Summer 2026
Optical Engineering Intern
Posted on 4/18/2026
Calix
1,001-5,000 employees
Cloud platforms and services for CSPs
Compensation Overview
$27.60 - $34.50/hr
Minneapolis, MN, USA
In Person
 Hardware Engineering (1) |
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- Rising Junior or Senior in four-year accredited college or university on track to earn a degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, or Physics
- Knowledge of optical communications concepts such as fiber optic signal propagation, laser signal transmitter operation, signal to noise ratio concepts
- Able to coordinate actions in a team-environment, delivering results in a fast-paced technology-driven organization
- Knowledge of embedded systems software, by command line communication, is required
- Knowledge of Internet Protocol is a must
- Presenting experimental results in the form of lab reporting is also necessary
- Able to work for the complete summer break (May - August or June - September)
- Perform fiber optic performance test cases on state-of-the-art fiber to the home broadband network, documenting results.
- Assist Calix Optical Engineers in automating test equipment and procedures.
- Build test systems in engineering development lab working directly with Calix Engineering Team
- Experience with test instrumentation desirable, including: Fiber Optic Power Meter measurement, Optical Spectrum Analysis, Bit Error Rate, Variable Optical Attenuation Bit Error Ratio, Variable Optical Fiber Link Length Bit Error Ratio. Optical Transceiver Extinction Ratio and Eye Diagram measurement
- Authoring and integrating Python code for test equipment remote control
- Programming experience with Python for scripting execution
Calix provides cloud and software platforms, systems, and services for broadband service providers. Its Calix Platform, including Revenue EDGE and Intelligent Access EDGE, lets CSPs manage networks, deliver managed services, and monetize subscriber experiences; Revenue EDGE focuses on differentiated services, while Intelligent Access EDGE simplifies network architecture and operations. The approach combines cloud software, edge networking, and services in a single platform to help CSPs run smarter networks and create new revenue streams. The goal is to help communication service providers simplify operations, innovate their offerings, and grow their business across operators of all sizes.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
IPO
Headquarters
Petaluma, California
Founded
1999
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Wi-Fi 7 upgrades create immediate ARPU expansion through managed premium connectivity offers.
- 50G-PON supports network modernization without rebuilds, preserving operator fiber investments.
- Completed Calix One migration enables higher attach rates for agentic workflows and services.
What critics are saying
- Memory cost inflation is compressing margins after advanced purchasing buffers ran out.
- The AWS-to-Google cloud migration can prolong dual-cloud costs and depress gross margin.
- Standards-based 50G-PON and Wi-Fi 7 invite faster commoditization from larger competitors.
What makes Calix unique
- Calix One unifies AI-native software, access hardware, and managed services for operators.
- The platform now spans Wi-Fi 7, XGS-PON, GPON, and 50G-PON.
- More than 1,200 service providers use Calix One across residential, business, municipal, and MDU markets.
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People at Calix who can refer or advise you
Benefits
Remote Work Options
Performance Bonus
Growth & Insights and Company News
6 month growth
↑ 1%1 year growth
↑ 1%2 year growth
↑ 2%The AI investment landscape is entering a second phase focused on infrastructure testing and validation, away from the chip-focused first phase dominated by Nvidia. This shift is creating opportunities in less visible sectors. Keysight Technologies reported record fiscal Q1 2026 results with revenue of $1.6 billion, up 23% year-over-year, and orders of $1.65 billion. For the first time, wireline revenue exceeded wireless revenue, driven by demand for 800G and 1.6T optical transceiver validation needed for AI data centres. The company's software and services now represent 40% of revenue, with recurring revenue at 29%. Management projects full-year fiscal 2026 revenue growth above 20%. Despite an 80% gain over 52 weeks and a 23% post-earnings surge, the stock trades roughly 10% below analyst consensus targets at approximately $290 per share.
Calix has announced that regional service providers Blue Stream Fiber, XMission and Aervivo are expanding use of its Calix One platform and SmartMDU managed Wi-Fi across multi-dwelling unit properties in multiple US states. The expansion includes new Wi-Fi 7 hardware and QR code self-activation. The company projects $1.3 billion revenue and $195.4 million earnings by 2028, requiring 13.4% yearly revenue growth. Approximately one-third of customers are already on the unified platform, with full transition expected by March 2026. The SmartMDU expansion supports Calix's shift from broadband hardware sales to a software and services platform. However, the key risk remains whether customers will adopt AI-driven workflows and pay higher per-subscriber fees, with cautious analysts projecting more modest growth through 2029.
Calix has launched Calix One, an AI-native platform designed to enable personalised experiences for service providers, marking a strategic shift towards software-led customer experience over hardware sales. The company is positioning itself to capture higher recurring revenue through AI-driven software and subscriber experience tools. The company has partnered with Google Cloud to support private-cloud deployments, addressing sovereign and enterprise requirements. This expansion removes adoption barriers for larger operators and government-sensitive deployments whilst broadening Calix's addressable market. Management expects Tier 1 opportunities to begin contributing in late 2026, with material impact in 2027. These software-only deals could drive margin expansion, though sales cycles run 18 to 24 months. Investors will watch for customer uptake evidence and competitive response to validate the platform shift.
Calix has raised $120 million in Series C funding at a $1.45 billion valuation, led by Ribbit Capital with participation from Sequoia, Kleiner Perkins and new backer Emerson Collective. The pre-revenue AI startup, co-founded by Robinhood CEO Vlad Tenev, has now raised $295 million across three rounds in 14 months. The company is developing "Mathematical Superintelligence", eliminating AI hallucinations by requiring outputs in verifiable Lean4 programming code. Its Aristotle model achieved top performance at the International Mathematical Olympiad in July alongside Google and OpenAI. Harmonic currently offers Aristotle via free API to mathematicians and researchers, with plans to commercialise in safety-critical sectors including aerospace, automotive and finance where reliability is paramount.
Calix has announced that Blue Stream Fiber, XMission and Aervivo are using its SmartMDU platform to expand into the multi-dwelling unit market, which accounts for over one-third of US housing. The service providers are deploying managed Wi-Fi across affordable, luxury and mixed-use properties. SmartMDU, launched in October 2024, recently added Wi-Fi 7 systems and resident self-serve activation via in-unit QR codes, enabling immediate connection at move-in. The platform integrates with Calix One to deliver scalable, secure connectivity. Blue Stream Fiber, an early adopter, plans to add over 15 properties in 2026 and has achieved a 4.9 out of 5 satisfaction rating. Service providers report near-perfect satisfaction scores and faster time to revenue using the standardised deployment model.