Optical Manufacturing Process Co-Op (Fall 2025)

Position Overview (Summary/Objective):

Our Student Program provides amazing opportunities to develop functional job skills and gain real-world experience and expertise. We offer spring, fall and year-round internships and co-ops in fields across the company, including engineering, finance, and business development.

 

Currently we are seeking a Co-op, Optical Manufacturing (Fall 2025)

 

Position Overview:

The Process Development Co-Op will report to the Optical manufacturing group under the Optical Fabrication department. In this group, the co-op will work with Optical Manufacturing Engineers, and Scientists to advance our optical machining, grinding, and polishing processes and technologies. The co-op will individually support small internal development efforts along with participating, under guidance, in opportunities for large technology and process development tasks. Throughout the Co-op, the individual will communicate scientific findings through presentations with senior engineering mentors.

 

Responsibilities: 

• Generate test plans and reports for various process development assignments to develop an understanding of material, chemical, and/or mechanical interactions.
• Analyze test data to identify trends and effectively communicate scientific results.
• Conduct experiments while following appropriate industry safety and quality standards.
• Execute simple metrology in support of process development tasks.
• Design and overseeing manufacturing of tooling.
• Create new or update existing work instructions based on processes developed during Co-op.

Education Requirements: 

• Completion of Sophomore year or later
• Pursuing BS in Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or similar STEM background

 

Experience Required: 

• Experience working in a lab or research environment
• Data analysis experience
• Coding experience (MATLAB, Python, etc).
• Microsoft Excel experience
• Previous Co-Op or research experience preferred
• Previous optical manufacturing or testing experience, or experience working with glass/ceramic materials preferred
• Experience with 3d modeling software and drawing creation preferred

 

Location:

The position is located onsite at our facility in Danbury, CT. Located in beautiful Fairfield County, Danbury offers a diverse economy, wonderful parks, cultural attractions, an impressive mix of private and public educational institutions and a vibrant arts scene. Our facility is nestled among a remarkable selection of communities to call home all with varying price points to fit many different budgets. We’re close to New York City, Boston, and other major cities – great for day trips and weekend getaways. Our lovely seasons along with award-winning institutions, colleges, cultural events, and a genuine sense of community brings a diverse population to the beautiful state of Connecticut!

 

When you choose to join the ARKA Student Program, you will:

• Gain hands-on experience in your chosen field and share your unique ideas and creative problem-solving skills to help us continue our legacy of innovation.
• Flourish and seamlessly develop great relationships with co-workers.
• Network with students from other universities.
• Participate in activities that support our local communities.
• Work alongside our talented team, including employees who started as interns or co-ops.
• Enjoy companywide employee activities.
• Receive competitive compensation and paid holidays.

 

EHS/Environmental Requirements:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to communicate, listen to, and interpret instructions, occasionally operate tools and/or machinery with hands and arms and remain stationary for extended periods of the time. The employee will use protective equipment when working with chemicals, move between workstations, reach, and replace equipment, and move items weighing up to 25 lbs. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

Applicants are invited to apply for a reasonable accommodation to perform the essential duties of the job. To apply, send a request to staffing@arka.org or contact 203-797-5000 and press 2 for Human Resources.

 

This position requires the incumbent to access export-controlled information; therefore, US Person status is required. 

No visa sponsorship is available for this position.

 

Employment with any of the ARKA Group companies in the US is contingent upon satisfactory completion of several pre-employment requirements to include a credit check, background check and drug screen.

ARKA Group L.P. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status, age, or any other federally protected class.