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Optical Engineer Intern Jobs in Tucson, AZ (NOW HIRING)

General Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$91K/yr

... as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.ORA combination of education and ... Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1 , or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any ...

... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the ... OR Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a ...

Optical Engineer Intern information

See Tucson, AZ salary details

$12

$24

$36

How much do optical engineer intern jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical engineer intern in Tucson, AZ is $24.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.57 and $27.26 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 Tucson, AZ?

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Tucson, AZ are:

What cities near Tucson, AZ are hiring for Optical Engineer Intern jobs?

Cities near Tucson, AZ with the most Optical Engineer Intern job openings:

Infographic showing various Optical Engineer Intern job openings in Tucson, AZ as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,984 per year, or $24 per hour.

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)
Public Administration • 10K+ employees

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 538 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

27th of 49 rated military and defense

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Recommended by students


$91K/yr

Full-time

Posted 26 days ago


Job description

This is a public notice flyer to notify interested applicants of anticipated vacancies through the STRL Mission Support Direct Hire Authority. 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:Your resume must also demonstrate at least one year of specialized experience at or equivalent to the GS 9-11 grade level or DP-03 pay band in the Federal service or equivalent experience in the private or public sector. Specialized experience must demonstrate the following:
1) Ability to formulate opinions and conclusions, as well as the ability to perform as both a group participant and a project leader;
2) Project management skills and abilities to understand, formulate, and communicate overall project objectives while negotiating with working level and management personnel within organization;
3) Ability to identify and work with the necessary engineering and logistics resources to accomplish satisfying mission objectives;
4) Ability to review, interpret, and make technical recommendations on documentation regarding missile designs, test equipment, and maintenance processing facilities;
5) Knowledge of contracts, and policies to support missile procurements.
Additional qualification information can be found from the following Office of Personnel Management website
all-professional-engineering-positions-0800.pdf
General Engineering Series 0801
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 basic education 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.orgOREvidence 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.Employment Type: OTHER


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