About the role#
This internship with the Cutting Edge Optronics team offers a hands-on opportunity to contribute to the development, characterization, and optimization of semiconductor wafer processes. You will work directly with engineers, technicians, and operators in a production cleanroom environment to manufacture laser diode devices. This is a full-time, 10-week summer position based in Saint Charles, Missouri.
What you'll do#
- Support engineers with wafer processing development and improvement activities.
- Assist with the fabrication and evaluation of semiconductor laser diode devices.
- Lead experiments to evaluate and improve process parameters.
- Support process characterization, yield analysis, and root-cause investigations.
- Help optimize specific processing steps including lithography, etch, deposition, metallization, passivation, cleaving, and optical coating.
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve process issues.
- Present your project findings and recommendations to the engineering team.
What you'll need#
- Enrollment as a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in a STEM degree program, with plans to be enrolled in Fall 2026.
- Coursework or project experience in areas such as semiconductor devices, microelectronics, photonics, materials science, thin films, vacuum systems, or manufacturing processes.
- Exposure to semiconductor wafer processing or cleanroom operations.
- Experience with laboratory equipment, such as microscopes, profilometers, or electrical test equipment.
- Ability to work effectively in a hands-on laboratory or manufacturing environment.
- U.S. citizenship is required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Government security clearance.
- Availability to work 40 hours per week for at least 10 weeks during summer 2026.
- Preferred: Familiarity with laser diodes, data-analysis software like Python or MATLAB, statistical analysis, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Location & details#
- Location: Saint Charles, Missouri.
- Term: Summer 2027.
- Work Modality: On-site.
- Employment Type: Full-time.
About Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman is a defense and space manufacturing company founded in 1994. It operates globally and maintains a workforce of over 86,000 employees. The company focuses on areas including autonomous systems, cyber security, space, and logistics. Its headquarters are located in Falls Church, Virginia.
How to get in at Northrop Grumman
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