Optics Intern

Location: Ashburn HQ Department: Optical Systems Employment Type: FullTime Location Type: On-site

About Overview Energy Overview Energy is a mission-driven team committed to building a new layer of energy infrastructure: satellites in geosynchronous orbit that redirect solar energy to terrestrial solar projects via passively safe near-infrared light. We're in the earliest phase, where the ground beacon our satellites will point to is aligned, characterized, and field-corrected end-to-end by a small, dedicated team. Headquartered in the Northern Virginia / Washington, DC area and backed by world-class investors, we are advancing the next generation of clean energy technology.

About the Role We're looking for an Optics Intern to help with the design and building of our ground beacon from the optical bench to a field test site. The beacon is the pointing reference the satellite system will depend on. If it isn't aligned and characterized correctly, nothing downstream works.

You'll work hands-on with the emitter and the observational telescope: aligning the laser, characterizing its output, and co-aligning the beacon with the telescope. Then you'll own a problem we haven't solved yet. Once the system is transported to the test site, alignment may shift. You'll design the procedure that brings it back.

This internship supports our program under a Department of War (DoW) energy investment program. You'll work alongside our optics and hardware engineers, and your alignment data will feed directly into hardware decisions we make.

What You'll Do

Align the beacon laser within its emitter and verify pointing outside the emitter aperture

Characterize laser output - power, beam profile, divergence, and pointing stability - and document the results

Co-align the beacon laser with the observational telescope and verify boresight

Design a repeatable field alignment procedure that corrects misalignment introduced during transport and installation at the DoW site

Write that procedure so a non-optics operator can execute it, then validate it hands-on before delivery

Maintain clean alignment and characterization records, and feed findings back to the engineering team

What We're Looking For From You

Currently enrolled in a bachelor's or master's program in optics, optical engineering, physics, or a closely related field

Coursework or lab experience with optical alignment: mounts, mirrors, lenses, and beam paths

Willingness to complete laser safety training and follow protocol without exception

Careful documentation habits - alignment work is only useful if it's repeatable by someone else

Able to commit approximately 10 hours per week from September 2026 through March 2027, on-site in Northern Virginia

We Have a Strong Preference For

Hands-on use of beam profilers, power meters, autocollimators, or shear plates

Telescope operation or astronomical instrumentation experience

Zemax OpticStudio, Quadoa, Code V, or comparable optical design and analysis software

Experience writing test or alignment procedures that other people have actually followed

Demonstrated interest in defense, space, or energy applications

Internship Details This is a paid, part-time internship running September 2026 through March 2027 at approximately 10 hours per week, based on-site at our Northern Virginia headquarters. Hourly rate: $30-$40.

You'll be mentored directly by the engineers running the program, and your work is a funded DoW deliverable, not a side project. Interns are not eligible for the full-time benefits package.

ITAR Requirements This position is subject to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). Candidates must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.

Equal Opportunity Employer Overview Energy is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, ethnicity, veteran status, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or any other legally protected status.

If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact us at [email protected].

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented groups often only apply for roles where they meet every listed qualification. If you believe you can succeed in this role, we encourage you to apply - even if you don't check every box.