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Optical Engineer Intern Jobs in Illinois (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Transport Network Engineer Intern

Shiloh, IL · On-site

$48K - $86K/yr

As a Transport Network Engineer Intern, you will join our Digital Sector on the Global Solutions ... Are you interested in the hardware and optical systems that form the backbone of a global network?

Leidos

Transport Network Engineer Intern

Shiloh, IL · On-site

$48K - $86K/yr

As aTransport Network Engineer Intern, you will join ourDigital Sectoron the Global Solutions ... Are you interested in the hardware and optical systems that form the backbone of a global network?

Village of Palatine

Civil Engineer I

Palatine, IL · On-site

$87K - $97K/yr

... optic telecommunications systems. The engineer provides technical assistance across all Public ... Engineer Intern (EI) in Illinois, or have the ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Village of Palatine

Civil Engineer I

Palatine, IL · On-site

$87K - $116K/yr

... optic telecommunications systems. The engineer provides technical assistance across all Public ... Engineer Intern (EI) in Illinois, or have the ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Village of Palatine

Civil Engineer I

Palatine, IL · On-site

$87K - $97K/yr

... optic telecommunications systems. The engineer provides technical assistance across all Public ... an Engineer Intern (EI) in Illinois, or have the ability to obtain within six months of hire.

Stryker

$35/hr

As an intern, you won't just observe -- you'll contribute to meaningful projects, gain exposure to ... optics. If you're the type of person that has the magic ability to break things - we want you!

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All JobsOptical Engineer Intern JobsOptical Engineer Intern Jobs in Illinois

Optical Engineer Intern information

See Illinois salary details

$13

$24

$37

How much do optical engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical engineer intern in Illinois is $24.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.05 and $27.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an optical engineer intern do?

An Optical Engineer Intern assists in designing, testing, and optimizing optical systems, such as lenses, lasers, and imaging devices. They work under experienced engineers to conduct experiments, analyze data, and develop prototypes. Their responsibilities may also include running simulations, troubleshooting optical components, and documenting findings. This role provides hands-on experience in optics and photonics, crucial for careers in research, manufacturing, and product development.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical engineer intern?

To thrive as an Optical Engineer Intern, you need a solid background in physics, optics, and mathematics, generally demonstrated through coursework or laboratory experience in optical engineering or related fields. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), CAD programs, and laboratory instrumentation is often required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, effective communication, and the ability to work collaboratively make candidates stand out. These skills enable interns to contribute meaningfully to technical projects, accurately perform experiments, and smoothly integrate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.

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

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Illinois are:

What are popular job titles related to Optical Engineer Intern jobs in Illinois?

For Optical Engineer Intern jobs in Illinois, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical Engineer Intern jobs in Illinois look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Engineer Intern jobs in Illinois are:

What cities in Illinois are hiring for Optical Engineer Intern jobs?

Cities in Illinois with the most Optical Engineer Intern job openings:

Optical Engineer Intern jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Engineer Intern job openings in Illinois as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,229 per year, or $24.6 per hour.

Transport Network Engineer Intern

Leidos

Shiloh, IL • On-site

$48K - $86K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Leidos rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 153 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

81st of 500 rated business services

Job description

Leidos, a leading defense, intelligence, and technology company, is seeking motivated and aspiring engineering students for our Summer 2027 Internship Program (Starts May 2027). As a Transport Network Engineer Intern, you will join our Digital Sector on the Global Solutions Management - Operations II (GSM-O II) contract at Scott AFB, IL. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience supporting the core transport layer of the Defense Information System Network (DISN) in direct support of the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA).
Your Opportunity:
Are you interested in the hardware and optical systems that form the backbone of a global network? As a member of our Operational Engineering team, you will be embedded directly with the engineers responsible for the health and performance of the DISN's transport infrastructure. You will learn how to troubleshoot complex optical platforms, support network upgrades, and analyze traffic to ensure the reliability of critical military communications.
What You'll Do (Potential Projects & Learning Opportunities):
  • Assist senior engineers in the design, development, and modification of network management systems.
  • Gain hands-on experience by supporting the deployment of new network hardware (shelves, cards) on operational nodes.
  • Learn to monitor network changes, analyze traffic behavior, and identify potential impacts to network stability.
  • Assist in performing fault isolation and troubleshooting across various transport platforms (e.g., SONET, DWDM, TDM).
  • Develop skills in maintaining accurate and detailed documentation in ServiceNow ITSM.
  • Support Authorized Service Interruption (ASI) activities by helping to collect site and device data to schedule maintenance.

What You'll Bring (Required):
  • Citizenship & Clearance: Must be a U.S. citizen and eligible to obtain a DoD Secret security clearance.
  • Education: Currently pursuing a degree in a relevant field such as Network Engineering, Computer Engineering, Information Technology, or a related discipline.
  • Technical Foundation: A foundational understanding of basic networking concepts (e.g., TCP/IP, OSI model) and a strong desire to learn about optical transport systems.
  • Analytical Mindset: A proactive approach to problem-solving, a keen attention to detail, and strong analytical skills.
  • Teamwork: A collaborative attitude with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Location: This internship is based on-site at Scott AFB, Illinois. All work must be performed on site - no teleworking opportunities. Candidates must be in the St. Louis Metro area and have their own transportation.

What We Want (Desired):
  • Certifications: Obtaining a CompTIA Security+ certification (or any certification that aligns with DoD 8570 IAT Level II) before the start date is strongly encouraged.
  • Hands-On Experience: Experience from home labs, class projects, or prior internships involving network hardware or troubleshooting.
  • Familiarity with:
    • Optical networking concepts (e.g., SONET, DWDM).
    • Using ITSM or ticketing systems like ServiceNow.
    • Working in a team-based, operational environment.

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
August 26, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $48,100.00 - $86,950.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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