Helpdesk IT Support Intern

Location: Arlington, VA; Washington, DC

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.