Spring 2026

Systems Engineering Co-op

Must be enrolled in Rochester Institute of Technology {RIT} and available for the Spring 2026...

Posted on 8/15/2025

Ocean Optics

Ocean Optics

51-200 employees

Manufactures portable spectrometers and sensing solutions

Compensation Overview

$20/hr

Rochester, NY, USA

In Person

Category
Electrical Engineering (3)
, ,
Requirements
  • Currently enrolled in a Bachelor's or Master’s program in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Optics, or a related field. Technical assignments will align with one’s field of study.
  • Exposure to engineering principles through coursework or academic projects in fields like optics, electronics, or systems integration. Previous project work or lab experience is a plus.
Responsibilities
  • Team Support & Contribution: Assist the Systems Engineering team in day-to-day activities, providing support on various projects. You’ll collaborate in tasks ranging from concept development to final testing, gaining exposure to every stage of the product lifecycle.
  • Systems Architecture: Gain hands-on experience by contributing to both high-level system frameworks and low-level design details. Learn how to piece together subsystems, participate in testing, and observe how technical decisions align with broader business goals.
  • Hands-on Development: Get involved with the end-to-end process—from initial concept and design to build, test, and pilot shipments. Your role will include supporting experiments and aiding in prototype preparations.
  • Engineering Design Tools: Under guidance, use industry-standard tools such as SolidWorks, Altium, Visual Studio, MATLAB, Python, and/or Zemax (depending on background) to work on real-world design challenges. This is an excellent chance to put your academic skills into practical use.
  • Cross-functional Collaboration: Collaborate with various departments including Quality, Manufacturing, Production, and Supply Chain. This exposure will help you understand how different engineering and business units work together to drive innovation.
  • Technical Reporting: Assist in the preparation and review of reports detailing system performance. Work on analyzing qualitative and quantitative data to support future development decisions.
Desired Qualifications
  • Eagerness for collaboration, learning, and contributing innovative ideas
  • An understanding of experimental methods and a curiosity for automated testing
  • Basic knowledge in 3D modeling (e.g., SolidWorks) and electrical design (e.g., Altium)
  • Programming skills in Visual Studio, Python, C++, or MATLAB, particularly for data analysis or developing graphical user interfaces
  • Strong analytical abilities, clear technical communication, and a proactive approach to problem solving
  • Comfort with ambiguity and a drive to seek clarity in complex technical environments
  • A high standard of ethics and integrity
  • An entrepreneurial mindset with a desire to push boundaries

Ocean Optics makes compact spectroscopy hardware and related optical sensing tools. Its flagship products are miniature, portable spectrometers used to measure light across wavelengths for scientists and engineers in fields like chemical analysis, environmental monitoring, and industrial sensing. The devices work by detecting light that passes through or reflects from a sample and translating it into a spectrum—the distribution of light by wavelength—using optical components and a small detector. The company differentiates itself with a modular approach and small, affordable spectrometers that can be integrated into custom systems or handheld devices, enabling researchers to build compact spectroscopic tools rather than relying on large, expensive lab equipment. Ocean Optics' goal is to broaden access to spectral data by providing versatile, scalable sensing solutions that allow users to deploy spectroscopy across a wide range of applications and environments.

Company Size

51-200

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Dunedin, Florida

Founded

1989

Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • Edmund Optics partnership expands global distribution since August 2025.
  • Halma acquisition in 2004 enables cross-selling in water treatment.
  • Miniaturization trend boosts IoT and remote sensing market capture.

What critics are saying

  • Chinese manufacturers commoditize miniature spectrometers, eroding moats.
  • Halma underinvests R&D versus PerkinElmer and Shimadzu focus.
  • International Light Technologies acquisition threatens operational autonomy.

What makes Ocean Optics unique

  • Ocean Optics released world's first miniature spectrometer in 1992.
  • Pioneered modular spectroscopy for portable environmental sensing.
  • Leads in high SNR Ocean SR series spectrometers since 2023.

Help us improve and share your feedback! Did you find this helpful?

Benefits

Performance Bonus

Growth & Insights and Company News

Headcount

6 month growth

0%

1 year growth

0%

2 year growth

-15%
Ocean Optics
Aug 12th, 2025
Ocean Optics Partners with Edmund Optics for Global Distribution

ORLANDO, Fla. - (August 14, 2025) - Ocean Optics, a pioneer in modular spectroscopy and a trusted name in optical sensing, is proud to announce a new Supplier Partner relationship with Edmund Optics.

Ocean Optics
Jun 23rd, 2025
Ocean Optics Launches Bioz Tool

To further enhance visibility and engagement, Ocean Optics has also added a Bioz Homepage Banner, ensuring that visitors immediately discover the powerful citation management capabilities available on its website.

EIN News
Sep 8th, 2023
Ocean Insight Announces Richard Curran as New President

Ocean Insight announces Richard Curran as new president.

Ocean Insight
Jun 22nd, 2023
Women in Engineering Day 2023

Ocean Insight has been named the Best Place to Work in both Central Florida and New York state.

Ocean Insight
May 3rd, 2023
Press Release: New Ocean SR series

Orlando, Florida, USA (May 4, 2023) – Ocean Optics, a brand of Ocean Insight, introduces compact, versatile Ocean SR series spectrometers distinguished by their rapid spectral acquisition speed and high signal to noise ratio (SNR) performance.

INACTIVE