Optical Engineer Intern

Flint Hills Resources; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 50,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Molex in Fremont, CA seeks an Optical Engineer Intern to support the development and improvement of optical processes for alignment, assembly, integration, calibration, and testing of optical switching systems. You will work under senior engineers and collaborate with cross-functional teams on real-world optical products.

The role emphasizes hands-on experience with optics and photonics, DOE, data analysis in Python, and documentation of results in line with internal practices.

Qualifications

• Pursuing a Master’s degree in optics, photonics, physics, and electrical engineering with optical orientations.
• Solid understanding of optics and photonics principles.
• Familiar with fiber optics, optical components, and optical modules.
• Familiar with Design of Experiments (DOE) and experimental data analysis.
• Strong analytical thinking, curiosity, and problem-solving skills.
• Self-motivated, proactive, and enthusiastic about contributing in a collaborative R&D environment.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to development, validation, and improvement of optical alignment, assembly, integration, calibration, and testing processes.
• Design and conduct optical DOE to verify performance and optimize processes.
• Support optical system characterization and troubleshooting using lab equipment.
• Analyze experimental data and perform root cause analysis and failure mode investigations.
• Document methods, analyses, results, and conclusions per internal practices.

Skills

Optics knowledge

DOE

Data analysis

Python

Written and verbal communication

Bilingual (Mandarin)

Education

Master’s degree in optics/photonics/physics/EE with optical orientations

PhD (advantage) in optics/physics/related discipline

Tools

Python

Job description

We are seeking a highly motivated Optical Engineer Intern to support the development and improvement of optical processes for the alignment, assembly, integration, calibration and testing of optical switching system in Fremont, CA.

This internship provides hands‑on experience applying optical knowledge to real-world optical products and engineering challenges. The intern will work under the guidance of engineers and managers and collaborate with multi-disciplinary engineering teams.

What You Will Do

• Under the guidance of engineers and managers, contribute to the development, validation, and continuous improvement of optical system alignment, assembly, integration, calibration and testing processes
• Design and conduct optical DOE to support optical performance verification, process optimization, and troubleshooting
• Support optical system characterization and troubleshooting using laboratory test equipment.
• Analyze experimental data and perform root cause analysis and failure mode
• Document experimental methods, analysis, results, and conclusions following internal engineering practices

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Currently pursuing a Master’s degree in optics, photonics, physics, and electrical engineering with optical orientations
• Solid understanding of optics and photonics principles
• Familiar with fiber optics, optical components, and optical modules
• Familiar with Design of Experiments (DOE) and experimental data analysis
• Strong analytical thinking, curiosity, and problem-solving skills
• Self‑motivated, proactive, and enthusiastic about contributing in a collaborative R&D environment

What Will Put You Ahead

• Currently pursuing a Ph.D. degree in optics, physics or related technical discipline
• Experience with fiber‑optic components, system, and testing setups
• Experience with optical alignment station and optical testing instruments
• Strong programming and data‑analysis skills using Python
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Bilingual with Mandarin

For this role, we anticipate paying $36 - $40 per hour. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

As a Koch company, Molex is a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect components, driving innovation in electronics and supporting industries from automotive to health care and consumer to data communications. The thousands of innovators who work for Molex have made us a global electronics leader. Our experienced people, groundbreaking products and leading‑edge technologies help us deliver a wider array of solutions to more markets than ever before.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify.