Intern - Tech Ops Heavy Maintenance Planning (Summer 2027)

United Airlines; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 33,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flight privileges

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Paid time off

401(k)

Job summary

United Airlines offers a paid Technical Operations internship with mentorship and real-world experience across multiple technical disciplines. The role provides competitive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and travel privileges.

Open September 1–15, 2026, internship length 10–12 weeks during Summer 2027, with eligibility for course credit depending on university guidelines. Internships include opportunities to learn on projects, leveraging data, reporting, and

Qualifications

• Must be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aviation Management, Computer Science, Mathematics or another related field
• Proficient in basic tools (e.g. Excel and PowerPoint) and ability to quickly learn to use unfamiliar tools
• Adept at juggling several projects and initiatives simultaneously through appropriate prioritization
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with ability to effectively interact at all levels (including executive) and team
• Willingness to learn and be curious across all aspects of United
• Must have a minimum of 12 semester hours in core degree course work
• Individual should be a rising junior (at minimum) when internship begins
• Must be available for 10-12 weeks during Summer 2027
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US for any employer without sponsorship now or at any point in the future

Responsibilities

• Interpret and perform technical maintenance analysis by reviewing long‑term forecasts for task cards, Deferred Item Programs (DIPs), and log pages across multiple aircraft fleet types to support accurate maintenance planning
• Build and support automated reporting and planning tools using programming and analytics platforms to enhance current workflows and improve data accuracy
• Expand on current aircraft maintenance forecasting and planning analysis by creating new datasets, monitoring schedules, workloads, and capacity, and flagging / reviewing risks or anomalies
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc materials for stakeholder reviews, leadership updates, and operational discussions regarding project status
• Partner with cross‑functional teams (Base Maintenance, Line Maintenance, Maintenance Programs, Aircraft Records, Project Planning, Supply Chain, and others) to ensure data alignment, resolve discrepancies, and support smooth execution

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication

Curiosity

Education

Engineering or related field (pursuing)

12 semester hours minimum in core coursework

Rising junior when internship begins

Legal work authorization in the US

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Programming basics (Python, SQL, HTML, VBA)

Job description

Achieving our goals starts with supporting yours. Grow your career, access top-tier health and wellness benefits, build lasting connections with your team and our customers, and travel the world using our extensive route network.

Come join us to create what’s next. Let’s define tomorrow, together.

Description

There’s never been a more exciting time to join United Airlines. We’re on a path towards becoming the best airline in the history of aviation. Our shared purpose – Connecting People, Uniting the World – is about more than getting people from one place to another. It also means that as a global company that operates in hundreds of locations around the world with millions of customers and tens of thousands of employees, we have a unique responsibility to uplift and provide opportunities in the places where we work, live and fly, and we can only do that with a truly diverse and inclusive workforce. And we’re growing – in the years ahead, we’ll hire tens of thousands of people across every area of the airline. Our internships are paid, and course credit hours may be considered depending on university’s guidelines. Internships include a competitive benefits package sought at keeping you happy, healthy and well-traveled. From mentorship opportunities to benefits like medical insurance and privileges like space available travel, United is truly a one-of-a-kind internship experience. Are you ready to travel the world?

At United, we have some of the best aircraft in the world. Our Technical Operations team is full of aircraft maintenance technicians, engineers, planners, ground equipment and facilities professionals, and supply chain teams that help make sure they’re well taken care of and ready to get our customers to their desired destinations. If you’re ready to work on our planes, join our Tech Ops experts and help keep our fleet in tip‑top shape.

Key Responsibilities

As a Technical Operations intern, you’ll work side‑by‑side with our TO professionals, taking on problems and learning about our industry. Regardless of your assignment, you will work on projects that will provide you with applicable, real‑world experience in one of our many technical disciplines.

Responsibilities could include the following (dependent on placement):

• Interpret and perform technical maintenance analysis by reviewing long‑term forecasts for task cards, Deferred Item Programs (DIPs), and log pages across multiple aircraft fleet types to support accurate maintenance planning
• Build and support automated reporting and planning tools using programming and analytics platforms to enhance current workflows and improve data accuracy
• Expand on current aircraft maintenance forecasting and planning analysis by creating new datasets, monitoring schedules, workloads, and capacity, and flagging / reviewing risks or anomalies
• Prepare recurring and ad hoc materials for stakeholder reviews, leadership updates, and operational discussions regarding project status
• Interpret and perform technical maintenance analysis by reviewing long‑term forecasts for task cards, Deferred Item Programs (DIPs), and log pages across multiple aircraft fleet types to support accurate maintenance planning
• Partner with cross‑functional teams (Base Maintenance, Line Maintenance, Maintenance Programs, Aircraft Records, Project Planning, Supply Chain, and others) to ensure data alignment, resolve discrepancies, and support smooth execution

Accepting applications from September 1, 2026, through September 15, 2026

Qualifications

What’s needed to succeed (Minimum Qualifications):

• Must be pursuing a degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Aviation Management, Computer Science, Mathematics or another related field
• Proficient in basic tools (e.g. Excel and PowerPoint) and ability to quickly learn to use unfamiliar tools
• Adept at juggling several projects and initiatives simultaneously through appropriate prioritization
• Strong interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills, with ability to effectively interact at all levels (including executive) and team
• Willingness to learn and be curious across all aspects of United
• Must have a minimum of 12 semester hours in core degree course work
• Individual should be a rising junior (at minimum) when internship begins
• Must be available for 10-12 weeks during Summer 2027
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US for any employer without sponsorship now or at any point in the future

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong aviation business acumen
• Skilled in computer programming languages and database systems (ex. Python, pyspark, Java Script, SQL, HTML, R, and/or VBA)
• Knowledge of aircraft systems, components, maintenance planning, and maintenance programs
• Ability to read and interpret Aircraft Maintenance Manual (AMM), Illustrated Parts Catalog (IPC), Service Bulletins (SBs), Airworthy Directives (ADs), and understanding of technical documentation and maintenance procedures
• Previous internship experience in aircraft maintenance, strategy, data analytics, forecasting, continuous improvement, or related role
• Pursuing a degree Computer Science, Data Analytics, Statistics, or Aerospace Engineering
• Demonstrated understanding of the capabilities and limitations of generative AI tools and the ability to leverage AI effectively to support research, analysis, content creation, and problem-solving. Applies critical thinking to validate AI-generated outputs while adhering to organizational policies related to responsible AI use, data privacy, and security.

The starting rate for this role is $20.00.

The base salary range/hourly rate listed is dependent on job-related, non-discriminatory factors such as experience, education and skills. This position may also be eligible for bonus and/or long-term incentive compensation awards.

You may be eligible for the following competitive benefits: medical, dental, vision, life, accident & disability, parental leave, employee assistance program, commuter, paid holidays, paid time off, 401(k) and flight privileges.

United Airlines is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We recruit, employ, train, compensate, and promote without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. To request an accommodation, contact [e-mail]