Optics-Physics Sensor Engineering Intern (Summer 2027)
About The Position
Draper is seeking an Optics-Physics Sensor Engineering Intern for summer 2027. The intern will support research and development of precision inertial guidance and imaging instruments for existing customers. Project work may include electro-optical design, optical and thermal model development, materials testing, electrical system design, hardware assembly, testing, and debugging. Specific tasks include testing and evaluating optical and photonic components, designing and fabricating custom optical evaluation setups, optical and electronic modeling, and optical system assembly. Students are expected to work with programs such as LabVIEW, MATLAB, SolidWorks, COMSOL, ANSYS, Mentor Graphics, Python, and GitLab. The position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts. US citizenship is required; Draper cannot sponsor or hire individuals holding H-1B or student visas, and dual citizens are not eligible. The stated US base salary range is $20.00–$45.00. Draper describes work-life balance programs including workplace flexibility, employee clubs, health and finance workshops, off-site social events, and discounts to local museums and cultural activities.
Requirements
- Be a student in physics, materials science, or electrical engineering.
- Have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
- Have hands-on experience.
- Be a US citizen; dual citizens and individuals holding H-1B or student visas are not eligible.
Nice To Haves
- Experience with optical design.
- Experience with thermal control.
- Experience with electro-optic component testing and evaluation.
- Experience with circuit theory.
- Experience interacting with machine shops.
- Experience with technical assembly.
- Experience with Excel, LabVIEW, MATLAB, ACAD, Mentor Graphics, Python, and GitLab.
Responsibilities
- Support research and development of precision inertial guidance and imaging instruments for existing customers.
- Contribute to electro-optical design and optical and thermal model development.
- Support materials testing and electrical system design.
- Assemble, test, and debug hardware.
- Test and evaluate optical and photonic components, including designing and fabricating custom optical evaluation setups.
- Perform optical and electronic modeling.
- Support optical system assembly.
Benefits
- Workplace flexibility.
- Employee clubs, including photography and yoga.
- Health and finance workshops.
- Off-site social events.
- Discounts to local museums and cultural activities.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
