Software Development Engineer Intern Jobs in Ithaca, NY

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

1. Project Management and Execution

• Support project planning, scheduling, tracking, and execution for micro-channeling and laser machining projects involving liquid cold plates, printed circuit boards, and heat exchanger plates.
• Coordinate project deliverables, milestones, open actions, risks, and issue resolution with engineering, manufacturing, quality, supply chain, sales, and customer-facing teams.
• Assist with defining project scope, technical requirements, resource needs, timelines, and priorities to support successful project completion.
• Maintain clear project status updates and communicate progress, constraints, and next steps to the Director of Projects and other stakeholders.
• Produce detailed project plans, Gantt charts, roadmaps, and action registers.

2. Technical Coordination and Manufacturing Support

• Support engineering and manufacturing activities related to micro-channeling, laser machining, bonding, inspection, and production readiness of advanced thermal management components.
• Review drawings, specifications, process requirements, and customer documentation to help ensure project requirements are understood and properly communicated.
• Assist with manufacturing trials, prototype builds, process development activities, and production launch support as directed.
• Work with technical teams to identify process issues, document observations, support root cause analysis, and assist in implementing corrective actions.

3. Documentation, Reporting, and Data Management

• Prepare and maintain project documentation including action item lists, schedules, meeting notes, technical summaries, project status reports, and change tracking records.
• Collect, organize, and analyze project data related to schedule performance, process capability, quality results, cost drivers, and manufacturing readiness.
• Support the creation of engineering reports, customer updates, internal presentations, and lessons learned documentation.
• Ensure project information is accurate, current, and available to stakeholders to support timely decision-making.

4. Cross-Functional Communication and Customer Support

• Serve as a project coordination point between engineering, operations, quality, supply chain, product management, sales, and customer-facing teams.
• Participate in project meetings, technical reviews, production readiness reviews, and customer update discussions as required.
• Communicate technical and project information clearly, professionally, and in a manner appropriate for both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Escalate project risks, delays, resource constraints, and technical concerns promptly to the Director of Projects.

5. Continuous Improvement and Professional Development

• Support continuous improvement efforts related to project execution, manufacturing flow, documentation control, quality performance, and communication effectiveness.
• Develop working knowledge of company products, thermal management applications, micro-channeling processes, laser machining methods, and customer requirements.
• Build project management skills including planning, risk management, stakeholder communication, meeting facilitation, and follow-up discipline.
• Complete special assignments and development activities as required to support project needs and individual growth within the engineering organization.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required; Mechanical Engineering preferred.
• Entry-level role with 0-5 years of relevant engineering, project coordination, manufacturing, internship, co-op, or technical experience.
• Interested in engineering project management, technical manufacturing, thermal management products, micro-channeling, laser machining, and advanced engineered materials.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, technical requirements, and basic manufacturing documentation.

Skills

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage action items, schedules, documentation, and multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Good analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail and a willingness to learn technical processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools including MS Project, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, and Teams; familiarity with project management tools or ERP systems is a plus.
• Strong written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills with the ability to communicate effectively across functions.
• Self-motivated, accountable, collaborative, and eager to grow within a technical project management and engineering environment.

Working Conditions

• Office, engineering, laboratory, and manufacturing environment within a technical production setting.
• Regular use of a computer, keyboard, engineering documentation, project tracking tools, and standard office software.
• Ability to spend time on the manufacturing floor and follow all required safety procedures, including use of required personal protective equipment.
• Limited travel may be required to support customer meetings, supplier activities, or project execution needs.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to access office, laboratory, and manufacturing areas as needed to support project activities, with or without reasonable accommodation.

• Ability to occasionally lift, carry, or move lightweight materials, documents, tools, or components consistent with a technical office and manufacturing support environment.

All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust

Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome

Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone

Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.