IT Systems Engineering & Support Intern – Summer 2026 to Winter 2027
About Smart Ass Nerds
Smart Ass Nerds is a diverse technology services provider supporting micro-businesses, large enterprises, and government agencies. While we’re rooted in Metro Detroit, we support clients across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and the U.K.Our Hands-On Training & Certification Program
Your internship isn’t just a job — it’s a structured, multi-phase IT training journey designed to build real-world skills quickly. All training takes place in person at our Livonia, Michigan office so you can learn directly from experienced engineers and use our full technical lab.Phase 1: Foundations (Weeks 0–4)
- Understanding ticketing & documentation
- PC imaging, setup, configuration, repair
- Networking fundamentals using real gear
- Intro to Microsoft 365, Active Directory & user management
- Lab simulations to prep for live support
Phase 2: Real-World Service Desk (Months 0–6)
- Take live tickets via phone, chat, and remote tools
- Troubleshoot PCs, servers, printers, VoIP, cameras
- Shadow senior engineers; weekly learning labs
- Certification cost reimbursed after you pass
Phase 3: Engineering & Field Work (Months 2–6)
- On-site deployments; configure switches, APs, VoIP
- Virtualization: Hyper-V, VMware
- Build full environments in our lab
- Learn cabling, fiber, racking basics
Phase 4: Specialization & Career Pathing (Months 2 – 6)
- Help Desk / Support Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Project & Field Work
- Special Projects (VoIP, security, access control)
What You’ll Do Day-to-Day
- Provide remote & in-person tech support using phone, chat, and remote tools
- Work on PCs, servers, networks, VoIP, cameras, printers, access control & more
- Deploy hardware/software at client sites
- Communicate professionally and follow up with users
- Lift up to 50 lbs for installs and equipment moves
- Research issues, document solutions, and work independently
- Build and test systems in our lab before client deployments
- Create and update documentation for users and internal teams
Hours & Schedule
- Part-time: 16–32 hours/week
- First-shift hours with weekend options
- Some after business hours or weekend work may be required
Requirements
- Eager to learn and take on challenges
- Great communication and customer service skills
- Able to follow directions and work independently
- Reliable transportation; on-time attendance
- Willingness to work weekends/holidays when needed
- Desire for long-term career growth
- High school diploma/GED OR High School Senior with 3.2+ GPA (Juniors considered with online/co-op coursework)
- Must have held a job, volunteer role, or enrolled in education within the past 6 months
A Strong Candidate Will Have
- Worked toward an IT certification or related degree
- 0–2 years of tech support experience or strong desire to learn
- Basic PC hardware/software skills (including Microsoft Office)
- Understanding of networking basics (CAT6/7, TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, 802.11 standards, fiber, switches, etc.)
Bonus Skills (Not Required)
- Active Directory or Azure AD; Microsoft/Office 365
- Virtualization (Hyper-V, VMware, etc.)
- macOS, Linux, Adobe, POS systems, VoIP, CCTV, access control
- Cisco, Juniper, or Arista experience
- Smartphone/tablet configuration; MDM / Intune
- Experience helping non-technical users
- HIPAA or medical tech familiarity; Hosting/server management (VPS, web)
- MSP, VoIP, fiber or structured cabling experience
Other Important Info
- Background and credit check required
- U.S. Citizenship required (government client work)
- No visa sponsorship provided; No relocation assistance
- Must be able to commute to our Livonia, Michigan office
Disqualifications
- Higher than a bachelor's degree (overqualified for this role)
- Non US Citizen (Required for our government contracts)
- Only looking for remote work
- Unable to regularly come into the office.
- Criminal convictions and/or poor financial management
- Not having a valid driver's license
- More than 2 points on driver’s license, DUI/OWI, and other serious driving violations
