Optical Component Evaluation Engineering Intern

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Optical Component Evaluation Engineering Intern (Summer 2026)

Overview

Join the Optical Component Evaluation Engineering team at Lumentum, where you will help characterize and evaluate next-generation optical components used in high-speed DataCom optical modules (e.g., 800G / 1.6T platforms).

This internship focuses on evaluating Silicon Photonic PICs and discrete optical components such as lasers and photodiodes (PDs), and correlating component-level performance with system-level optical module performance. You will work closely with optical, hardware, and integration engineering teams to understand how device characteristics impact overall module metrics such as TDECQ, BER, OMA, and power budget.

This role provides hands-on exposure to optical testing, data analysis, and performance correlation methodologies critical to advanced optical module development.

Responsibilities

As an Optical Component Evaluation Engineering Intern, you will:

• Perform characterization and evaluation of Silicon photonic PICs, lasers, photodiodes, and other optical components.
• Conduct optical and electrical measurements using laboratory equipment (e.g., optical power meters, oscilloscopes, BERTs, spectrum analyzers).
• Analyze component-level performance parameters such as insertion loss, extinction ratio, responsivity, bandwidth, and noise characteristics.
• Correlate component-level metrics with optical module-level performance indicators including TDECQ, BER, OMA, and receiver sensitivity.
• Support root cause analysis when module-level performance does not meet expectations.
• Develop Python-based scripts to automate data collection, processing, and visualization.
• Organize and structure evaluation data to support cross-team design reviews and decision-making.
• Document test methodologies and present evaluation results to engineering teams.

Location

This internship will be on-site in San Jose, California.

Minimum Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree program in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.

Desired Qualifications

• Understanding of optical communication fundamentals, including lasers, photodiodes, modulators, and silicon photonics.
• Familiarity with optical test equipment and laboratory measurement techniques.
• Experience with Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for data analysis and automation.
• Ability to analyze multi-parameter datasets and identify performance trends.
• Basic knowledge of PAM4 signaling, eye diagrams, BER, TDECQ, and OMA is a plus.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills and ability to work in cross-functional engineering teams.
• Detail-oriented mindset with interest in optical device characterization and system integration.

Pay Range: $23.75 - 54.30/hour USD

Additional Information

All offers of employment are contingent upon background checks and, where applicable, work authorization. Drug screenings may also be required in certain jurisdictions.

Lumentum is an equal opportunity workplace and affirmative action employer. Our commitment to inclusion spans all dimensions of diversity, including race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, and disability.

Pay Range:

Disclaimer:

Final base salary for the successful candidate will depend on multiple factors, including but not limited to, job location, where work will be performed, qualifications, work history and relevant experience. With our continual goal of making Lumentum a best place to work for our employees, we strive to offer employees competitive total compensation packages, which may include annual bonus, commission for certain sales roles, equity, and health and welfare benefits.