Gemological Institute of America

Electrical Engineering Intern

We are an established company located in Secaucus, New Jersey that offers its employees a competitive benefits package and great developmental opportunities.

The Company: GIA is the world’s foremost authority in gemology. An independent, nonprofit organization, GIA protects the public trust in gems and jewelry by providing the education, research, and standards that consumers and the jewelry industry rely on to make informed purchase decisions.

The Team & Culture: With autonomy, performance and passion, the Research & Development department strongly collaborates across the team to elevate the organization’s research and instrument initiatives. Our researchers develop instruments that are accurate, reliable and cutting-edge and used by gem professionals — retailers, wholesalers, scientists — around the globe.

Job Overview: We’re looking for a talented Intern Electrical Engineer to join our team that develops high-precision instruments used in gem analysis. This is a great opportunity to work with a skilled group of engineers and scientists on real-world projects in electronics, automation, and optics. You will help design, build, and test electronic systems and components. You'll support senior engineers in the development of new instruments and in improving existing ones. We offer hands-on training in a real engineering environment, the opportunity to grow within a team of experienced engineers, and the chance to work on meaningful, high-tech project in a supportive setting.

Essential Duties: Include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Assist in designing and testing electronic systems used in advanced instruments.
• Help create and update documents like schematics, wiring diagrams, and test procedures.
• Work with lab equipment (e.g., multimeters, oscilloscopes, power supplies) to troubleshoot and test circuits.
• Support the team in selecting components and communicating with vendors.
• Help maintain existing instruments and support production teams.
• Work closely with engineers from other areas such as software and mechanical design.
• Follow safety standards and help improve product quality.

Technical Competencies: (Knowledge, Skills & Abilities)

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

• Basic understanding of embedded systems, circuit design, and microcontrollers.
• Familiar with lab tools such as oscilloscopes, power supplies, and soldering tools.
• Exposure to schematic design software (like Altium, Eagle, or KiCad).
• Interest in automation systems, motors, sensors, and industrial electronics.
• Willingness to learn and contribute to a collaborative team.
• Strong attention to detail, good problem-solving skills, and clear communication.
• Experience with basic programming (C/C++) or embedded firmware.
• Understanding of communication protocols like UART, SPI, or I2C.
• Interest in optics, lasers, or spectroscopy.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Electronics, or Computer Engineering (or close to completion).

Physical Requirements/ Work Environment:

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Employee may be required, from time to time, to work overtime.

Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request, to enable them to perform the essential functions of their job, as required by law.

GIA provides employees with a safe work environment through the provision of internal safety policies and procedures, safety awareness and training, and appropriate safety equipment as recommended and/or prescribed by governing regulatory agencies. Employee is required to comply with all safety policies, procedures, directives, and/or warnings.

Pay range:

$22-24/hour for Undergraduate Students

$28-30/hour for Graduate students

An Equal Opportunity Employer

All employment decisions are made without regard to unlawful considerations of race, sex, religion, national origin, age, disability, or any other legally protected status. Reasonable accommodations are available upon request.

Disclaimer: This job description indicates in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification and it may be changed by management at any time. Other duties may also apply. Nothing in this job description changes the at-will employment relationship existing between the Company and its employees.