Optical Engineering Intern - Defense (Summer 2026)
About The Position
nLIGHT is currently recruiting for an Engineering student to intern with us for the summer of 2026. This internship is a 10 to 12-week program that offers challenging assignments, projects, and career development opportunities to enhance your professional growth. You will also earn a competitive wage based on your discipline and academic class status. The Directed Energy team develops cutting-edge laser and opto-mechanical/electrical systems for the defense market. We work as a multidisciplinary team with the focus on supporting production and new product introductions of complex laser systems.
Requirements
- You bring lab experience with lasers and optical measurements (power, polarization, beam quality, etc.)
- You possess a basic understanding of laser theory, either in fiber or free space
- You have experience with Excel as well as advanced data analysis tools such as MATLAB or Python
- You have excellent written and verbal communication skills
- You take initiative and have an eagerness to learn
- You must be working toward a degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields
- You must have completed (at a minimum) your sophomore year in college
- You must have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above to be considered
Responsibilities
- Assist in set up and qualification of test benches for novel opto-mechanical/electronic devices
- Assembly of systems including mechanical assembly and fiber splicing
- Perform component level and full system level optical tests for high power lasers
- Organize, analyze, and present data to the broader team
Benefits
- Medical, Dental and Vision Benefits including Prescription and Orthodontia with employee-paid premiums as low as $40.00 per pay period
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
Number of Employees
501-1,000 employees
