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- If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click “Apply” and complete the application process for external applicants.
Approval of remote and hybrid work is not guaranteed regardless of work location. For additional information on remote work at Penn State, see Notice to Out of State Applicants.
JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS
We are searching for a motivated undergraduate student to join the Cyberspace Operations Research Department at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL) at Penn State. This internship will concentrate on researching and developing adversarial tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to conduct system vulnerability assessments and enable security hardening support to various sponsors.
Typical focus areas include:
Research state-of-the-art techniques for vulnerability detection, system exploitation, and technical mitigations
Develop scripts and applications to automate processes
Design experiments and set up test environments
Conduct experiments and execute demonstrations
Testing of representative systems under simulated real-world conditions
Data collection, analysis, and reporting of experimental results (Collect data, analyze and report experimental results)
Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to solve engineering challenges
Develop and optimize prototypes for critical applications
Research and document emerging technologies
Participate in technical presentations and discussions
Interest skills and experience areas include:
Familiarity with basic system vulnerability and exploitation concepts
Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and the scientific method
Basic proficiency in Linux-based environments
Proficiency in programming and scripting languages (C, Python, bash, PowerShell)
Proficiency in using Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
Success in environments where various forms of communication and organizational skills were crucial to be effective
Experience collaborating in multi-disciplinary, team-oriented cultures
Willingness to learn and adapt to new tools, techniques, and technologies
You will work up to 20 hours/week during the fall and spring semesters and have the opportunity to work up to 40 hours/week over the summer. This is a paid internship opportunity, and location will be fully on-site located in State College, PA, or Reston, VA, but options exist for hybrid of on-site/work from home based on project-dependent ability. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process. Relocation and housing are not provided.
ARL’s purpose is to research and develop innovative solutions to challenging scientific, engineering, and technology problems in support of the Navy, the Intel Community (IC), and other federal government customers.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION on ARL, visit our website at www.arl.psu.edu.
BACKGROUND CHECKS/CLEARANCES
Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.
Notice regarding employment at the Applied Research Laboratory (ARL): Employees must be eligible to obtain a government security clearance, participate in the ARL drug testing program, and comply with electronic and physical monitoring requirements applicable to federal contractors. ARL operates in a secure information environment involving Unclassified, Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), and Classified information. Personal electronic devices brought onsite must be registered and may be restricted from certain areas. You must be a U.S. citizen to apply.
CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS
Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here.
EEO IS THE LAW
Penn State is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.
Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster
PA State Labor Law Poster
Penn State Policies
Copyright Information
Hotlines
Skills Required
- Must be an undergraduate student
- Familiarity with system vulnerability and exploitation concepts
- Basic knowledge of engineering concepts and the scientific method
- Basic proficiency in Linux-based environments
- Proficiency in programming and scripting languages: C, Python, Bash, PowerShell
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Strong communication and organizational skills
- Experience collaborating in multidisciplinary, team-oriented environments
- Willingness to learn and adapt to new tools and technologies
- U.S. citizenship (must be a U.S. citizen to apply)
- Eligible to obtain a government security clearance and participate in drug testing and monitoring programs
- Ability to work on-site in State College, PA or Reston, VA (hybrid options project-dependent)
Penn State University Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Penn State University and has not been reviewed or approved by Penn State University.
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Retirement Support — Employer contributions to SERS and the TIAA Alternate Plan are described as significant, with supplemental retirement options available. Feedback suggests these choices and contributions create strong long‑term value.
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Leave & Time Off Breadth — Full‑time employees accrue over 24 sick and vacation days annually, with additional university holidays and a winter break. Feedback suggests this depth of leave supports work–life balance.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — A 75% tuition discount extends to employees, spouses, and dependent children up to age 26 across resident instruction, World Campus, and Penn College courses. Feedback suggests this broad eligibility meaningfully enhances total rewards, especially for families.
Penn State University Insights
What We Do
There’s a reason Penn State consistently ranks among the top one percent of the world’s universities. Across 24 campuses, our nearly 88,000 students and 17,000 faculty and staff know the real measure of success goes beyond the classroom—it’s the positive impact made on communities across the world. From access to state-of-the-art resources to interdisciplinary pursuits in collaborative atmospheres, a Penn State degree is more than an education. The experiences and knowledge gained here will form the foundation for the lives our students build. Their contributions to the world begin with a Penn State degree. We Are Penn State.
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