Optoelectronics Electrical Engineering Co-Op

Draper•Cambridge, MA

7d•$20 - $45•Onsite

About The Position

Draper’s Optoelectronics Electrical Engineering Co-Op supports research and development of receiver and transmitter technologies for optical communication, LIDAR, and remote sensing applications. Co-ops work with senior technical staff and multidisciplinary teams on programs matched to their skills, experience, interests, and availability. They participate in product development activities including design and prototyping, analysis and simulation, modeling, and testing, and communicate their work through written memos, presentations, and test reports. Students may work on silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) and single-photon avalanche photodiode (SPAD) receivers; electronic components such as transimpedance amplifiers, low-noise amplifiers, comparators, level shifters, and time-of-flight components; pulsed laser diode drivers; printed circuit board design, fabrication, integration, and testing; and digital systems using microcontrollers and ASICs for signal-processing algorithms. The position is based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and is scheduled to run for six months, January through June 2027. Hours and program duration may be flexible based on the student’s school schedule and availability.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. citizen.
Must be enrolled in an accredited full-time undergraduate or graduate degree program and an accredited engineering curriculum.
Excellent written and oral communication skills.
Strong work ethic and ability to work independently or as part of a team.
Ability to adapt to changing environments, risks, and vulnerabilities.
Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Excel.
Experience with two or more of the listed technical areas is sought; candidates are not expected to have every listed skill.

Nice To Haves

Scripting or modeling experience with MATLAB, Simulink, LabVIEW, Python, or similar tools.
Experience with simulation tools such as SPICE, CST, COMSOL, or ANSYS HFSS/SIwave.
Experience with board and chip design toolsets such as Cadence, Mentor Graphics, or KiCAD.
Knowledge of signal integrity, layout, and grounding design principles.
Hands-on experience designing, testing, or debugging digital and/or analog electronics.
Hands-on experience with photonic test-bench equipment such as power meters, attenuators, oscilloscopes, spectrometers, interferometers, and fiber- or free-space systems.

Responsibilities

Design, develop, and enhance engineering solutions to challenging problems.
Implement and test solutions, perform analysis, and provide documentation support.
Generate and present test reports containing plots, tables, evaluation criteria, and conclusions based on collected and analyzed data.
Complete assignments intended to develop practical knowledge of engineering processes, procedures, equipment, facilities, systems, and their interrelationships.
Participate in product development, including design and prototyping, analysis and simulation, modeling, and testing.
Communicate work effectively in oral presentations and written memos.
Perform other duties as assigned.