2025 Summer NRO Student Internship Program

WE ARE THE NRO

For over 60 years, the NRO has developed, acquired, launched, and operated the satellites that are the foundation for America’s advantage and strength in space. Using a diversified architecture of spacecraft, NRO collects and delivers the best space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance content on the planet. Learn more at nro.gov.

Basic Eligibility For A Position With The NRO

• Be a U.S. Citizen
• Be suitable for federal employment, as determined by a background investigation
• Be able to obtain and hold a TS/SCI security clearance, including polygraph
• Have favorable results on a pre-employment drug test
• Register for the Selective Service System if male, over 18 years of age and born after Dec 31, 1959

NRO Summer Intern Program

Are you ready to learn what it takes to be a member of our vibrant and diverse team of experts?  Apply to participate in NRO's Summer Internship Program today! We’re actively seeking motivated, highly qualified candidates in a wide variety of career categories including Contracts, Mission Support, Security and Engineering/Technical. To learn more about the Career Fields, please click here.

The NRO Summer Internship Program provides students pursuing advanced education with paid opportunities to work at the NRO and explore career paths related to their academic field of study or career interests. Interns will receive training and guidance to prepare them to support NRO projects and initiatives. 

Summer interns are full-time employees on a temporary appointment for the period of 10 weeks between June and August. With a successful evaluation at the end of the summer, there may be an opportunity to return during subsequent summers based on mission requirements, continued eligibility, and the student's availability.  

Benefits Available to Interns

• Onsite workout facility and up to 3 hours per week paid physical fitness time
• Flexible work schedules
• Recognition for superior performance 
• Dedicated NRO University 
• Upon successful evaluation and mission needs, there is a chance to 'convert' to a full-time employer after graduation

What You Will Be Doing

Intern Projects: Each intern will be given a project to complete that aligns with their experience and education or based on mission need. Specific duties will expose individuals to independent and team-oriented work opportunities. Each intern performs under direct supervision and will be provided feedback on a regular and timely basis.

Professional Development and Training: Throughout the summer, NRO interns will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of professional development and training experiences. Some of these events include speaker series with NRO seniors, Security Q&A sessions, and NRO mission overviews.

External Events and Experiences: As time and availability permit, interns will be able to take advantage of selected events outside of the NRO. These may include tours of mission partner agencies such as the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) and National Security Agency (NSA). 

Who May Apply

To be eligible for the program, the requirements include:

• Be enrolled full-time in an undergraduate or graduate degree program at an accredited college or university
• Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Undergraduates must have completed a minimum of 24 credit hours at the time of application
• Provide an unofficial transcript a