Optical Engineer Internships
Optical engineer internships give university students, recent graduates, and early-career switchers hands-on project experience working alongside working engineers, and, at many employers, a path toward a full-time offer. Openings cover {{top_industries_phrase}}, with ETC, KLA, and QuEra Computing among the employers posting roles now.
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Since 1975, ETC has provided innovative lighting fixtures to the theatre, architectural and entertainment industries. Our lights include both wash style, and profile spot (re-imaging) lights, providing lighting designers with a broad range of choices over field of view, color gamut, diffusion, projected images, and special effects. Our optical engineers combine skills in lens design, illumination design, and colorimetry to provide spectacular image quality, color, and control.
Optical Engineer Intern
( Summer 2027 )
Position Specific Duties
Assignment may involve lens design & analysis, illumination design, colorimetry, photometric testing, image quality assessment relating to entertainment or architectural LED lighting fixtures. May also involve QA/Manufacturing, support of existing fixtures, or new lighting fixtures currently in development. Become familiar with tools and software applications (Zemax, SolidWorks) utilized by the R&D department.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Has some knowledge of optical design principles. Applies accepted engineering practices. Demonstrates ability to solve problems and perform root cause analysis. Works effectively in a team environment.
Education and Experience
· Working towards Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering or related field
· Junior or recent BS-graduate status with relevant courses in Optics
· GPA: 3.0 or higher
· This position requires current authorization to work in the US (open to OPT/CPT status)
APPLY DIRECTLY
Please visit: www.etcconnect.com/careers Select Tab = “Current Openings”
Review the job description for Optical Engineer Intern and complete an online application.
Submit your resume AND transcript under “Additional Files”
Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Work Location: In person
Since 1975, ETC has provided innovative lighting fixtures to the theatre, architectural and entertainment industries. Our lights include both wash style, and profile spot (re-imaging) lights, providing lighting designers with a broad range of choices over field of view, color gamut, diffusion, projected images, and special effects. Our optical engineers combine skills in lens design, illumination design, and colorimetry to provide spectacular image quality, color, and control.
Optical Engineer Intern
( Summer 2027 )
Position Specific Duties
Assignment may involve lens design & analysis, illumination design, colorimetry, photometric testing, image quality assessment relating to entertainment or architectural LED lighting fixtures. May also involve QA/Manufacturing, support of existing fixtures, or new lighting fixtures currently in development. Become familiar with tools and software applications (Zemax, SolidWorks) utilized by the R&D department.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Has some knowledge of optical design principles. Applies accepted engineering practices. Demonstrates ability to solve problems and perform root cause analysis. Works effectively in a team environment.
Education and Experience
· Working towards Bachelor’s degree in Optical Engineering or related field
· Junior or recent BS-graduate status with relevant courses in Optics
· GPA: 3.0 or higher
· This position requires current authorization to work in the US (open to OPT/CPT status)
APPLY DIRECTLY
Please visit: www.etcconnect.com/careers Select Tab = “Current Openings”
Review the job description for Optical Engineer Intern and complete an online application.
Submit your resume AND transcript under “Additional Files”
Pay: $20.00 - $30.00 per hour
Expected hours: 40.0 per week
Work Location: In person
Optical Engineer Internship Market
Who's Hiring
Tips for Your Optical Engineer Internship Search
Apply earlier than you think you need to
Large employers, including defense contractors, optics manufacturers, and national research labs, recruit summer optical engineer interns the preceding fall, with many deadlines in October or November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post closer to start dates. Starting your search early gives you the full range of options.
Build a portfolio before you send a single application
Optical engineer intern hiring teams want proof of technical judgment, not just a list of classes. Document two or three personal or coursework projects showing your process, the optical design tools you used (Zemax, MATLAB, CODE V), and the results. A linked design file or lab report does more work than a bullet point on a resume.
Work your campus network and apply directly at the same time
Campus fairs surface structured university programs tied to your school, and professors or career center advisors often know which employers recruit from your program before roles post publicly. Applying directly to companies running smaller cohorts alongside campus activity widens the pool you reach, so do both rather than choosing one.
Practice your technical screen out loud before applying
Optical engineer intern interviews typically include a technical screen covering optics fundamentals, ray tracing, or instrumentation problem-solving. Practice explaining your reasoning out loud, not just arriving at an answer, since interviewers weigh your thought process as much as the final result. Run through past coursework problems and design scenarios until your explanation is clear and confident.
Target structured internship programs at larger employers
Many large optics, photonics, and defense companies run cohort-based internship programs built to train people new to the field. These programs offer structured mentorship and exposure to multiple projects, but they recruit early and fill fast. Identify the programs that align with your background and apply in the first wave of their recruiting cycle.
Set your work-type filter before you start searching
On-site roles are 67% of the optical engineer internships listed here. Decide what you can realistically commit to before you start applying, then filter by location and work type on Migrate Mate so you're only reviewing roles you can actually take.
Optical Engineer Internships: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an optical engineer internship?
Lead with coursework and personal projects rather than work history, since hiring teams expect limited experience at the intern level. For optical engineer candidates, a portfolio of documented lab work, optical design simulations, or instrumentation projects gives recruiters something concrete to assess. Pair direct applications with campus career fairs, where recruiters often move faster for students they meet in person.
Can an optical engineer internship turn into a full-time job?
Many employers extend return offers to strong interns, but conversion is never guaranteed. For optical engineer interns, what actually drives it is the quality of your work on real projects, available headcount on the team, and how early the return-offer conversation happens. Treat the internship as an extended audition, perform well, and ask about timelines, but don't count on a specific outcome.
When should I apply for optical engineer internships?
Earlier than most expect. Large employers, including defense contractors, semiconductor manufacturers, and research labs, recruit summer optical engineer interns the preceding fall, often with deadlines in October or November. Smaller companies and co-op programs post much closer to start dates, so openings appear year-round. Checking listings regularly means you won't miss either cycle.
Are optical engineer internships paid?
Most professional optical engineer internships in the United States are paid. Compensation varies by company size, industry, and location. Where an employer discloses pay, the listing will show it. Research and government-lab positions sometimes offer stipends rather than hourly wages, so read each listing carefully to understand the structure.
What should an optical engineer internship resume include?
Lead with projects, not work history. Include two or three complete, documented projects showing the tools and software used, such as Zemax, CODE V, or MATLAB, and link to design files, lab reports, or published analyses where possible. Add relevant coursework in photonics, optics, or imaging systems. Keep everything to one page, since hiring managers scan quickly at the intern level.
Are there remote optical engineer internships?
Yes. Remote and hybrid roles make up 33% of the optical engineer internship listings here, with the rest on-site. Remote cohorts fill fast because they draw applicants from across the country, so apply early and filter by work type to see them before they close.
Can international students get optical engineer internships?
Yes. F-1 students can intern through CPT while enrolled or through OPT work authorization after finishing a degree, and the employer does not have to file anything for either, so many companies are open to international interns. Confirm your eligibility and timing with your university's international student office before accepting an offer.
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