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Internship Electro Optical Engineer Jobs in California

Apex

Electro-Optical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$90K - $120K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline * Hands-on experience ...

Mosaic.tech

Electro-Optical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$120 - $180/hr

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline * Hands-on experience ...

Apex Space, Inc.

Electro-Optical Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$140 - $190/hr

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Software Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related discipline * Hands-on experience ...

Picarro, Inc

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$151K - $196K/yr

Optical Engineer Santa Clara, CA (Onsite) The Opportunity We are seeking a hands-on, mid-level ... Diagnose optical performance issues in complex electro-optomechanical systems, identify root causes ...

Picarro, Inc

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$151K - $196K/yr

Optical Engineer Santa Clara, CA (Onsite) The Opportunity We are seeking a hands-on, mid-level ... Diagnose optical performance issues in complex electro-optomechanical systems, identify root causes ...

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Internship Electro Optical Engineer information

What does an internship electro optical engineer do?

An Internship Electro Optical Engineer assists in the design, development, and testing of optical and electronic systems, such as lasers, sensors, or imaging devices. Interns typically work under the supervision of experienced engineers, helping with experiments, data analysis, and technical documentation. Their tasks may involve using specialized software to model optical components, assembling prototypes, and participating in team meetings. This role provides hands-on experience and exposure to real-world engineering challenges in the field of electro-optics.

What types of projects or tasks can an internship electro optical engineer expect to work on during their internship?

As an Electro Optical Engineering intern, you can expect to assist with the design, testing, and analysis of optical systems such as lenses, lasers, sensors, or imaging devices. Interns often support senior engineers with prototyping, data collection, and troubleshooting experimental setups in laboratory settings. You may also be tasked with documenting results, preparing reports, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical and electrical engineers. This hands-on experience helps interns develop technical skills and gain insights into industry practices.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an internship electro optical engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Electro Optical Engineer, you need a solid background in physics, optics, and electrical engineering, typically supported by progress toward a relevant bachelor’s or master’s degree. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), lab measurement equipment, and programming languages like MATLAB or Python is highly valuable. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help interns excel in both independent tasks and collaborative projects. These competencies are crucial for successfully contributing to innovative optical solutions and ensuring precise, high-quality engineering outcomes.

What is the difference between Internship Electro Optical Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectInternship Electro Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
CredentialsEnrolled in or recent graduate of Electrical, Optical, or Physics programsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentInternship setting, often in R&D labs or manufacturing facilitiesFull-time professional roles in research, development, or manufacturing
Industry UsageUsed for training, entry-level positions, or internships in optics and photonics companiesFull professional roles in optics, photonics, telecommunications, or defense industries

The main difference between an Internship Electro Optical Engineer and an Optical Engineer lies in experience level and employment status. Internships are temporary training positions for students or recent graduates, focusing on gaining practical skills. Optical Engineers are full-time professionals responsible for designing, developing, and testing optical systems. Both roles require knowledge of optics, but the internship is a stepping stone toward a full engineering career in the field.

What are the most commonly searched types of Electro Optical Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Electro Optical Engineer jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Internship Electro Optical Engineer jobs in California?

For Internship Electro Optical Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Internship Electro Optical Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Internship Electro Optical Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Internship Electro Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Internship Electro Optical Engineer job openings:

Internship Electro Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Internship Electro Optical Engineer job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

Electro-Optical Engineer (All levels)

Impulse Space

Redondo Beach, CA • On-site

$150K - $250K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Re-posted 22 days ago

Job description

Electro-Optical Engineer (All levels)
Department: Avionics
Employment Type: Full Time
Location: Redondo Beach
Reporting To: Bryce Wilson
Compensation: $150,000 - $250,000 / year
Description
As a Senior Electro-Optical Engineer at Impulse, you will own the development of flight camera systems and optical payloads from early architecture through test and flight. This role is for someone who wants to do more than contribute analysis in a narrow lane, you will be responsible for the technical execution of a spacecraft electro-optical product and will help define how it is built, tested, and
integrated.
You will work across optics, camera hardware, embedded software, opto-mechanics, avionics, test, and spacecraft integration to deliver high-performance flight systems on aggressive timelines. This is a high-autonomy role with significant room for growth. The right person will be comfortable acting as the technical owner of the product, driving decisions, coordinating cross-functional execution, and closing hardware quickly.
(Leveling will be commensurate with experience).
Responsibilities
  • Own the technical development of flight camera systems and optical payloads from concept through flight.
  • Define requirements, drive architecture trades, and make key decisions across optics, detector selection, embedded camera interfaces, opto-mechanics, thermal design, and calibration strategy.
  • Partner closely with embedded software, avionics, mechanical, thermal, manufacturing, and test teams to bring up, validate, and mature hardware.
  • Lead subsystem integration, test planning, issue resolution, and performance closure for electro-optical flight hardware.
  • Drive execution with a high degree of autonomy, including risk retirement, prioritization, vendor coordination, and communication of technical status to leadership.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Aerospace Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 6+ years of experience developing complex hardware systems in at least one relevant domain: camera systems, embedded imaging systems, electro-optical payloads, opto-mechanics, or optical systems.
  • Demonstrated experience owning a subsystem, product, or major technical workstream through development and test.
  • Strong cross-functional engineering judgment and the ability to translate mission needs into practical hardware decisions.
  • Hands-on experience debugging and maturing real hardware in a lab, integration, or production environment.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Preferred Skills and Experience
  • Experience developing flight cameras, imaging payloads, optical navigation systems, electro-optical spacecraft hardware, or other precision imaging systems.
  • Strong core competency in one or more of the following: camera embedded software, electro-optical hardware, opto-mechanics, or optical system design.
  • Experience with CMOS image sensors, camera electronics, detector bring-up, image pipelines, or embedded camera software.
  • Experience with optical design and analysis tools such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or similar.
  • Experience with calibration, image quality characterization, and environmental test of precision imaging systems.
  • Space hardware experience, including qualification, acceptance, launch survivability, and spacecraft integration, is strongly preferred.
  • Prior experience operating as a responsible engineer, technical lead, principal investigator, or product-facing engineering owner is a plus.

Why this role at Impulse
This is an opportunity to take real ownership of hardware that flies. You will have the autonomy to shape architecture, drive execution, and influence product direction while working on spacecraft payloads in a fast-moving environment.
As the team grows, this role offers meaningful opportunities to expand in scope and technical leadership.
Additional Information:
Compensation bands are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual level and base pay is determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related skills, education, experience, technical capabilities and internal equity. In addition to base salary, for full-time hires, you may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of stock options, and access to medical, vision & dental coverage as well as access to a 401(k) retirement plan.
Impulse Space's spacecraft manufacturing business is subject to U.S. export regulations including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR). This position requires applicants to be either U.S. Persons (i.e., U.S. citizen, U.S. national, lawful permanent U.S. resident (green card holder), an individual granted asylum in the U.S., or an individual admitted in U.S. refugee status) or persons eligible to obtain an export license from the U.S. Departments of State, Commerce, or other applicable U.S. government agencies. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Impulse Space is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Impulse Space is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.

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