Reliability Engineering Intern

Employment: Internship
Start Date: Spring
Department: Engineering Research & Development
Role Overview:
We are looking for an optical engineering intern to support laboratory research and data analysis. As an Optical Engineering Intern focused on diffraction gratings, your day bridges the gap between cutting-edge theory and hands-on laboratory reality. You might start your morning at your desk, reviewing efficiency simulations in MATLAB or modeling stray light behavior in Zemax to optimize a new grating profile. By mid-day, you’ll head into the lab or cleanroom, suiting up to work alongside senior engineers on high-precision optical tables.
Program Highlights:
6-month co-op assignment within a functional area of the company a comprehensive and engaging experience from before your program starts to after the program ends.
Meaningful work and project assignments
Networking opportunities with peers and executives
Exposure to different divisions of the business
Understanding of the company’s commitment to culture and belonging
Intern/Co-op Term: This is a 6-month internship/co-op beginning in January 2027. You Will Make an Impact By
Assisting in the setup, alignment, and execution of optical test beds for characterizing diffraction grating efficiency and wavefront quality.
Utilizing optical design software (e.g., Zemax) or scripting languages (e.g., MATLAB/Python) to model grating behavior and analyze experimental data.
Performing routine inspection of optical components using microscopes and interferometers to ensure quality control standards are met.
Documenting test procedures, compiling data, and presenting findings to the engineering team.
Microscopic and Near-Vision Focus: Inspecting optical surfaces for defects, scratches, or particulate contamination requires excellent near-vision acuity, often aided by microscopes or high-powered loupes.
Laser Safety and Color Perception: Working around high-powered lasers requires the strict, continuous use of laser safety goggles. These goggles filter out specific wavelengths, which alters color perception and reduces ambient light, making visual tasks more straining.
Low-Light Environments: Optical alignment and testing are frequently performed in darkened or completely blacked-out labs to eliminate stray ambient light, which can cause eye strain over time.
Computer Screen Strain: High cognitive focus paired with looking at high-resolution monitors for geometric modeling and data analysis.
Qualifications:
Up to 0-10 % of Travel is required.
Currently pursuing a BS, MS, or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Mechanical Engineering (with an optics focus), or a related technical discipline.
Completed coursework in physical optics, wave mechanics, or laser physics.
Hands-on experience in a university optics laboratory or prior internship environment is highly preferred.
Familiarity with laser safety practices.
Extended Standing and Bending: Aligning complex optical trains on a breadboard or optical table often requires standing, leaning over tables, and holding specific postures for extended periods to ensure perfect beam alignment.
Cleanroom Gowning and Protocols: Working in a cleanroom requires wearing full protective gear (bunny suits, hoods, masks, gloves, and booties). This can sometimes feel restrictive, warm, or fatiguing over a long shift.
Lifting and Tool Handling: While individual optical components are often light, the associated hardware—such as vacuum chambers, laser power supplies, optomechanical assemblies, and diagnostic equipment—can be heavy, requiring occasional lifting of 20 to 50 lbs.
Sedentary Desk Work: Spending long stretches of time sitting or standing at a desk utilizing CAD software, Zemax/Code V, or MATLAB.
Compensation:
The compensation for this role is $25.00–$35.00 per hour.
Procedure:
We are an HR consultancy firm, and we help candidates match with the potential roles by using an Artificial Intelligence System which is free of cost. If you meet the eligibility criteria, please apply and our recruitment team will help you understand your strengths and strategize your career ahead. We can let you know better once you submit your resume.

Work arrangement
Yes