Learn as much as you can from the more experienced engineers.
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Project Engineering & Construction Intern
June - August 2023 • Redondo Beach, CA
What I liked
It was helpful to learn skills in project management and how to work with independent contractors on projects around the campus. There was also time for networking with other coworkers and in different departments. Northrop Grumman had a great integration into the company and setting up events specific for interns to network and just enjoy our time during our internships.
What I wish was different
I wish they had a little more instructions on how to start such as first day/weeks details. It seemed like we were just thrown in to figure out how to set up computers and how to get ourselves settled in our desks.
Advice
Overall great experience I would definitely do it again if given the offer to return. It was helpful to learn project management skills and communicate to my fellow interns and coworkers.
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Technical Intern
May - August 2019 • McLean, VA
What I liked
Networking and the opportunity to work for the company after I graduate. It was a resume builder and great real world experience.
What I wish was different
The work wasn’t so boring
Advice
Do your best work and try and learn from everything.
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Cyber Technical Intern
May - August 2019 • McLean, VA
What I liked
The tasks were challenging and I loved my team.
What I wish was different
I would have liked more intern events.
Advice
Ask questions, and for more/different tasks if you want them!
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Business Management Intern
May - August 2018 • Linthicum, MD
What I liked
At NGC, it was like the management hierarchy didn't exist in social situations. We had lunch as an intern team multiple times with our sector CFO and contributions were treated equally, regardless of where you sat on the ladder. I had the opportunity to pursue productivity projects that may not have been formally allowed at other companies because of support from my managers. The 9/80 work schedule wasn't a big deal as an intern but I imagine for full-time employees it means quite a bit.
What I wish was different
There didn't ever seem to be enough work to do. Much of my work was self-initiated. When I did receive work from my managers and coworkers, it didn't take long. I found myself wasting a lot of time sitting around even after asking for work to do because there simply wasn't enough to go around and I was limited in my scope as an intern.
Advice
It's a fantastic company, just make sure you make the most out of your internship. It's hard to get in the door at NGC because it's a major defense contractor, but you'll find the work to be very manageable. NGC and its employees are contributing to a great cause: protecting our nation. Never forget that. Make yourself stand out by showing up on time, being flexible, and innovating in your field. You will be rewarded for it. NGC has so many different opportunities in so many different locations, you could stay with the company your entire career and become an incredibly well-rounded individual, truly.
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Software Engineer Intern
May - August 2019 • Baltimore, MD
What I liked
Worked very closely with my manager who acted as a great mentor, performed meaningful work on a large project.
What I wish was different
Had more time to connect with interns
Advice
Make sure you reach out and connect with senior engineers and other interns
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Engineering Intern
January - August 2018 • Chandler, AZ
What I liked
Great learning environment. Experts across disciplines with a willingness to help.
What I wish was different
Startup guide for interns. The learning curve can be steep. It would be nice to have a resource to accelerate your skills on particular tools.
Advice
If you haven’t had an opportunity to take an internship in your field, do it. Big or small. Real world experience helps gain perspective and refine your search.
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Systems engineer
June - September 2017 • San Diego, CA
What I liked
The location was awesome
What I wish was different
Less coding
Advice
Be proactive and ask questions
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College intern technical
May 2016 • Ogden, UT
What I liked
Engineering experience
What I wish was different
Prefer not to say
Advice
Prefer not to say
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Software Engineer Intern
May - August 2017 • Aurora, CO
What I liked
The pay is not horrible, and flexible hours mean that you can work basically whenever as long as you get prior approval. Super easy to do things like work odd hourly days or take longer breaks in the middle of days. You can really flex your time. If you're into defense, it's great experience in the industry.
What I wish was different
No benefits. Low pay compared to other software engineer interns. If you go to GitHub or Google you're getting basically double the pay. You can't flex your time between weeks, because of labor laws. This means that the flex time benefit isn't as useful as it is for permanent employees. Work is hit or miss. Computers are hit or miss. Working on the Northrop Grumman networked computers is terrible. You're relegated to Internet Explorer by default, and have to request internet access.
Advice
Don't try to get your full hourly pay each week. It seems silly, but if you're behind on hours, overworking yourself on one day will kill you. Flex your time up to the point where it's uncomfortable, and then stop. Take a break. It's summer, so take some time to yourself.
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Software Engineering Intern
July 2018 • Chandler, AZ
What I liked
Great company that is really supportive of my goals. Highly recommended
What I wish was different
Advice
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Systems Engineering Intern
June - August 2017 • San Bernardino, CA
What I liked
The internship program is very organized during your onboarding and after throughout your internship. We had lots of exciting work and got in contact with other interns nationally to see what they're working on, and in the future the program supervisors say they'll let us interns collaborate together if we feel like another intern's project is interesting. There were three branches around the LA-ish area, so we got to go to baseball games, karaoke, dinner, and beach days together as well.
What I wish was different
This comes with working in defense in general, but a lot of what you learn in school is not enough preparation for your intern work, or at least it wasn't in my experience. If you don't specify your skill level, they'll want to challenge you as much as possible. If you want a challenge, then great! If you want a more relaxing summer, though, talk to your supervisor and make sure you tell them your preference on projects.
Advice
Get to know your coworkers. Northrop has a very academic atmosphere that I haven't gotten in past internships. Most everyone you meet will have a wealth of knowledge and a competitive nature - make friends with them because they're bound to be really invigorating people that may even help you out in future job searches.
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Systems Engineering Intern
June - August 2017 • Huntsville, AL
What I liked
Getting to travel to Tennessee for robotics work
What I wish was different
I wish I had my clearance when I first started because I couldn't work on anything until I got that
Advice
Ask for more projects if you're bored
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Technical Intern
June - July 2017 • Chester, VA
What I liked
Good work environment, great intern group, great learning experience, great employees
What I wish was different
I wish projects opportunities had been more explicit, but through networking, I managed to find some great projects to work on
Advice
Be social, network with other interns and employees, and take initiative. Don't shy away from projects or opportunities, and work hard on the work you pick up.
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Deployable Products and Mechanisms Intern
June - September 2017 • Redondo Beach, CA
What I liked
I really liked the team that I worked with, and the project I was on was exciting. The product development engineers were very passionate and hardworking. I feel I know what I want to work on when I graduate.
What I wish was different
I wish the work had been slightly more challenging and faster paced. That's the tough thing about short internships. I was there for all the slow paperwork preparation before testing, and had to leave for school right as testing was about to begin.
Advice
Make connections, work hard, always ask for more work when you can. It will reflect well upon you and you will likely be asked to return for an internship or full time job.
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Mechanical Design Intern
June - September 2017 • Northridge, CA
What I liked
As an intern at Orbital ATK, I really felt like I was an important part of the team. If I wasn't there, other full time engineers would be doing the work that I did over the summer. I got to do a lot of 3D modeling using PTC Creo as well as create prototypes of models using the 3D printers in the office. Everyone on the mechanical design team was very welcoming and happy to help me.
What I wish was different
I would not change anything about my internship experience.
Advice
Don't be afraid to ask questions! Everyone will be excited to teach you about what they're working on or help you with anything you might need. You will get the most out of your internship if you ask a lot of questions and talk to full time employees.
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Technical College Intern
May - August 2017 • Colorado Springs, CO
What I liked
I enjoyed being able to strengthen my networking skills as well as learn something new related to my major that I could potentially apply to a future job.
What I wish was different
Going in they thought I was a different major so I was placed in a wrong position. I learned a lot of new skills in this other area. However it would have been nice to have an internship related to what I study.
Advice
Even if it feels like all you do is the work no one else wants to do, give it 110% effort. Your employer will see your effort and give you more responsibility as time goes on.
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Communication Systems Engineering Intern
June - August 2017 • El Segundo, CA
What I liked
Relaxed learning environment, cool projects.
What I wish was different
Wish there was less routine and more interaction, sometimes being in a cubicle is not the most fun thing.
Advice
Find what type of worker you are, whether you enjoy a lab environment or an office environment, whether you like interacting with others or not. All those factors should determine which job you want to attain (or whether you want to go to graduate school and perhaps work afterwards or pursue academia).
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Software Engineering Intern
June - September 2017 • Herndon, VA
What I liked
Learned a lot about software development lifecycle. Management was very flexible, other interns were friendly. Good company culture! Learned a lot of practical computer science skills.
What I wish was different
Onboarding process was a bit tedious.
Advice
Ask for things to do!
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Manufacturing Engineering Intern
January 2017 • Ogden, UT
What I liked
I was doing real engineering work. I was not sitting behind a desk trying to rewrite process orders for the shop floor. I feel like I have so much more experience under my belt becuase of this!
What I wish was different
I wish there were more manufacturing engineers. We are often swamped with work so that can be hard to deal with while trying to graduate.
Advice
Do a co-op internship! A co op internship can give you so much more experience and employers really care about your schooling so it's much easier to get time off and make a decent wage while going to school.
