Photonic Design Engineer Intern - Summer 2026

NVIDIA's invention of the GPU in 1999 fueled the growth of the PC gaming market, redefined modern computer graphics, and revolutionized parallel computing. More recently, GPU deep learning ignited modern AI - the next era of computing - with the GPU acting as the brain of computers, robots, and self-driving cars that can perceive and understand the world. Today, we are increasingly known as "the AI computing company." We're looking to grow our company and build our teams with the most inquisitive people in the world. Would you like to join us at the forefront of technological advancement?

We are now looking for a Photonic Design Engineer Intern. We are part of the global circuits team at NVIDIA that design the state-of-the-art GPUs for all applications such as supercomputers, gaming consoles and self-driving cars. Come join us in our mission to Engineer the next generation of best-in-class products. Our team’s focus is on architecture and design of CMOS and Silicon-Photonics high-speed chip interfaces (NVLink, IEEE, PCIE, USB, OIF) and other complex photonic functions.

What you will be doing:

• Work on the development of novel integrated photonic devices for high-speed optical interconnect and sensing applications.
• Conduct chip layout circuit design, circuit checking, and device evaluation and characterization.
• Perform prototype construction and checkout.
• Develop measurement methodology and apparatus to test and characterize the fabricated devices and perform experiments to demonstrate their ability in various potential applications.
• Respond to customer/client requests or events as they occur.
• If you have a strong ability to learn and explore new technologies and able to demonstrate good analysis and analytical skills, this is the ideal position for you.

What we need to see:

• Pursuing a PhD in Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Experience with silicon based opto-electronics technologies including silicon photonics device design, fabrication, and characterization.
• Knowledge in high-speed optical modulators, lasers and detectors, electrical and optimal testing, and statistical data analysis.
• Experience with guided-wave and free-space optics, including optical alignment and fiber-to-waveguide coupling.
• Experience using simulation tools such as Ansys Lumerical, ZeMax, and CAD tools such as Cadence, MATLAB, Python and Verilog-A scripting.

Ways to stand out from the crowd:

• Lab experience in silicon evaluation, debugging, characterization, and bring up.
• Lab experience with high-speed test equipment, such as AWG, DCA, VNA, BERT.
• Familiarity with modern CMOS fabrication processes and concept is a plus.

NVIDIA is widely considered to be one of the technology world's most desirable employers. We have some of the most forward-thinking and hardworking people in the world working for us. If you're creative and autonomous, we want to hear from you!

Our internship hourly rates are a standard pay based on the position, your location, year in school, degree, and experience. The hourly rate for our interns is 30 USD - 94 USD.


You will also be eligible for Intern benefits. ​

Applications for this job will be accepted at least until February 1, 2026.

This posting is for an existing vacancy. 

NVIDIA uses AI tools in its recruiting processes.

NVIDIA is committed to fostering a diverse work environment and proud to be an equal opportunity employer. As we highly value diversity in our current and future employees, we do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status or any other characteristic protected by law.