Co-Op - Optical Sensor System - Spring 2026 (Internship)

Introduction to the job

ASML US brings together the most creative minds in science and technology to develop lithography machines that are key to producing faster, cheaper, more energy-efficient microchips. We design, develop, integrate, market and service these advanced machines, which enable our customers - the world's leading chipmakers - to reduce the size and increase the functionality of their microchips, which in turn leads to smaller, more powerful consumer electronics. Our headquarters are in Veldhoven, the Netherlands, and we have 18 office locations around the United States including main offices in Chandler, Arizona, San Jose and San Diego, California, Wilton, Connecticut, and Hillsboro, Oregon.

Roles and responsibilities

ASML's Wafer Alignment Sensor department in Wilton CT is seeking a Physicist / Optical Engineer for a co-op position to support & develop complex optical / photonic sensor systems used within ASML's photolithography tools. These systems typically include light sources, detectors, optical / electro-optical components, fiber optics, electronics and signal processing SW functioning in close collaboration with the rest of the lithography system. Understanding the components in their relation to the sensor system and understanding the interaction with the rest of the tool is of fundamental importance.

Key component of this position are :

General : Using general Physics, Optics, and Software knowledge and an understanding of the sensor systems and tools to de-bug functionality or performance issues in the optical alignment sensors in lithography machines. Having hands-on skills of building optical system such as imaging, testing, alignment or detector system.

Experience on designing integrated photonic devices including free-space to on-chip couplers, waveguides, wavelength multiplexing and de-multiplexing.

Leadership : the candidate must have the potential to lead executing activities for determining problem root cause, execute complex tests, gather data, and effectively communicate results on different levels of abstraction (from technical colleagues to high level managers).

Problem Solving : the candidate should be interested in troubleshooting complex technical problems, develop / debug data signal processing algorithms; develop and execute test plans in order to determine problem root cause.

Communications / Teamwork : Good communication skills during brainstorm / troubleshooting sessions; Good listening skills. Good analytical skills. Draw your own conclusions, based on the input from different stakeholders. Capability to clearly communicate the information on different level of abstraction.

Programming : The candidate must possess the ability to implement data analysis techniques into functioning MATLAB codes. Optimization skills, GUI building experience, and familiarly with Labview and Python are a plus.

Education and experience

Minimum : Candidate should be a Master / PhD student in Physics, Optics, or other related engineering disciplines.

Candidate must :

Be able to break down complex problems with limited data to come to solutions - strong critical thinking capability.

Have strong written and oral communication skills and a commitment to achieving results while under time constraints; High energy, high level of dedication.

Be willing to jump in on new issues, get to the bottom of the causes and propose practical solutions.

Be able to interface with multidisciplinary groups and work effectively in a team and be willing to take on responsibility, follow through and keep multiple simultaneous assignments on schedule.

Be able to quickly acquire technical knowledge from documentation and on-the-job training and be capable of thoroughly investigating technical issues (analytically and through experiments).

Preferred :

Hands-on experience with microscopy and / or tabletop setups

Data processing skills with MATLAB, and Python

Knowledge of bright and dark-field microscopy, and Fourier-optics, interferometry, and wave-optics

Skills

Working at the cutting edge of tech, you'll always have new challenges and new problems to solve - and working together is the only way to do that. You won't work in a silo. Instead, you'll be part of a creative, dynamic work environment where you'll collaborate with supportive colleagues. There is always space for creative and unique points of view. You'll have the flexibility and trust to choose how best to tackle tasks and solve problems.

To thrive in this job, you'll need the following skills :

Can observe and respond to people and situations and interact with others encountered in the course of work.

Can learn and apply new information or skills.

Must be able to read and interpret data, information, and documents.

Strong customer focus and commitment to customer satisfaction through prioritization, quality, efficiency and professionalism.

Ability to complete assignments with attention to detail and high degree of accuracy.

Proven ability to perform effectively in a demanding environment with changing workloads and deadlines.

Result driven-demonstrate ownership and accountability.

Identifies bottlenecks and drives improvements.

Work independently or as part of a team and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision.

Demonstrate open, clear, concise and professional communication.

Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with manager, co-workers and customer.

Work according to a strict set of procedures within the provided timelines.

Other Information

This position is located on-site in Wilton, CT. It requires onsite presence to attend in-person work-related events, trainings and meetings and to further ensure teamwork, collaboration and innovation. (Important to insert additional onsite language specific to the role : i.e., inspection, specific training and supervision, etc.)

Role within Office

Responsibilities :

Routinely required to sit; walk; talk; hear; use hands to keyboard, finger, handle, and feel; stoop, kneel, crouch, twist, reach, and stretch. Occasionally required to move around the campus.

Occasionally lift and / or move up to 20 pounds.

Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Additional Responsibilities (as needed in the cleanroom and / or labs) :

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Must be willing to work in a clean room environment, wearing coveralls, hoods, booties, safety glasses and gloves. Working under ISO 9000 / 14000 standards.

The environment in the cleanroom is moderate in temperature with moderate to high noise level.

Safely working around lasers; on ladders; on platforms; around chemicals; near strong magnetic fields; around high voltage and currents.

The employee is occasionally required to move around the campus.

Additional Responsibilities :

There is potential for exposure to strong magnetic fields, high voltage and currents.

This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R.

• 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

Inclusion and diversity

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.

Need to know more about applying for a job at ASML? Read our frequently asked questions .

Request an Accommodation

ASML provides reasonable accommodations to applicants for ASML employment and ASML employees with disabilities. An accommodation is a change in work rules, facilities, or conditions which enable an individual with a disability to apply for a job, perform the essential functions of a job, and / or enjoy equal access to the benefits and privileges of employment. If you are in need of an accommodation to complete an application, participate in an interview, or otherwise participate in the employee pre-selection process, please send an email to USHR_Accommodation@asml.com to initiate the company's reasonable accommodation process.

Please note : This email address is solely intended to provide a method for applicants to initiate ASML's process to request accommodation(s). Any recruitment questions should be directed to the designated Talent Acquisition member for the position.