Financial Strategy, Planning & Analysis Intern

Jet Propulsion Laboratory; United States; On-site; USD 29,000 - 37,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Dental & Vision coverage

Wellbeing programs

Retirement plans

Paid time off

Rideshare program

Flexible schedule

Childcare assistance

Job summary

Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, CA invites an Academic Part-Time Intern to join the Financial Strategy, Planning & Analysis Office. You will help with financial modeling, budgeting, reporting, and process improvements under guidance from experienced professionals.

This onsite role offers exposure to data analytics, documentation, and cross-functional projects across JPL. Working 20–30 hours weekly while in school, you’ll build skills in finance, technology, and collaboration with a

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled at least half-time in a 4-year college/university in a relevant field.
• Must be able to work 20–30 hours per week while in school.
• Strong analytical, written and verbal communication skills required.

Responsibilities

• Support financial planning, forecasting, budgeting, and performance analysis.
• Collect, organize, and interpret financial and operational data for reports and summaries.
• Assist in documenting finance processes and maintaining records.
• Contribute to process improvements and efficiency initiatives.
• Explore AI and automation opportunities to improve reporting and docs.
• Participate in strategic and operational projects across JPL teams.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to meet business requirements.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

MS Office proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree pursuit in Business, Finance, Accounting, CS, Data Analytics, or Information Systems

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Details New ideas are all around us, but only a few will change the world. That’s our focus at JPL. We ask the biggest questions, then search the universe for answers—literally. We build upon ideas that have guided generations, then share our discoveries to inspire generations to come. Your mission—your opportunity—is to seek out the answers that bring us one step closer. If you’re driven to discover, create, and inspire something that lasts a lifetime and beyond, you’re ready for JPL. Located in Pasadena, California, JPL has a campus-like environment situated on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and offers a work environment unlike any other: we inspire passion, foster innovation, build collaboration, and reward excellence. As an Academic Part-Time Intern, you will be a member of the Financial Strategy, Planning & Analysis Office (FSP&A) at JPL and will report to the Manager of the FSP&A Team. The FSP&A Office supports JPL's financial strategy, institutional planning, and decision-making through financial analysis, budget development, forecasting, and performance monitoring. The team works collaboratively across the organization to provide financial insights, support operational activities, and identify opportunities to improve business processes. This internship offers an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in financial planning and analysis, business operations, data management, and process improvement. The intern will work alongside experienced professionals, contribute to meaningful projects, and explore innovative approaches to enhancing organizational effectiveness through technology and automation. Through this role, the intern will develop analytical, technical, and business skills while supporting a variety of financial and operational initiatives. Opportunities may include developing financial reports, organizing documentation, preparing management presentations, analyzing financial data, and contributing to technology-enabled process improvements.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Planning & Analysis: Support financial modeling, forecasting, budgeting, and performance analysis to inform institutional planning and business decisions.
• Data Analysis & Reporting: Assist in collecting, organizing, analyzing, and interpreting financial and operational data. Support the preparation of reports, presentations, and management summaries.
• Financial Operations & Documentation: Support financial administration activities, including document organization, data validation, status tracking, and maintaining accurate financial records.
• Process Improvement & Innovation: Contribute to initiatives focused on streamlining workflows, improving business processes, strengthening data management, and enhancing operational efficiency.
• AI & Automation Initiatives: Explore opportunities to leverage artificial intelligence, automation, and emerging technologies to improve reporting, document management, tracking, and other routine business activities. Assist in evaluating tools, testing concepts, and developing recommendations or prototypes.
• Strategic & Operational Support: Participate in projects that support financial strategy, business planning, operational effectiveness, and organizational decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work with financial analysts and multidisciplinary teams across JPL to support business requirements, special projects, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled at least half-time at an accredited college or university pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Accounting, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or a related field.
• Must be able to work a minimum of 20 hours per week, with a maximum of 30 hours per week while in school.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Strong analytical, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work with and interpret data.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative team environment.
• Must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.

Preferred Skills

• Coursework or experience in finance, accounting, business analytics, data management, information systems, or related disciplines.
• Exposure to business processes, contract administration, document management, or operational reporting.
• Previous internship experience, academic projects, or participation in student organizations involving analytical, technical, or business-related activities.
• Basic understanding of Cost Accounting Standards (CAS), Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR), or government contracting principles.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, resourcefulness, initiative, and a willingness to learn and adapt to new challenges.

This position is Fully Onsite in Pasadena, CA

The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. The typical hourly rate for this job in Pasadena, California depending on education level is $21.00 as a freshman, $22.50 as a sophomore, $24.50 as a junior, and $26.50 as a Senior. JPL has a catalog of benefits and perks that span from the traditional to the unique. This includes a variety of health, dental, vision, wellbeing, and retirement plans, paid time off, learning, rideshare, childcare, flexible schedule, parental leave and many more. Our focus is on work-life balance, and living healthy, fulfilling lives as we Dare Mighty Things Together. For benefits eligible positions, benefits are effective the first day of the month coincident with or immediately following the employee’s start date. The hiring range displayed below is specifically for those who will work in or reside in the location listed. In extending an offer, Jet Propulsion Laboratory considers factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s job related skills, experience, knowledge, and relevant education/training. The typical full time equivalent annual hiring range for this job in Pasadena, California. $0 - $0 see information above

JPL is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy or perceived pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, protected military or veteran status or any other characteristic or condition protected by Federal, state or local law. In addition, JPL is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. EEO is the Law. EEO is the Law Supplement Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision The Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federal facility. Due to rules imposed by NASA, JPL will not accept applications from citizens of designated countries or those born in a designated country unless they are U.S. Citizens, Legal Permanent Residents of the U.S or have other protected status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3). The Designated Countries List is available here. Formed in 1936, the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center managed for NASA by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech.) JPL joined NASA as an FFRDC when the agency was founded in 1958. JPL helped open the Space Age by developing America’s first Earth-orbiting science satellite, creating the first successful interplanetary spacecraft, and sending robotic missions to the solar system. Today JPL continues its world-leading innovation, implementing programs in planetary exploration, Earth science, space-based astronomy and technology development while applying its capabilities to technical and scientific problems of national significance. Above all, we are explorers. At JPL we promote collaboration, innovation, integrity, and excellence in distinct academic areas. We turn ideas for science investigation into the reality of groundbreaking space missions, partnering with our strategic business teams to guide JPL into the future.