R&D Operations & Automation Engineer Intern
About The Position
HyperLight is seeking an R&D Operations & Automation Engineer Intern to join their team. This role offers a unique opportunity to work at the intersection of R&D operations, engineering automation, data, and advanced photonic technology. The intern will collaborate with R&D and cross-functional engineering teams to enhance the planning, execution, tracking, and analysis of development activities. Key tasks include identifying opportunities for R&D workflow improvements, developing automation solutions and engineering tools, and utilizing data to boost engineering efficiency and accelerate development cycles. This position is ideal for individuals who enjoy understanding complex engineering processes, solving open-ended problems, and applying engineering, data analysis, automation, and programming skills to real-world R&D challenges. The role is situated in a fast-paced, collaborative, and high-growth environment focused on the commercialization of thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) integrated photonics.
Requirements
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s in Physics, Applied Physics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Data Science or a related technical field
- Experience and strong interest in R&D operations, process improvement, and engineering automation
- Programming experience with Python or similar coding languages for engineering, data analysis, or automation applications
- Strong engineering fundamentals and demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills
- Ability to analyze engineering data and translate findings into practical improvements
- Strong organizational skills and ability to understand and improve complex engineering workflows
- Strong communication skills and ability to collaborate across multiple engineering disciplines
- Self-motivated, detail-oriented, and comfortable solving open-ended problems in a fast-paced R&D environment
- Authorization to work in the US is required
Nice To Haves
- Experience with AI/LLM tools, AI agents, or agentic workflows for engineering automation, data analysis, or workflow optimization is a plus.
- Experience with photonics, semiconductor fabrication, device characterization, or manufacturing environments is a plus
- Experience with laboratory equipment, measurement instruments, test automation, or data acquisition is a plus
Responsibilities
- Support the planning, tracking, and execution of R&D projects, experiments, and engineering lots
- Analyze R&D workflows to identify bottlenecks, inefficiencies, and opportunities for process improvement
- Develop automation solutions and engineering tools to streamline R&D workflows and reduce repetitive manual work
- Use programming, data analysis, and dashboards to automate recurring tasks and improve visibility into R&D activities
- Analyze engineering and operational data to identify trends, anomalies, and root causes, supporting data-driven decisions and improvements in cycle time and execution efficiency
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to standardize R&D workflows, develop SOPs, and drive continuous improvement
Benefits
- Competitive market-based compensation ($28 - $34 per hour)
- Commuter benefits
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
Education Level
No Education Listed
