Summer 2026: Network Research Intern (Onsite)

RTX

9d • Onsite

About The Position

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.

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.

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Benefits

• 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.
• 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.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Intern
• Education Level: High school or GED
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees