Internship – Characterization and Optimization of an Optical System for a Ground-to-Ground Link

Cailabs; Rennes; On-site; EUR 10,000 - 15,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Meal vouchers

35 hours per week

Job summary

Cailabs is seeking an engineering-focused intern to join its optical R&D team in Rennes.

You will work under experienced engineers to characterize and improve acquisition, pointing and tracking (PAT) systems, and analyze the transmit/receive optical chains using simulations and experimental tests.

Qualifications

• Engineering/programming background with optics focus.
• Strong grounding in geometrical optics and laser optics.
• Python programming preferred for simulations and data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experimental characterization and improve PAT systems.
• Analyze and optimize transmit/receive optical chains.
• Perform Zemax or similar simulations to assess design and performance.
• Contribute to turbulence impact assessment and previous test campaigns.

Skills

Geometrical optics

Laser optics

Rigour

Autonomy

Motivation

Education

Engineering school or research Master\'s degree (optics, physics, applied mathematics)

Tools

Python

Job description

The company

Founded in 2013, Cailabs designs, manufactures, and develops innovative photonic solutions for the space, industry, telecommunications, and defense sectors. A global specialist in laser shaping, the company has accelerated its growth in the space field with turnkey optical ground stations that integrate atmospheric turbulence compensation technology. This makes it one of the first companies to harness very high data rates enabled by optics in a commercial ground station.

Cailabs currently has more than 200 employees, including 41PhDs. With 29 patent families filed, the company is one of the most innovative companies in France. It is headquartered in Rennes, with offices in Paris and Washington (USA).

Post description

Free-space optical communication is a key challenge for future communication systems. The TILBA-LOS product enables point-to-point links with a data rate of 10 Gbps over distances greater than 10 km. It offers the advantage of being highly secure thanks to its highly directional beam, which is difficult to detect. By using optical frequencies, it eliminates the need for spectrum licences.

You will work within the technical team, under the supervision of an Optical R&D Engineer and an R&D Simulation Engineer.

The internship will focus on the experimental characterization and improvement of the current acquisition, pointing and tracking (PAT) systems, as well as on the analysis of the transmit and receive optical chains.

The experimental tests will be complemented by numerical simulations of the optical design (Zemax or another tool) in order to assess the system’s performance and identify potential areas for improvement or alternative design choices. Depending on the progress of the internship, the study may also include an assessment of the impact of atmospheric turbulence on system performance.

Part of the internship will also involve analysing the results of previous test campaigns, as well as any test campaigns carried out during the internship.

The internship start date is flexible, between February and June 2027, for a duration of 3 to 6 months.

Profile required

Key skills:

• Desired profile: Engineering school or research Master's degree (optics, physics, applied mathematics)
• Knowledge of classical geometrical optics
• Basic knowledge of laser optics

Additional assets:

• Knowledge of the Python programming language
• Rigour, motivation and autonomy

Work environment:

• Innovative, fast-growing company
• Young and dynamic team
• 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

By joining Cailabs, you will find:

• A dynamic team of engineers and PhDs who share your desire to apply their skills to stimulating technical challenges
• A collaborative environment and strong intellectual interest in your work
• A company at the forefront of technology, from prototype development through to industrialisation phases

And also:

• Opportunities to share convivial moments (annual seminar, meals, group games, sports activities, etc.)
• A modern and pleasant working environment that encourages collaborative work
• Meal vouchers

Finally, joining Cailabs means having the assurance that every effort will be made to support you in developing new skills.

More information: www.cailabs.com