1

Internship Optical Research Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Sr Research Engineer

Reston, VA ยท Hybrid

$164K - $222K/yr

The Sr Engineer - Research Engineering plays a lead technical role in identifying and developing ... Research summer internship program. * Represents Verisign in related external forums to build our ...

Research Engineer 1060S-5

Billerica, MA ยท Hybrid

$75K - $105K/yr

... Research Engineer! About the position: E Ink is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and ... Electro-optical testing * Establish quality control testing for new technologies * Deliver on ...

Research Engineer 1060S-5

Billerica, MA ยท Hybrid

$75K - $105K/yr

... Research Engineer! About the position: E Ink is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and ... Electro-optical testing * Establish quality control testing for new technologies * Deliver on ...

Apply Early

Research Engineer 1060S-5

Billerica, MA ยท On-site

$75K - $105K/yr

... Research Engineer! About the position: E Ink is seeking a highly motivated, detail-oriented, and ... Electro-optical testing * Establish quality control testing for new technologies * Deliver on ...

Photonics Research Engineer III

Boulder, CO ยท On-site

$101K - $151K/yr

PhD in electrical engineering, optics, physics or related technical discipline * PhD thesis or work ... Prior experience working on Government-funded R&D programs * Demonstrated experience working in a ...

Sr Research Engineer

Reston, VA ยท On-site

$164K - $222K/yr

The Sr Engineer - Research Engineering plays a lead technical role in identifying and developing ... Research summer internship program. * Represents Verisign in related external forums to build our ...

... engineer on our team, you will research practical ML algorithms and build with us the next ... optical flow, perceptual quality, ML for video or data compression Excellent written and oral ...

R&D Optical Engineer

Skaneateles, NY ยท On-site

$87K - $163K/yr

R&D Optical Engineer Are you passionate about advancing optical technologies and creating innovative solutions? Do you enjoy working on complex optical systems while collaborating with ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Internship Optical Research Engineer information

See salary details

$2.1K

$6.4K

$7.8K

How much do internship optical research engineer jobs pay per month?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average monthly pay for internship optical research engineer in the United States is $6,439.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $4,416.67 and $7,666.67 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Internship Optical Research Engineer vs Optical Research Scientist?

AspectInternship Optical Research EngineerOptical Research Scientist
QualificationsTypically pursuing or recently completed a relevant degree (BSc, MSc)Advanced degree (MSc, PhD) often required
Work EnvironmentInternship programs, research labs, industry settingsResearch labs, academic institutions, industry R&D
ResponsibilitiesAssisting in experiments, data collection, supporting research projectsDesigning experiments, analyzing data, publishing research

The main difference is that an Internship Optical Research Engineer is an entry-level, temporary position aimed at gaining experience, while an Optical Research Scientist is a more advanced, often permanent role focused on conducting independent research and contributing to scientific knowledge.

What types of projects can an Internship Optical Research Engineer expect to work on, and how is mentorship typically structured?

As an Internship Optical Research Engineer, you will likely support ongoing research and development projects involving optical systems, such as laser design, imaging, or sensor technology. Interns often assist with optical simulations, data analysis, prototyping, and laboratory experiments. Mentorship is typically provided by senior engineers or scientists who guide your technical growth through regular check-ins, collaborative problem-solving, and feedback on your work. This role offers valuable hands-on experience and exposure to real-world optical engineering challenges within a collaborative team environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Internship Optical Research Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Internship Optical Research Engineer, you typically need a solid background in physics or engineering, with coursework or experience in optics and photonics. Familiarity with optical simulation software (such as Zemax or COMSOL), laboratory equipment, and data analysis tools is often expected. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication set candidates apart in this field. These skills are crucial for accurately designing, testing, and reporting on optical systems and for collaborating within research teams.

What does an Internship Optical Research Engineer do?

An Internship Optical Research Engineer assists in the development and testing of optical systems, such as lenses, lasers, and imaging devices. They work under the guidance of senior engineers and researchers to conduct experiments, analyze data, and help improve optical technologies. Interns in this role often use specialized software, perform laboratory work, and contribute to research documentation. This position provides valuable hands-on experience in the field of optics and prepares students for careers in optical engineering or related industries.
More about Internship Optical Research Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Internship Optical Research Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Internship Optical Research Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Research Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Optical Research Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Internship Optical Research Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Internship Optical Research Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Internship Optical Research Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 14% Internship, 72% Full Time, and 14% Part Time. Highlights an 90% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,274 per year, or $37.2 per hour.
Research Engineer, Remote Sensing

Research Engineer, Remote Sensing

SRI International

Ann Arbor, MI โ€ข On-site, Remote

$115K - $172K/yr

Full-time

Posted 11 days ago


Job description

Overview
From our Ann Arbor, MI office, Research Engineers will participate in multi-disciplinary, collaborative teams and contribute to the development of state-of-the-art remote sensing solutions and surveillance technologies. Relevant sensor types include electro-optic/infrared and active/passive radar imaging systems. Projects will include the development of advanced sensor concepts to exploit new and unique phenomenology, and the associated design and validation activities. Check us out!
You will make leading-edge contributions to existing programs and help to shape the direction of future research efforts. You will have the opportunity to develop into a Principal Investigator, designing new research paths, supervising research staff, and interacting with research sponsors to fund new program directions. Most programs are executed in small, highly collaborative groups.
From applied research to product development, the Advanced Technology and Systems Division (ATSD) manages complex projects for government and commercial clients. The vision of ATSD is to create competitive advantages for our customers by inventing new technology and concepts resulting in disruptive, low cost, and high-performance solutions. The division advances the state of the art in diverse areas such as radar and electronic warfare; novel imaging technology; robotics; quantum sensing and metrology; marine technology; and applied optics.
Responsibilities
  • Work with an interdisciplinary team developing algorithms for exploitation of sensor data in geospatial contexts.
  • Formation and analysis of imagery products, development of advanced signal processing tools for image understanding and imagery exploitation, and the integration of data from multiple sources to enhance understanding.
  • Programming, algorithm development, design and execution of Electro-Optic and/or radar computational models & simulations, and analysis of results.
  • Participate in laboratory work, collecting and analyzing sensor data.
  • Additional tasks include defining software and system interfaces, system integration and testing, and field support to experiments and demonstrations. Anticipated work products include written reports and preparation and delivery of presentations and project

Qualifications
  • Ph.D. degree in a relevant field; or Masters in related field with 3 years experience or Bachelors in related field with 5+ years of related experience.
  • U.S. Citizenship with ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government security clearance required.
  • Ability for occasional travel associated with meetings and/or data collections

Desired Skills:
  • Experience associated with radar, imaging sensors, image processing, and signal/data processing applications.
  • Experience with software development in C and/or C++ and algorithm implementations in Python/MATLAB.
  • Experience with Unix/Linux operating system
  • Solid analytical ability.

The salary range is: $115,710-$172,115. Salary ranges will vary and are based on several factors, including geographic location, market competitiveness and equity amongst internal employees in similar roles. Positions may also qualify for SRI's Pay for Outstanding Performance program or the annual Performance Based Compensation program. SRI also has a competitive benefits package, to view details please go to https://www.sri.com/resources/benefits/. SRI will accept applications until the position is filled.
SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For more than 75 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.