Network Engineering Intern (Student Wage)

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia; Charlottesville (VA); On-site; USD 22,000 - 31,000; Part time

Job summary

The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia Information Technology Services is seeking a Network Engineering Intern to gain hands-on experience supporting the university's enterprise network. You will work across three focus areas including Wireless Network Deployment, DevOps/Network Management, and core Infrastructure Engineering.

You will be mentored by senior engineers and participate in projects that span physical deployment to automation and design, while collaborating with teams

Qualifications

• Must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking program.
• Fundamental understanding of TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, and OSI model.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in wireless AP installation and configuration across campus.
• Support network monitoring, automation, and tooling.
• Contribute to documentation and runbooks.
• Assist with network design, switches, routers, and capacity planning.
• Learn under senior engineers and participate in projects.

Skills

Networking fundamentals

Problem solving

Communication skills

Time management

Teamwork

Willingness to learn

Education

Degree-seeking student

Tools

Cisco/Aruba platforms

Python scripting

Ansible

Networking monitoring tools

Job description

Information Technology Services (ITS) is seeking a motivated Network Engineering Intern to join our team and gain hands‑on, real‑world experience supporting the university's enterprise network infrastructure.

This internship is designed to give students broad exposure to the network engineering discipline through three core focus areas: Wireless Network Deployment — Deployment and configuration of new wireless access points (APs) across campus facilities. Network Management Systems & DevOps — Supporting network operations through monitoring tools, automation, and systems that keep the network healthy and observable. Network Infrastructure Engineering — Working with the core switching, routing, and physical/logical infrastructure that underpins campus connectivity.

Interns will be engaged in each of these areas over the course of the internship, and have exposure to the full lifecycle of enterprise network engineering — from physical deployment to systems automation to core infrastructure design. This position is open to students currently enrolled in the University of Virginia (undergraduate or graduate) and pursuing a degree in a related field, such as: Computer Science / Information Technology / Information Systems Data Science Computer/ Electrical Engineering Network Engineering or a closely related discipline.

Key Responsibilities

Focus Area 1: Wireless Network Deployment

• Assist in the physical installation and configuration of wireless access points across campus buildings
• Support site surveys to determine optimal AP placement for coverage and capacity
• Help troubleshoot wireless connectivity issues reported by end users
• Document AP inventory, placement, and configuration changes
• Assist with testing and validation of new AP deployments prior to production rollout undefined

Focus Area 2: Network Management Systems & DevOps

• Support the use and configuration of network monitoring and management platforms
• Assist with developing or maintaining automation scripts/tools to streamline network operations tasks
• Help build dashboards and alerts to improve network visibility and incident response
• Participate in troubleshooting using network management tools to identify performance issues or outages
• Contribute to documentation of operational runbooks and standard procedures

Focus Area 3: Network Infrastructure Engineering

• Assist with configuration and maintenance of switches, routers, and other core infrastructure devices
• Support network design and capacity planning activities for campus infrastructure projects
• Help maintain accurate network diagrams and infrastructure documentation
• Participate in infrastructure upgrade, maintenance, and change management activities
• Learn and apply network engineering best practices under the guidance of senior engineers

Qualifications

Required

• Currently enrolled in a degree‑seeking program
• Basic understanding of networking fundamentals (TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, VLANs, OSI model)
• Strong problem‑solving skills and attention to detail
• Willingness to learn and work across multiple technical disciplines
• Good communication skills and ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to manage time effectively across numerous assignments and academic responsibilities

Preferred (not required)

• Coursework or hands‑on experience with networking (e.g., Cisco, Aruba, or similar platforms)
• Exposure to scripting or automation (Python, Bash, Ansible, etc.)
• Familiarity with network monitoring tools
• Interest in pursuing industry certifications (e.g., Cisco CCNA)
• Prior IT helpdesk, lab, or hands‑on technical experience

What You Will Gain

• Hands‑on experience across three distinct network engineering disciplines
• Mentorship from experienced network engineers and IT professionals
• Exposure to enterprise‑scale network infrastructure and operations
• Practical skills that translate directly to careers in network engineering, systems administration, or IT operations
• Potential pathway to future employment opportunities within ITS

Compensation

• $19.00 Hourly
• Duration: Fall 2026 / Spring 2026 / Summer 2026
• Hours: 16-20 hours per week
• Position Type: Internship (Part-Time / Semester or Academic Year)
• Location: On‑Grounds
• Reports To: Network Engineering Manager, ITS

Equal Opportunity

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non‑discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

In 1819, Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia and inaugurated a bold experiment. Two centuries later, Jefferson’s vision thrives. Across Grounds - and throughout the world - UVA students, faculty, staff and alumni challenge convention, break barriers and pursue the greater good. The University of Virginia is made up of eleven schools and affiliated foundations in Charlottesville plus the College at Wise in Southwest Virginia. The University of Virginia Health System is a renowned academic medical center committed to providing outstanding patient care, educating tomorrow's health care leaders and discovering new and better ways to treat diseases. The University's Medical Center, School of Medicine and Physicians Group are recognized for their excellence in patient care, education and research. At UVA, we offer a rich collection benefits, which have long been recognized and valued for their comprehensiveness and competitiveness in the market. In addition to a robust array of traditional benefits such as health care, time off, and retirement, UVA offers a comprehensive list of benefits and services to help staff and faculty meet their personal and family needs.