Business Administrator - Academic Part Time Intern

NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory

13d•$21 - $27•Onsite

About The Position

The Mechanical Engineering, Integration, and Test Business Administration Group at JPL is seeking an Academic Part Time Intern to support administrative functions within the Section. The intern will work in the Section Business Administration Office and report directly to the Manager. The role provides hands-on exposure to JPL business processes, including recruiting and hiring support, affiliate management, human resources, workforce planning and forecasting, asset and facilities management, financial planning and reporting, and other administrative and operational activities. The intern will help translate business needs into practical, user-focused solutions by using collaborative and data platforms to automate workflows and create internal tools that improve operational efficiency and support data-driven decisions. Tools may include Microsoft Teams, Power Automate, Power Apps, and SharePoint-based environments. The internship applies academic foundations in business, data analytics, information systems, and technology to real-world projects, while enabling the intern to develop work products such as dashboards, tools, sites, and automated workflows. The position is part of Mechanical and Control Systems Division (Division 35), which develops advanced mechanical, robotics, thermal, propulsion, onboard GNC, and electronic packaging systems, from early architecture through design, fabrication, integration, and testing. JPL is located in Pasadena, California, in a campus-like environment on 177 acres in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains.

Requirements

Currently enrolled at least half-time at an accredited college or university and pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business, Engineering, Computer Science, Data Analytics, Information Systems, or a related field.
Available to work at least 20 hours per week.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to work with and interpret data.
Demonstrated interest in both business strategy and technical implementation, through coursework, projects, or prior experience.
Ability to work in a team environment.
Strong communication skills, including the ability to clearly present ideas, findings, and recommendations.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment.
Minimum GPA of 3.0/4.0.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with collaboration and content platforms such as Microsoft Teams, SharePoint, or similar environments.
Familiarity with workflow automation or low-code/no-code platforms such as Power Automate, Power Apps, or similar.
Experience with data analysis, visualization, or dashboard development using tools such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar.
Experience working with structured and unstructured data, such as Excel, databases, or basic scripting with Python.
Interest in business development, strategy, or project/program support within a technical organization.
Experience preparing presentations, reports, or briefing materials for stakeholders.

Responsibilities

Work with team members to understand business development workflows, data needs, and opportunity lifecycle processes.
Design and develop dashboards, trackers, and lightweight applications that support opportunity tracking and portfolio visibility.
Support process improvement by helping automate manual workflows using appropriate tools.
Organize and structure data from multiple sources to enable consistent reporting and analysis.
Assist in developing internal team sites or knowledge-sharing platforms to improve information accessibility and usability.
Collaborate with Business Administration Section team members and Section technical personnel on assigned tasks.
Provide backup support to Section business teams during periods of high demand.
Support administrative and operational functions, including recruiting and hiring, affiliate management, human resources, workforce planning and forecasting, asset and facilities management, and financial planning and reporting.