2026 Global Technology - Cybersecurity Intern

Job Description :

Company Description :

McDonald's is proud to be one of the most recognized brands in the world, with restaurants in over 100 countries that serve 70 million customers daily. As the global leader in the foodservice industry, our legacy of innovation and hard work continues to drive us.

From drive-thru updates to delivery to mobile order and pay, we are innovating quickly and growing. Joining McDonald's means thinking big and preparing for a career that can have influence around the world.

At McDonald's, we see every day as a chance to create a positive impact. We lead through our values centered on inclusivity, service, integrity, community, and family. From the support of Ronald McDonald House Charities to our Youth Opportunity project and sustainability initiatives, our values keep us dedicated to using our scale for good : good for our customers, people, industry, and the planet. We also offer outstanding benefits including a sabbatical program, tuition assistance, and flexible work arrangements.

We are an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our crew members, staff, operators, and suppliers. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. We are interested in people who enhance our company culture : Does this role interest you? We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet every single requirement!

Department Overview

Department Overview :

This opportunity is a part of Global Cyber Security (GCS) that enables McDonald's to innovate and grow within a clear risk tolerance. GCS focuses on embedding cybersecurity culture into McDonald's DNA to fortify the system against cyber threats through proactive defense, relentless innovation, and strategic collaboration.

Internship Overview :

This internship is based out of our global headquarters in Downtown Chicago. You MUST be willing to relocate to the Chicagoland area, if applicable, for the duration of the internship program.

Housing options provided

You must be authorized to work in the U.S. and not require visa sponsorship for the internship and future employment

Interns work full time, Monday - Friday, during all 10 weeks of the internship (June 8 - August 14, 2026).

Eligible to participate in our Summer Hours program

This internship pays $32 / hr

For the duration of the internship, you will be able to enjoy a flexible work environment where you can think critically and feed your need (and ours) for innovation. After going through initial training, you'll dive in with your full-time team to learn the business and what will be expected of you for the duration of your internship. In GCS, your work might involve

Detecting & Mitigating Threats - Leverage threat intelligence, automation, and analytics to improve security operations, and evaluate security measures through offensive and defensive testing.

Managing Information and Asset Risks - Assess IT risks to identify issues and work with vendors and service providers to identify exposure to risks based on third-party services.

Safeguarding & Managing Data - Embed data security into business processes and protect data risks.

Strengthening Application Security - Evaluate, educate, guide, and streamline processes to mitigate application risks in partnership with development teams.

Remediating & Preventing Security Exploits - Track the detection and remediation of security exploits in partnership with resource owners across Global Technology to prevent incidents from occurring.

Our robust programming includes a variety of events such as our Executive Speaker Series, Learning Sessions, Peer Lunches, Employee Business Network sessions, and other exciting events happening at MHQ throughout the summer! We designed this internship to provide a smooth transition into McDonald's so don't worry - if you bring curiosity and work ethic, we will guide you through everything you need to know about us. In addition, the skills and knowledge you will gain during the internship will set you up for a variety of career paths depending on your interests and strengths. Being a part of the internship program gives you early access to our full-time post-graduation opportunities as well.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualification

You are a strong candidate if you :

Are a Junior working toward your Bachelor's degree with a graduation date in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027

Have proven leadership experience through internships, student groups, professional organizations, or community involvement

Are inquisitive and love problem solving with innovative ideas and new approaches

Take initiatives to apply your learning to deliver high quality results

Show the ability to organize and present ideas in a compelling manner

Preferred Qualifications

You may stand out from the rest if you :

Are pursuing a preferred major including Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Cybersecurity, or other Technology-related degrees

Completed coursework, academic projects, or other activities related to cybersecurity or a related technical area.

Have a basic understanding of cybersecurity concepts such as cyber threats, zero trust, authentication & authorization, incident management, risk & compliance, and SecOps

Compensation

Benefits Eligible : yes

Salary Range

The expected salary range for this role is $32.00 - $32.00 per hour

Additional Information :

Benefits eligible : This position offers health and welfare benefits, a 401(k) plan, adoption assistance program, educational assistance program, flexible ways of working, and time off policies (including sick leave, parental leave, and vacation / PTO). Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on job classification and length of employment.

McDonald's is an equal opportunity employer committed to the diversity of our workforce. We promote an inclusive work environment that creates feel-good moments for everyone. McDonald's provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities as part of the application or hiring process or to perform the essential functions of their job. If you need assistance accessing or reading this job posting or otherwise feel you need an accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact mcdhrbenefits@us.mcd.com. Reasonable accommodations will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

McDonald's provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to sex, sex stereotyping, pregnancy (including pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), race, color, religion, ancestry or national origin, age, disability status, medical condition, marital status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, protected military or veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

Nothing in this job posting or description should be construed as an offer or guarantee of employment.

Requsition ID : 2216