Helpdesk IT Support Intern

Leidos; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 87,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Direct Mentorship

Resume‑Building Experience

Security Clearance Sponsorship

Skill Development

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Helpdesk IT Support Intern to join our IT Services team in the National Capital Region. You will shadow senior technicians, assist with desktop and hardware setups, and support users at the walk‑up desk while gaining real‑world DoD‑focused IT experience.

You’ll learn to use Remedy/ServiceNow, handle basic Active Directory tasks, and collaborate on device provisioning and inventory management. This paid internship offers mentorship and a pathway to security clearance.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, or a related field (Rising Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors considered).
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Secret security clearance (or possess an active clearance). Leidos will guide you through this process.
• Familiarity with Windows 10/11 operating systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Basic understanding of computer hardware components (RAM, hard drives, monitors, cables, ports).
• Strong communication and customer service orientation; comfortable speaking with customers and explaining basic technical steps in everyday terms.
• High level of dependability, integrity, and eagerness to learn new technologies.

Responsibilities

• Hands‑On Desktop & Hardware Support: Shadow and assist technicians with setting up, unboxing, testing, and deploying laptops, desktops, monitors, docking stations, and peripherals.
• Customer Service & Walk‑Up Desk Operations: Act as a welcoming first point of contact for users arriving at the walk‑up support center and log/track requests using enterprise ticketing software (Remedy or ServiceNow).
• Software & Account Basics: Assist users with standard desktop applications (Microsoft 365) and basic Active Directory tasks (password resets, account unlocks).
• Mobile Device Setup & Logistics: Support provisioning, unboxing, and inventory tracking of enterprise mobile devices and device enrollment steps.
• Inventory & Asset Management: Log incoming hardware, update asset tracking spreadsheets, and prep retired equipment for disposal or reissue.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Technical troubleshooting

Education

Pursuing IT-related degree

Tools

Remedy/ServiceNow

Active Directory

Windows 10/11

Job description

Are you a college student looking to jumpstart your career in Information Technology and cybersecurity while supporting critical defense missions? Our IT Services team supports the Department of the Air Force (DAF), which include the United States Air Force and United States Space Force personnel along with geographically separated units across the National Capital Region (NCR). As a Helpdesk IT Support Intern, you will work side‑by‑side with experienced enterprise technicians at our Walk‑Up Help Desk. You will gain direct, hands‑on experience troubleshooting computer systems, setting up hardware, configuring mobile devices, and delivering first‑class customer support to personnel in a professional government environment. This internship is designed to bridge the gap between classroom theory and enterprise IT operations, giving you real‑world technical skills in enterprise networking, system administration, and Defense IT practices.

Primary Responsibilities

• Hands‑On Desktop & Hardware Support: Shadow and assist technicians with setting up, unboxing, testing, and deploying laptops, desktops, monitors, docking stations, and peripherals. Help perform basic diagnostic checks and physical hardware swaps for walk‑up customers.
• Customer Service & Walk‑Up Desk Operations: Act as a welcoming first point of contact for users arriving at the walk‑up support center. Learn to log, document, categorize, and track customer support requests using enterprise ticketing software (such as Remedy or ServiceNow).
• Software & Account Basics: Assist users with standard desktop applications, including Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), web browsers, and enterprise tools. Observe and assist senior technicians with basic Active Directory tasks (such as password resets and account unlock procedures). Learn how smart card authentication (Common Access Card / CAC) and digital certificates work in a secure government network.
• Mobile Device Setup & Logistics: Support the team with basic provisioning, unboxing, and inventory tracking of enterprise mobile devices (iOS/Android). Assist in walking users through basic device enrollment and troubleshooting steps.
• Inventory & Asset Management: Assist in logging incoming hardware, updating asset tracking spreadsheets/databases, and prepping retired equipment for proper disposal or reissue.

Basic Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in an accredited college or university pursuing an Associate or Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity, Information Systems, Computer Engineering, or a related field (Rising Sophomores, Juniors, or Seniors considered).
• U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) Secret security clearance (or possess an active clearance). Leidos will guide you through this process.
• Familiarity with Windows 10/11 operating systems and Microsoft Office applications.
• Basic understanding of computer hardware c, omponents (RAM, hard drives, monitors, cables, ports).
• Strong communication and customer service orientation; comfortable speaking with customers and explaining basic technical steps in everyday terms.
• High level of dependability, integrity, and eagerness to learn new technologies.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience in customer‑facing roles (e.g., campus tech support, retail, campus help desk, or tutoring).
• Basic coursework completed in networking (TCP/IP, cabling, LAN concepts) or operating systems.
• Experience with or curiosity about mobile device configuration (Apple iOS / Android).

Work location and schedule

National Capital Region (Pentagon / Joint Base Andrews / Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling) FT or PT, core business hours 8am-4pm, 10-12 week internship, target start early June 2027 Limited public transportation options

What This Internship Offers You

• Direct Mentorship: Daily guidance from senior systems administrators and network engineers.
• Resume‑Building Experience: Real‑world enterprise exposure supporting high‑profile DoD environments.
• Security Clearance Sponsorship: Opportunity to obtain and utilize a federal security clearance, opening doors for long‑term career growth in government contracting and defense tech.
• Skill Development: Practical familiarity with DoD 8140 compliance, enterprise ticketing, and modern device management.

Leidos is a Fortune 500® information technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, homeland security, civil, and health markets. The company's 32,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com and https://careers.leidos.com/pages/afncr-its. #AFNCR-LEIDOS

If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: November 9, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range: Pay Range $48,100.00 - $86,950.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Leidos Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That’s why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available here.

Securing Your Data Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.