Optics & Electro-Optical Engineering Summer Intern - Graduate
About The Position
QinetiQ US is seeking a graduate student or recent degree holder with a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related STEM discipline to join our Optics, Displays, and Sensor Protection team for a summer internship at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. This is a full-time, onsite internship with no remote work option. The selected intern must be available to work a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks during the summer. The intern will contribute to meaningful technical work supporting the design, development, testing, and evaluation of advanced optical systems, micro-display and virtual display technologies, EO/IR sensors, and sensor protection solutions operating across the Visible (VIS), Near IR (NIR), Short-Wave IR (SWIR), Mid-Wave IR (MWIR), and Long-Wave IR (LWIR) portions of the electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) spectrum. This role is ideal for candidates who have foundational academic knowledge and are looking to apply and deepen their technical expertise in a fast-paced defense prototyping environment.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in a Master's or Doctoral program, or holds a recently conferred (within the past 12 months) Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related STEM discipline
- Demonstrated coursework or academic project experience in optics, photonics, imaging systems, electro-optical systems, or a related technical area
- Experience with optical design software such as Zemax (academic or professional)
- Experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for instrumentation, data acquisition, and analysis
- Ability to perform hands-on laboratory work, including assembly, alignment, calibration, and testing of optical devices and systems
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to contribute to technical reports and documentation
- Ability to work onsite at Fort Belvoir, Virginia for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks during the summer
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to obtain a DoD Secret clearance (or have an active clearance)
Nice To Haves
- Graduate-level coursework or thesis/research experience in optical design, imaging science, infrared systems, thin-film coatings, display technologies, or electro-optical countermeasures
- Experience with VIS, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and/or LWIR imaging systems or sensors
- Experience with imaging system assembly, test, calibration, and/or characterization
- Familiarity with micro-display technologies, waveguide optics, freeform optics, or head-mounted display systems
- Experience with cooled and/or uncooled detector technologies
- Experience with optical coatings, thin-film design, or surface treatment processes
- Experience with machining, mechanical design, electronics, or building scientific instruments
- Experience with lasers and/or a variety of optical components and instruments
- Prior internship, co-op, or research experience in a defense, government, or related R&D environment
- A passion for optical and electro-optical technologies and their application to national defense
Responsibilities
- Contribute to the research, development, and prototyping of advanced optical materials, components, assemblies, and subassemblies for imaging and non-imaging systems, including lightweight eyepiece optics and electronically switchable optical devices
- Perform or support optical design and performance modeling, technology trade studies, fabrication tolerance analysis, and design reviews
- Support the research and development of anti-reflectance, high-reflectivity, and enhanced absorption optical coatings and thin-film optical surface treatments for broad and narrow band applications
- Contribute to the research and development of micro-display components and eyepiece optics, including straight-view refractive, waveguide, and freeform prism technologies for advanced virtual displays in head-mounted and weapon-mounted display applications
- Support improvements in materials and processes, investigation into new display technologies, building of prototypes, and assessment of displays and eyepiece optics in a laboratory environment
- Support the development, testing, and evaluation of IR and EO devices operating across VIS, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR wavebands, including MWIR/LWIR and VISNIR/SWIR Threat Warning Sensors
- Perform or assist with laboratory testing, characterization, and field testing of advanced EO/IR camera sensors, including Visible Camera (Day TV), Image Intensifier (I²), Digital Image Intensifier (I²TV), SWIR sensors, cooled and uncooled detectors, Dewars, and multi-band camera sensors
- Support research into advanced Low Optical Cross Section (OCS) sensor technologies, Anti-Jamming techniques, and laser damage protection methods
- Contribute to the preparation of Scientific and Technical Reports, test plans, test reports, and technical documentation in accordance with applicable Data Item Descriptions (DIDs)
- Collaborate within multidisciplinary teams of hardware engineers, software engineers, and scientists to design, develop, assemble, test, and optimize optical and electro-optical systems
- Participate in design reviews and present findings to government and internal stakeholders as appropriate
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Intern
