Optics & Electro-Optical Engineering Summer Intern
About The Position
QinetiQ US is seeking a motivated undergraduate student currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related STEM discipline to join our Optics, Displays, and laser team for a summer internship at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. This is a hands-on, 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 gain real-world experience supporting the design, development, testing, and evaluation of advanced optical systems, micro-displays, virtual display technologies, and laser devices 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 is an excellent opportunity for students looking to apply classroom knowledge to cutting-edge defense technology programs in a collaborative, multidisciplinary engineering environment.
Requirements
- Currently enrolled in and actively pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Materials Science, or a closely related STEM discipline (sophomore, junior, or senior standing preferred)
- Coursework in optics, physics, electromagnetics, or related subjects
- Strong interest in optics, photonics, imaging systems, and/or electro-optical technologies
- Ability to work onsite at Fort Belvoir, Virginia for a minimum of 8 consecutive weeks during the summer
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Ability to work collaboratively in a multidisciplinary team environment
- Attention to detail and willingness to learn in a hands-on laboratory setting
- Must be a U.S. Citizen and able to obtain a DoD Secret clearance (or have an active clearance)
Nice To Haves
- Completed coursework or lab experience in optical design, lens systems, imaging science, or photonics
- Familiarity with optical design software such as Zemax
- Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or similar data acquisition and analysis tools
- Hands-on experience in a laboratory, machine shop, or maker space environment
- Interest in or exposure to infrared imaging, electro-optical systems, display technologies, or defense applications
- Prior internship or co-op experience in an engineering or scientific environment
Responsibilities
- Assist senior engineers and scientists in the research, development, and prototyping of advanced optical materials, components, assemblies, and subassemblies for imaging and non-imaging systems
- Support hands-on laboratory activities including assembly, alignment, calibration, and testing of optical components and systems
- Assist with technology trade studies, optical design and performance modeling, and fabrication tolerance analysis under the guidance of experienced staff
- Support the research and development of micro-display components and eyepiece optics, including straight-view refractive, waveguide, and freeform prism technologies for head-mounted and weapon-mounted virtual displays
- Assist in building prototypes and assessing displays and eyepiece optics in a laboratory environment
- Support laboratory testing, characterization, and field testing of advanced EO/IR camera sensors operating in Ultraviolet, Visible, NIR, SWIR, MWIR, and LWIR wavebands, including multi-band camera sensors
- Assist with the evaluation of Visible Camera (Day TV), Image Intensifier (I²), Digital Image Intensifier (I²TV), SWIR sensors, cooled and uncooled detectors, Dewars, and threat warning sensors
- Support documentation efforts, including contributing to Scientific and Technical Reports and test data collection
- Assist with research into anti-reflectance, high-reflectivity, and enhanced absorption optical coatings and thin-film optical surface treatments
- Participate in design reviews and team meetings, gaining exposure to the full engineering lifecycle from concept through prototype
- Perform other duties as assigned in support of the Optics, Displays, and Sensor Protection mission areas
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What This Job Offers
Career Level
Intern
