Optical Engineer Intern (McKinney, TX) - Summer 2027

Are you ready to explore aerospace and defense? RTX offers internships, co-ops and full-time careers that help you work on complex problems, build your skills and help create a safer, more connected world.

The Airborne & Ground Optics Department at Raytheon supports customer missions with advanced Electro-Optical / Infrared (EO/IR) and laser products and solutions. The group supports Raytheon programs through every phase of the product lifecycle, from initial concept through design, development, integration, production and sell-off.

This technical internship lets you apply classroom and lab knowledge in optics and lasers while helping a team of engineers solve difficult technical problems. Projects include advanced imaging telescopes, spectrometers, lasers, ladars and special test equipment.

This is an onsite position at the McKinney, TX location.

What You Will Do

• Assist junior and senior engineers with optical design tasks
• Work in a cleanroom and learn hands-on laser and optical alignment techniques
• Help prepare lab and cleanroom spaces for building and testing laser or optical systems
• Learn the setup and operation of specialized optical test equipment and help analyze test data
• Take part in lab safety activities, such as preparing safety documentation and presentations for new build and test startups
• Prepare and present on the project(s) you worked on

Preferred Experience

• Laboratory experience through university coursework, research or previous internships, including data and error analysis
• Experience working with lasers
• Undergraduate-level understanding of optics, lasers, electromagnetic propagation and the interaction of light with materials
• Demonstrated leadership through school or extracurricular projects

RTX values Trust, Respect, Accountability, Collaboration and Innovation. Relocation eligibility applies to this role.

Candidates may be asked to attend select interview steps in person at an RTX office, regardless of whether the role is onsite, hybrid or remote.