Electro-Optics Systems Engineer Intern (Summer 2027)

RTX (Raytheon); El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

RTX is seeking an Electro-Optical Systems Engineer Intern in El Segundo, CA, to support the Advanced Products & Solutions Mission Area. You will help design and build EO systems, including imagers and LIDAR, and contribute to requirement development and IV&V planning.

The role requires pursuing a STEM degree, a minimum of 30 credit hours, and the ability to obtain a security clearance. On-site work with potential benefits and DCSA considerations are noted.

Qualifications

• Pursuing Bachelor's or Advanced degree in STEM and enrolled through internship.
• Minimum of 30 credit hours by the start of the internship/co-op session.
• Experience with electro-optical infrared imagery, focal plane technology, lenses, or apertures.
• Experience with optical principles including geometrical optics, physical optics, imaging systems, aberrations, or detectors.
• Hands‑on experience through coursework or lab work with optical testing or alignment.
• Experience may be obtained through job experience, research, coursework, or projects.

Responsibilities

• Support development of advanced electro-optical systems including imagers, EO tracking, LIDAR, and directed energy systems.
• Assess mission/system requirements and derive design/performance requirements for subsystems.
• Assist in verification & validation activities and IV&V planning.
• EOS System Architects and IPT Leaders collaborate on system design and architectures.

Skills

Optical testing

Fundamental optical principles

Geometrical optics

Physical optics

IR imaging experience

Education

Bachelor's/Advanced STEM degree (pursuing)

Minimum 30 credit hours by start

Tools

MATLAB

Python

C++

Job description

Date Posted

2026-10-14

Country

United States of America

Location

US-CA-EL SEGUNDO-E01 ~ 2000 E El Segundo Blvd ~ BLDG E01

Position Role Type

Onsite

U.S. Citizen, U.S. Person, or Immigration Status Requirements

U.S. citizenship is required, as only U.S. citizens are authorized to access information under this program/contract.

Security Clearance Type

None/Not Required

Security Clearance Status

Not Required

Are you ready to explore the world of aerospace and defense? Do you want to learn from and collaborate with some of the greatest minds in the industry? At RTX, our internships, co-ops and full-time careers provide an exceptional foundation to work on complex problems, advance your skills and create a safer, more connected world. Discover opportunities to make a difference at RTX.

What You Will Do

The Electro-Optical System Design Department is currently in need for an Electro Optical Systems Engineer Intern to support the Advanced Products & Solutions Mission Area in the development and building of advanced electro-optical systems. The systems engineer intern will be part of a design team building electro-optical systems including imagers, passive/active EO tracking, LIDAR, and directed energy systems. The systems engineer intern will be contributing to assessing systems architecture, developing requirements for these systems, and supporting the design and build efforts. It will involve being able to assess mission/system requirements and derive design and performance requirements for subsystem and unit levels. The role also involves understanding verification and test activities to assist in the creation of a proper IV&V plan meeting the requirements of the program.

The EOSD Department supports Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) by providing systems engineering expertise in the Electro-Optical Systems (EOS) domain. Typical roles within the department involve:

• EOS System Architects and System Design Engineers
• Integrated Product Team Leadership, Lead Systems Engineers, Chief Engineers
• Requirements Engineers
• EO Systems Analysts

Qualifications You Must Have

• Must be pursuing Bachelor's or Advanced degree in Physics, Optical, Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (STEM) and actively enrolled through the completion of the internship/co-op session.
• Must have a minimum of 30 hours of credit by the start of the internship / co-op session.
• Experience with electro-optical infrared imagery, focal plane technology, lenses, or apertures
• Experience with fundamental optical principles including geometrical optics, physical optics, imaging systems, aberrations, or detectors
• Hands‑on experience through coursework or lab work with optical testing or alignment
• Experience may be obtained through job experience, research, coursework, or projects

Qualifications We Prefer

• Internship or project experience related to opto-mechanical engineering, photonics, infrared physics, or optical systems
• Experience with programming using C++ or Python
• Experience or coursework in signal processing, image processing, tracking, computer vision, or machine learning
• Knowledge of systems engineering architecture and design, integration and test, and verification and validation approaches
• Experience using MATLAB for data analysis and strong analytical and problem‑solving skills

What We Offer

Our values drive our actions, behaviors, and performance with a vision for a safer, more connected world. At RTX we value: Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, and Innovation.

As part of our commitment to maintaining a secure hiring process, candidates may be asked to attend select steps of the interview process in-person at one of our office locations, regardless of whether the role is designated as on-site, hybrid or remote.

This position requires ability to obtain a security clearance. DCSA Consolidated Adjudication Services (DCSA CAS), an agency of the Department of Defense, handles and adjudicates the security clearance process. More information about Security Clearances can be found on the US Department of State government website here: Security Clearance FAQs - United States Department of State

The salary range for this role is 42,000 USD - 88,000 USD. The salary range provided is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels. RTX considers several factors when extending an offer, including but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, a candidate's work experience, location, education/training, and key skills.

Hired applicants may be eligible for benefits, including but not limited to, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term