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Optical Engineer Intern Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

... as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR * Combination of education and ... Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer ...

Optical Engineer Intern information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$13

$26

$39

How much do optical engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical engineer intern in Chicago, IL is $26.18, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.30 and $29.71 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Optical Engineer Intern position, and why are they important?

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 kinds of projects or tasks do Optical Engineer Interns typically work on during their internship?

Optical Engineer Interns often contribute to a variety of projects, such as assisting in the design and optimization of optical systems, supporting laboratory experiments, analyzing test data, and building prototypes for product development. Interns may work closely with senior engineers to develop optical models or perform simulations, and may also be involved in troubleshooting system issues or improving manufacturing processes. The work is typically hands-on and collaborative, offering frequent opportunities to learn from experienced professionals and to gain real-world experience in the field. This exposure provides interns with valuable technical skills and insight into the daily responsibilities of an optical engineer.

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 most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Optical Engineer Intern jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Optical Engineer Intern job openings:
Infographic showing various Optical Engineer Intern job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $54,460 per year, or $26.2 per hour.
Civil Engineer (Structural)

$74K/yr

Other

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

About the Position: This job announcement will fill multiple vacancies for a Civil Engineer (Structural) at the full performance levels (FPLs) of GS-11, GS-12, GS-13. This positions are with the Dam Safety Production Center - Huntington District.Qualifications:

Who May Apply: Only applicants who meet one of the employment authority categories below are eligible to apply for this job. You will be asked to identify which category or categories you meet, and to provide documents which prove you meet the category or categories you selected. See Proof of Eligibility for an extensive list of document requirements for all employment authorities.

  • Current Department of Army Civilian Employees
  • Current Department of Defense (DOD) Civilian Employee (non-Army)
  • Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System (DCIPS) Interchange Agreement
  • Domestic Defense Industrial Base/Major Range and Test Facilities Base Civilian Personnel Workforce
  • Executive Order (E.O.) 12721
  • Interagency Career Transition Assistance Plan
  • Land Management Workforce Flexibility Act
  • Military Spouses, under Executive Order (E.O.) 13473
  • Non-Department of Defense (DoD) Transfer
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Reserve (MR) and National Guard (NG) Technician Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Military Spouse Preference (MSP) Eligible
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD MR and NG Preference Eligible Tech Receiving Disability Retirement
  • Priority Placement Program, DoD Retained Grade Preference Eligible
  • Reinstatement
  • Veterans Employment Opportunity Act (VEOA) of 1998

This job announcement will fill multiple vacancies at the full performance levels (FPLs) of GS-11, GS-12, GS-13. Applicants selected at the FPL level are not eligible for promotion to a higher grade without competition or a valid non-competitive eligibility.
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Basic Education Requirement for Engineer: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. Program must:
(1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET);
OR
(2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test - Successfully passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - At least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.
4. Related curriculum - Curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. There should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.

Education:In addition to meeting the basic education requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the specialized experience listed below:
TO QUALIFY FOR THE FPL GS-11: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes applying and consulting on structural design of reinforced concrete and steel structures associated with civil works projects, preparing design documentation reports and plans and specifications for civil works projects, reviewing plans and specifications prepared by Architect-Engineer (A-E) firms to make the final decision regarding project designs, and provide engineering and design services during construction of civil works projects.
This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the second lower grade/level position or equivalent (GS-09).
OR
Education: Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree or 3 full years of progressively higher level graduate education leading to such a degree in a field which demonstrates the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position, such as structural engineering.
OR
Combination of Education and Experience: A combination of education and experience may be used to qualify for this position as long as the computed percentage of the requirements is at least 100%. To compute the percentage of the requirements, divide your total months of experience by 12. Then divide the total number of completed graduate semester hours (or equivalent) beyond the second year (total graduate semester hours minus 36) by 18. Add the two percentages.
TO QUALIFY FOR THE FPL GS-12: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience which includes conducting structural engineering work related to dam and levee safety or other large civil works projects; participating in or leading teams in development of structural design products; addressing dam and levee safety deficiencies; producing documentation of design; producing construction plans and specifications; and participating in risk informed dam and levee safety modification studies or risk informed modifications to large civil work projects. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-11).
TO QUALIFY FOR THE FPL GS-13: Specialized Experience: One year of specialized experience includes conducting and directing specialized structural engineering work related to dam and levee safety; leading a multidisciplinary team in the development of structural design products; addressing dam and levee safety deficiencies; and leading risk informed dam safety modification studies for civil works projects. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-12).
Some federal jobs allow you to substitute your education for the required experience in order to qualify. For the GS-12 and GS-13 jobs, you must meet the specialized experience requirement using experience alone--no substitution of education for experience is permitted.
Time in Grade Requirement for GS-11: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-09).
Time in Grade Requirement for GS-12: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-11).
Time in Grade Requirement for GS-13: Applicants who have held a General Schedule (GS) position within the last 52 weeks must have 52 weeks of Federal service at the next lower grade or equivalent (GS-12).
FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/.Employment Type: OTHER

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About Army Corps of Engineers

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Industry

National security, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US