

Leidos, a leading defense, intelligence, and technology company, is seeking motivated and aspiring technology students for ourSummer 2027 Internship Program (Starts May 2027). As aNetwork Impact Assessment (NIA) Intern, you will join ourDigital Sectoron the Global Solutions Management - Operations II (GSM-O II) contract atScott AFB, IL. This is a unique opportunity to act as an operational safeguard for the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), learning how to analyze and predict the mission impact of events on the global Defense Information System Network (DISN).

Your Opportunity:

Are you interested in seeing how a global network supports critical military missions? As a member of our NIA team, you will be embedded directly with the analysts who serve as the crucial link between network engineering and mission operations. You will learn how to evaluate complex network topologies to determine exactly which military missions, circuits, and customers will be impacted by scheduled maintenance or unplanned outages. This is a chance to develop a highly sought-after analytical skillset while working on a live, global network.

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

  • Shadow and assist senior analysts in evaluating Authorized Service Interruptions (ASIs) to determine their impact on customer missions.
  • Learn to use network management and monitoring tools to assess and communicate mission impacts.
  • Gain exposure to the fast-paced environment of emergency network outages, seeing how the team provides high-accuracy assessments for leadership.
  • Assist with logging and tracking impact findings in enterprise management systems like ServiceNow.

What You'll Bring (Required):

  • Citizenship & Clearance:Must be a U.S. citizen andeligible to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.
  • Education:Currently pursuing a degree in a relevant field such as Cybersecurity, Computer Science, Information Technology, or Network Engineering.
  • Technical Foundation:A foundational understanding of basic networking concepts (e.g., TCP/IP, DNS) 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 basedon-site at Scott AFB, Illinois.All work must be performed on site - no teleworking opportunities.

What We Want (Desired):

  • Certifications:Obtaining aCompTIA Security+certification (or any certification that aligns with DoD 8570 IAT Level II) before the start date isstrongly encouraged.
  • Hands-On Experience:Experience from home labs, class projects, or prior internships that involve network analysis or troubleshooting.
  • Familiarity with:
    • The relationship between physical hardware and logical circuits.
    • Using ITSM or ticketing systems like ServiceNow.
    • ITIL processes or working in a fast-paced operational 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:August 26, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:Pay Range $48,100.00 - $86,950.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline onlyand 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.


What Leidos employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Leidos logo

About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

Social media