Intern, Laser Application Engineer

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated, hands on, fast learning contributor to join our Laser Applications team for Summer of 2026.

In this role you will gain hand-on experience in the use of lasers for materials processing applications, learn where and how lasers enable a wide range of products and functions you use every day and interact with industry professionals and real-world end user customers who implement lasers in a wide range of manufacturing applications.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities


* Investigation of laser-material interactions to understand and develop process parameters to achieve various types of laser-based manufacturing


* Setting up laser materials processing stations or changing and re-aligning optics in existing stations


* Programming motion stages and laser scanners as well as laser output parameters to set up applications trials


* Design of Experiment to explore complex multi-variable processing parameter spaces


* Analysis of results by microscopy, mechanical and electrical testing


* Documenting experiments completed and organizing learnings to present to a broader team


* Interactions with customers and coworkers to discuss application results

Education & Experience


* Education Level Required: Bachelor's / Master's / PhD Candidate


* Majors: Optics and Photonics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Engineering/Applied Physics, Chemistry or similar relevant fields


* Relevant coursework or extracurricular experience in lasers and optics is a plus.


* Open to currently enrolled students or those who have graduated within one year of the internship start date.

Skills & Other Requirements


* Excellent written and verbal communication.


* Team-oriented but able to work independently when needed.


* Adaptable and eager to learn in a fast-paced environment.


* Attention to detail and time management.


* Imaginative & open - can come up with and consider new or unique solutions and approaches to problems; open to considering and trying other's new or unique ideas or solutions.


* Working knowledge of tooling, fixturing, mechanical alignment, mechanical design software and mechanical machining techniques is a plus


* Experience operating lasers, especially with galvanometer scanners for materials processing is a plus


* Experience in light material interactions, glass science or glass chemistry is a plus


* Experience designing and aligning optics and optical beam paths is a plus

Additional Information


* Internship Duration: 10 - 14 weeks.


* At Coherent, interns are valued members of our team and have the opportunity to make meaningful contributions from day one.

In addition to hands-on project experience, our internship program includes opportunities to connect with fellow interns and colleagues across the organization through virtual and in-person networking events, team-buil...