Engineering Intern (Senior)

Optical / Photonics / Vision Systems Engineering Intern (Senior)

Low Light Innovations | East Greenwich, RI | In person, with hybrid flexibility

About Low Light Innovations
Low Light Innovations (LLI) designs and builds precision night vision systems in East Greenwich, Rhode Island. Since 2020 we have grown from 3D-printed prototypes into a USA-made manufacturer whose systems are used by law enforcement agencies nationwide, including federal agencies, along with allied militaries. We are a small team, so our interns work directly with the founders and engineers on real hardware.

The Challenge
Night vision has been an analog technology for decades. We want to change that. Your project is to capture the live image from an analog image intensifier tube and turn it into a clean, real-time digital video feed.

This is not a narrow assignment. You will own the problem end to end, from the light leaving the tube to the image on a screen. We are looking for a senior in Optical Engineering, Photonics, or Vision Systems / Computer Engineering who reads this and thinks, “I can figure this out.” You do not need to be an expert in every area below. You need a strong foundation in one, the curiosity to learn the others, and the drive to build something that works. You will have the leading engineers to help you on this project as well, but your problem solving skills will be the catalyst to a product being developed. 

To Apply
Submit your resume and a few sentences on how you would approach digitizing an analog intensified image. There is no wrong answer. We want to see how you think. please submit anything to i.depalo@lowlightinnovations.com to expedite your application. 

What You Will Do

• Design the optical path that carries the image from the tube’s output screen to a digital image sensor, including relay optics, lens selection, and alignment
• Evaluate how light is emitted, transmitted, and detected through the system, and minimize losses in brightness, resolution, and contrast
• Select and integrate an image sensor and capture hardware suited to low-light, phosphor-screen imaging
• Build the image pipeline: capture, noise reduction, contrast enhancement, and real-time display
• Measure and characterize system performance, including resolution, MTF, latency, frame rate, and dynamic range
• Prototype on embedded platforms (such as NVIDIA Jetson, Raspberry Pi, or FPGA-based boards)
• Work with our mechanical team on compact, rugged mounting and packaging
• Document your design decisions, test results, and recommendations for the next prototype

• There are plenty of benefits working with LLI. Such as, paid travel, co-authorship, a broad network for you to learn from, constant flow of R&D projects and more. 

Who We Are Looking For
A senior pursuing a BS in one of the following:

• Optical Engineering or Optics, with coursework in geometrical optics, lens design, or imaging systems
• Photonics or Engineering Physics, with coursework in light sources, detectors, or electro-optics
• Electrical, Computer, or Vision Systems Engineering, with coursework or projects in image processing, computer vision, or embedded systems

You should also have:

• Hands-on lab or project experience building and testing physical systems
• Comfort with at least one of: Zemax/OpticStudio or Code V, Python or C++, OpenCV, or MATLAB
• The ability to work through open-ended problems with limited supervision
• A willingness to learn outside your discipline when the problem calls for it

Nice to Have

• Experience with low-light imaging, image intensifiers, or electro-optical systems
• Experience with CMOS sensors, MIPI CSI, or video interfaces
• Embedded Linux, GStreamer, or FPGA experience
• CAD experience (SolidWorks, Fusion 360, or similar)
• A personal project you are proud of. Tell us about it.

Schedule and Location
This internship is primarily in person at our East Greenwich, RI facility, because the work requires hands-on time with hardware. We understand class schedules and offer hybrid flexibility for documentation, analysis, and software work. Expect a range of hours per week during the semester that will work around your school schedule.

Compensation: between $25-$35 per hour

Eligibility
This position involves technology subject to U.S. export control regulations (ITAR/EAR). Applicants must be U.S. persons (U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, or protected individuals as defined under 22 CFR 120.62).

Why LLI

• Own a real engineering problem from concept to working prototype
• Work directly with company founders and senior engineers
• Gain experience in defense and public safety electro-optics that few students get before graduating
• Strong performers may be considered for full-time roles

To Apply
Submit your resume and a few sentences on how you would approach digitizing an analog intensified image. There is no wrong answer. We want to see how you think. please submit anything to i.depalo@lowlightinnovations.com to expedite your application.