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Operations Research Internship Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Penn State University

R&D Engineer Intern

Reston, VA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.75/hr

Cyberspace Operations Research Department Internship We are searching for a motivated undergraduate student to join the Cyberspace Operations Research Department at the Applied Research Laboratory ...

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Operations Research Internship information

What is an operations research internship?

An Operations Research Internship is a temporary position, often offered to students or recent graduates, where individuals gain hands-on experience applying mathematical, statistical, and analytical methods to help solve real-world business problems. Interns typically work with data analysis, optimization models, simulations, and process improvement projects, supporting decision-making in fields like logistics, supply chain, finance, and manufacturing. The internship provides valuable exposure to industry-standard tools and techniques, and helps interns develop practical skills for a career in operations research or analytics.

What types of projects do operations research interns typically work on, and how much autonomy can I expect?

As an Operations Research intern, you can expect to work on data-driven projects such as optimizing business processes, developing simulation models, or analyzing supply chain performance. The work often involves collaborating with cross-functional teams like data analysts, engineers, and business managers to identify inefficiencies and propose actionable solutions. While you'll receive guidance from senior staff, interns are often given ownership of specific tasks or sub-projects and are encouraged to contribute their ideas. This balance of mentorship and autonomy helps interns build practical skills and gain exposure to real-world organizational challenges.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an operations research intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Operations Research Intern, you need a strong background in mathematics, statistics, and analytical problem-solving, often supported by coursework in operations research or industrial engineering. Familiarity with programming languages like Python or R, optimization tools such as CPLEX or Gurobi, and data analysis software like Excel or MATLAB is typically required. Effective communication, critical thinking, and teamwork are essential soft skills for conveying complex findings and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills ensure interns can analyze real-world problems, present actionable insights, and support data-driven decision-making within organizations.
What are the most commonly searched types of Operations Research jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Operations Research jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Operations Research Internship jobs in Virginia? For Operations Research Internship jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Operations Research Internship jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Operations Research Internship jobs in Virginia are:
Operations Research Internship jobs near you
Infographic showing various Operations Research Internship job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution.

R&D Engineer Intern

Penn State University

Reston, VA • On-site

$17.50 - $22.75/hr

Other

Posted 9 days ago

Penn State University rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 103 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

229th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Cyberspace Operations Research Department Internship

We are searching for a motivated undergraduate student to join the Cyberspace Operations Research Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This internship will concentrate on researching and developing adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to conduct system vulnerability assessments and enable security hardening support to various sponsors.

Typical focus areas include:

  • Research state-of-the-art techniques for vulnerability detection, system exploitation, and technical mitigations
  • Develop scripts and applications to automate processes
  • Design experiments and set up test environments
  • Conduct experiments and execute demonstrations
  • Testing of representative systems under simulated real-world conditions
  • Data collection, analysis, and reporting of experimental results
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve engineering challenges
  • Develop and optimize prototypes for critical applications
  • Research and document emerging technologies
  • Participate in technical presentations and discussions

Interest skills and experience areas include:

  • Familiarity with basic system vulnerability and exploitation concepts
  • Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and the scientific method
  • Basic proficiency in Linux-based environments
  • Proficiency in programming and scripting languages (C, Python, bash, PowerShell)
  • Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
  • Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
  • Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
  • Willingness to learn and adapt to new tools, techniques, and technologies

You will work up to 20 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters and have the opportunity to work up to 40 hours/week over the summer. This is a paid internship opportunity, and location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA, or Reston, VA, but options exist for hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. Relocation and housing are not provided.

ARL's purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.

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