Summer 2026: Network Research Intern (Onsite)

Date Posted:
2026-01-13
Country:
United States of America
Location:
MA105: BBN Headquarters 10 Moulton Street , Cambridge, MA, 02138 USA
Position Role Type:
Unspecified
U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements:
This job requires a U.S. Person. A U.S. Person is a lawful permanent resident as defined in 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, or individuals granted refugee or asylee status in the U.S. are considered U.S. persons. For a complete definition of "U.S. Person" go here. ;br>Security Clearance:
None/Not Required

Our Vibe

At RTX-BBN, the Network and Cyber Technologies Group is engineering the future of secure, intelligent networks for critical national security missions. We're looking for student interns to help invent systems for domains ranging from satellites and drone swarms to defending critical infrastructure. This is high-impact R&D where you'll contribute to advancements in communication protocols, quantum networking, network management, and cybersecurity. Your ideas and innovation will make an immediate difference.

Your Mission

Join BBN's Network and Cyber Technologies group to design, analyze, and prototype innovative network architectures, tools, and techniques. You'll work directly alongside technology leaders and world-class researchers, solving complex, real-world problems for critical customers.

We provide unique opportunities to present your findings internally, contribute to active research proposals, and potentially publish your results-a key differentiator for our program.

The R&D Focus (Where You'll Innovate)

Our projects involve a combination of cutting-edge technologies and fundamental science. Internships are customized based on the candidate's skills and team needs, but often align with one of these areas:

• Network Intelligence: Exploring the integration of Large Language Models (LLMs) and AI/ML for dynamic network control, advanced threat detection, and performance optimization.
• Space and Airborne Networking: Designing reliable, fault-tolerant networks for coordinating swarms of drones, satellites, and other vehicles in contested environments.
• Next-Generation Protocols: Prototyping and testing novel algorithms to improve network infrastructure security, resilience, and mobility for future applications.
• Quantum and Advanced Techniques: Contributing to foundational research in areas like quantum networking, cyber-physical system security, and novel signal processing to push the boundaries of network science.

Qualifications You Must Have

• Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent and student must be pursuing a Bachelor's or advanced degree in an applicable discipline.
• Solid foundational programming experience in a language such as Java, Python, R, Rust, C, C++, or Go.
• Ability to work 40 hours per week for 10 weeks during Summer 2026, onsite at our Cambridge, Massachusetts location.

Qualifications We Prefer

• PhD candidate
• Teamwork and leadership activities (e.g., sports teams, engineering clubs, performing groups, or service organizations).
• Team-based software development (e.g., git and Jira)
• Systems-level programming languages like Rust, C, or C++, Scripting and automation (e.g., shell scripting, Python), and Containerization platforms (e.g., Docker, Podman, Kubernetes).
• Understanding of signal processing fundamentals, networking protocols, or security concepts.
• Statistical or analytic techniques for large datasets (including e.g., MATLAB, matplotlib)
• Development experience in a Linux environment.

Location

• Onsite in the dynamic research community of Cambridge, MA. Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite.

Learn More & Apply Now!

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

The salary range for this role is 42,000 USD - 88,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, flexible work schedules, employee assistance program, Employee Scholar Program, parental leave, paid time off, and holidays. Specific benefits are dependent upon the specific business unit as well as whether or not the position is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement.

Hired applicants may be eligible for annual short-term and/or long-term incentive compensation programs depending on the level of the position and whether or not it is covered by a collective-bargaining agreement. Payments under these annual programs are not guaranteed and are dependent upon a variety of factors including, but not limited to, individual performance, business unit performance, and/or the company's performance.

This role is a U.S.-based role. If the successful candidate resides in a U.S. territory, the appropriate pay structure and benefits will apply.

RTX anticipates the application window closing approximately 40 days from the date the notice was posted. However, factors such as candidate flow and business necessity may require RTX to shorten or extend the application window.

RTX is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected class. RTX provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with a Disability and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.

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