Cyber Research Internship (Summer 2027) - Onsite

Prattwhitney; Cedar Rapids (IA); On-site; USD 37,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Life Insurance

401(k) match

Flexible schedules

Employee Scholar Program

Parental leave

Paid time off

Holidays

Job summary

RTX in Cedar Rapids, IA is seeking an intern/coop or entry-level candidate to join a team defending and pen-testing computer systems and networks. You will reverse engineer software, malware, and system architectures, learn disciplined approaches, and sharpen your presentation skills while collaborating with project leaders and peers.

Requirements include pursuing a bachelor’s in CS/CE or STEM and at least 60 credits by start; experience with C/C++ or Python; preferred: assembly, reverse

Qualifications

• Pursuing a bachelor’s in CS/CE or STEM and enrolled through the internship.
• Must have at least 60 credit hours by the start of the internship.
• Experience with C/C++ or Python.

Responsibilities

• Join a team that defends and pen-tests computer systems and networks.
• Reverse engineer software, malware, and system architectures.
• Hone oral and written presentation skills and collaborate with project leadership and fellow interns.

Skills

C/C++

Python

Security fundamentals

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s in Computer Science/Engineering or STEM

Enrolled through internship completion

Tools

IDA

Ghidra

BinaryNinja

Job description

Date Posted: 2026-09-28 Country: United States of America Location: US-IA-CEDAR RAPIDS-166 ~ 855 35Th St NE ~ BLDG 166

Position Role Type: Onsite U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements: U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract. Security Clearance Type: None/Not Required Security Clearance Status: Not Required

Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.

What You Will Do:

Join a team that is defending and pen-testing computer systems and networks. Reverse engineer software, malware, and system architectures. Learn strategies for both free form thinking and disciplined application. Hone your oral and written presentation skills. Work with extraordinarily skilled team members, from project leadership to fellow interns.

Qualifications You Must Have:

• Must be currently pursuing a bachelor’s in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or STEM major and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co-op session.
• Must have a minimum of 60 credit hours by the start of the internship.
• Experience with C/C++ or Python.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with assembly language (any of x86/64, ARM, PPC, MIPS, etc.).
• Experience with reverse engineering using tools such as IDA/Ghidra/BinaryNinja.
• Knowledge of security fundamentals (cryptography, confidentiality/integrity/availability, etc.).
• Understanding of network protocols (TCP/IP stacks, wire-level protocols, RF communications, BGP, etc.).

What We Offer

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

• 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
• holidays

The salary range for this role is 37,000 USD - 82,000 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.

Relocation Eligibility

Employees who are working in Onsite roles will work primarily onsite. This includes all production and maintenance employees, as they are essential to the development of our products. Candidates will learn more about role type and current site status throughout the recruiting process. For onsite and hybrid roles, commuting to and from the assigned site is the employee’s personal responsibility. 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.

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.

RTX is an aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems and services for commercial, military and government customers worldwide. It comprises three industry-leading businesses – Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney, and Raytheon. Its 195,000 employees enable the company to operate at the edge of known science as they imagine and deliver solutions that push the boundaries in quantum physics, electric propulsion, directed energy, hypersonics, avionics and cybersecurity. The company, formed in 2020 through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.