Optical Engineer Intern - Summer 2026

Come start your career with some of the brightest and most innovative minds in the country. Get your hands on actual projects, and at the same time, prepare for a truly awesome career in aerospace and defense. This is not your parent’s internship program – you won’t be getting coffee and ordering lunch. Our Interns have the unique experience of getting both mentoring and coaching while working side by side with recognized industry experts on real-world assignments directly related to their field of study. Bring your knowledge and desire to learn, and we will provide the experience. Summer internships are typically 10-12 weeks starting in late May / early June and work an average of 40 hours a week. Depending on satisfactory completion of certain criteria during your internship, you may be considered for a full-time position upon graduation. As a Technical Intern, you'll ask questions, get involved, bring your ideas, be part of an actual project team, attend planning meetings, complete assignments as tasked by your team, absorb and learn from your team and apply that learning to projects assigned. You'll have the opportunity to learn fundamental business processes and procedures, build your technical foundation through practice and mentorship, and participate in an in-depth program built by our University Recruiting team, that includes cross-functional workshops and meeting with leadership to gain understanding of the business and SNC culture.The ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance), Aviation, and Security (IAS) business area is a leader in ISR and aviation, it is a leading prime manned and unmanned aircraft systems integrator for innovative, high-performance ISR and aviation systems. Its end-to-end Command, Control, Computers, Communications and Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance (C4ISR) capabilities encompass design, integration, test, certification, ground / flight training and complete logistics support. IAS tailors solutions to customer cost, performance, and schedule requirements and designs to consistently exceed expectations – with an unrivaled record of on time and on (or under) budget deliveries.

Responsibilities

• Perform Optical and Thermal Emissions Analysis
• Plan and execute optical lab testing
• Develop data analysis scripts
• Create presentation materials for internal / external stakeholders

Qualifications You Must Have :

Qualifications We Prefer :

This posting will be open for application for a minimum of 5 days and may be extended based on business needs.

Estimated Starting Salary Range : $18.13 - $31.72. Compensation varies depending on a wide array of factors, such as candidates' key skills, relevant work experience, and education / training / certifications. The disclosed range estimate may be adjusted for any applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.

SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150% match up to 6%, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and .

IMPORTANT NOTICE :

This position requires the ability to obtain and maintain a Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.

SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!

SNC is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to an environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made based on merit without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law.