Optical System Test Engineer Intern
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 5, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 3, 2026. Koch Industries scores A on the Alion truth index.
Your Job
As an Optical System Test Engineer Intern, you'll be involved in systems testing and lab management for our cutting-edge DWDM optical network. You'll work with external technical experts and collaborate with internal cross-functional teams including R&D team to conduct various lab testing and supports for internal and external customers.Youwill work under the guidance of senior engineers and managers and collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams.
What You Will Do
- Build and maintain the lab infrastructure for the optical systems
- Develop and maintain Python-based automation scripts, tools, and frameworks to analyze, monitor, and troubleshoot network systems.
- Execute the system-level test plans, ensuring robustness and compliance with specifications
- Develop operational improvements in change management, workflows, and day-to-day processes.
- Document and share best practices, troubleshooting guides, and lessons learned to improve test plan execution and overall process
Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)
- Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s, Master’s, or Ph.D. degree in Computer Science, Engineering, ECE, or a related technical discipline
- Strong programming skills in Python
- Basic understanding of AI tools and AI agents, and data analysis, statistical concepts
- Ability to work with experimental data and draw meaningful conclusions
- Write and execute test plans, automation frameworks, and validation procedures
What Will Put You Ahead
- Graduate student (Master or Ph.D.) preferred
- Strong understanding of optical link budgets, signal integrity, and performance optimization in high-speed networks
- Interest in optical systems, or hardware-related applications
- 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. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.
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
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
Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. 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. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.
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 Opportunities
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. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aquí, or tu).