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Optical Engineer Intern Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B. Combination of education and ... Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a ...

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Optical Engineer Intern information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$15

$28

$44

How much do optical engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical engineer intern in Seattle, WA is $28.93, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.51 and $32.84 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 Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Optical Engineer Intern jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Optical Engineer Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Optical Engineer Intern job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Internship, and 80% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $60,164 per year, or $28.9 per hour.

INTERDISCIPLINARY ENGINEER

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

Bremerton, WA • On-site

$45K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 27 days ago


U.S. Department Of Defense rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 539 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 49 rated military and defense


Job description

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies. Applications will not be accepted through this flyer. Interested applicants must follow the directions in the "How to Apply" section of this flyer to be considered. There may or may not be actual vacancies filled from this flyer. Notice of Result letters will not be sent to applicants who respond to this flyer.
Qualifications:GS-07: Your resume must demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS-05 grade level or pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector as a professional engineer providing maintenance and engineering support for systems applicable to all nuclear submarine classes, surface ships, or other power plants
(OR education substitution, see below).

GS-05: You must meet the basic education requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual as indicated in the Education Section of this announcement.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website: https://www.opm.gov/policy-data-oversight/classification-qualifications/general-schedule-qualification-standards/0800/files/all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment.Education:Applicants must meet the following positive education qualifications requirements of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Qualifications Standards Manual:
Successful completion of a professional engineering degree. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher) 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. Such education must demonstrate the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to do the work of the position.
OR
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 more information about EI and EIT registration requirements, please visit the National Society of Professional Engineers website at: http://www.nspe.org OR Evidence of having successfully passed 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, and Puerto Rico The FE examination is not administered by the U. S. Office of Personnel Management. For more information, please visit: http://www.nspe.org/Licensure/HowtoGetLicensed/index.html
OR
Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and in engineering that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A (above). The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A (above).
OR
Successful
completion of a 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 bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least one year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily, 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.
Additional Experience and Training Provisions for Graduates of Engineering Programs:
GS-07:
Successful completion of one year of graduate-level education
OR
Superior academic achievement
GS-05: NO SUBSTITUTIONS
***NOTE: College Transcripts from an accredited University MUST be submitted to show proof the applicant meets education requirements to support basic education and/or substitution for specialized experience.Employment Type: OTHER

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