Explore Senior Optical Engineer opportunities with organizations developing advanced optical and photonic technologies. Ladders features vetted professional roles paying $100,000 or more, including positions focused on optical design, imaging systems, lasers, and precision instrumentation.
Senior Optical Engineers design, analyze, test, and refine optical systems and components. Their work may span lenses, cameras, sensors, lasers, fiber-optic systems, imaging instruments, and optoelectronic devices. They often use optical modeling and simulation tools, guide prototype development, interpret test results, and collaborate with electrical, mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to bring products from concept to production.
Employers commonly seek a degree in optical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or a related technical field, along with substantial experience developing optical systems. Relevant skills may include optical design and analysis, imaging and illumination, tolerance analysis, metrology, laboratory testing, laser safety, and familiarity with tools such as Zemax OpticStudio or CODE V. Senior roles may also call for technical leadership, clear communication, and experience mentoring engineers or coordinating cross-functional projects.
Senior Optical Engineers work across aerospace and defense, medical devices, semiconductors, telecommunications, consumer electronics, scientific instrumentation, and photonics. Depending on the employer, roles may emphasize research and development, product engineering, systems integration, manufacturing support, or technical program leadership. Browse opportunities to find positions aligned with your specialties, experience, and career goals.
Search vetted Senior Optical Engineer jobs paying $100,000 or more on Ladders. Review role requirements, compare opportunities, and discover professional positions where your optical engineering expertise can make an impact.
Senior Foundry Integration Engineer
$126K - $173K *
Drive integration strategies to enhance silicon photonic fabrication, collaborating with foundries to evolve processes from development to production while ensuring robust performance and reproducibil...
4 weeks ago
Manager, Design Engineering - Optical
$84K - $130K *
Lead a dynamic team of Optical Design Engineers to innovate and implement cutting-edge DWDM network solutions, ensuring project success and exceeding performance targets while collaborating across dep...
1 week ago
$120K - $200K *
The Optomechanical Engineer at Scout Space will lead the design and development of hardware systems for on-orbit perception and autonomy capabilities. This role involves creating detailed mechanical d...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$140K - $150K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of cloud-based applications. Collaborate across diverse technology stacks to design, build, and enhance software solutions while embracing AI-assisted development...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $140K *
Pioneer innovative electrical design solutions while leading projects from concept to completion. Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to ensure compliance and efficiency, mentoring junior engine...
6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Innovate in custom laser design and integration, driving product development from concept to production. Collaborate across teams to enhance VCSEL technology, ensuring quality and manufacturability in...
2 weeks ago
Head of Forward Deployed Engineering
$190K - $240K *
Transform AI from concept to production by building and deploying solutions in manufacturing and supply chain. Lead a team to ensure adoption and drive business outcomes through hands-on engineering a...
1 week ago
$170K - $220K *
Take ownership of the entire algorithm development lifecycle. Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to design, implement, and optimize machine learning models for analyzing biosignal data in heal...
4 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Engage in technical leadership and project management to develop industry standards and reports. Collaborate with working groups to drive best practices and support continuous improvement initiatives...
Today
Field Application Engineer Level 4
$110K - $130K *
Support our sales team by providing technical consultation and training, ensuring successful application of advanced systems. Engage with customers through demonstrations and after-sales support, enha...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in engineering management, facilitating industry standards and guidance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop technical reports and oversee project execution while drivin...
3 weeks ago
Senior Perception Software Engineer
$224K - $356K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of autonomous driving by designing and developing cutting-edge perception solutions. Collaborate with top engineers to enhance software robustness and efficiency...
5 days ago
$178K - $287K *
Drive innovative machine learning solutions by leading cross-functional teams to deliver real-time safety insights from AI dash cameras, leveraging data from various sources to enhance fleet safety an...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Product Manager, Optics, REMOTE
$104K - $114K *
Unlock growth as you lead product strategies for optical networking solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive profitability, customer satisfaction, and market penetration while manag...
Reposted 3 days ago
Principal Software Verification & Validation Engineer
$168K - $280K *
Lead the charge in enhancing flight software validation and verification processes, impacting critical aerospace projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with rigorous st...
1 month ago
$170K - $185K *
Elevate user experiences by leading the design of complex healthcare applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create intuitive interfaces that enhance clinical workflows and support hi...
2 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to bridge design and engineering, enhancing UI systems and creating reusable components that elevate product quality and speed. Collaborate across teams to build, evolve, and maint...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by transforming spatial AI research into practical solutions that enhance user experiences for homebuyers and builders, driving innovation in generative floor plan capabilities within...
3 weeks ago
Principal Applications Engineer (SiPh)
$94K - $123K *
Lead the charge in advancing semiconductor test solutions, focusing on Silicon Photonics. Collaborate globally to translate customer needs into innovative products, ensuring technical excellence throu...
1 week ago
Principal Systems Engineer - AV Sensor Design
$238K - $365K *
Join a team that's redefining lidar technology for autonomy products. Lead the technical strategy, collaborate with experts, and drive innovations from concept to production, ensuring performance and...
1 week ago
Senior Parts and Reliability Engineer
$120K - $200K *
Champion parts engineering and reliability assurance for space missions. Lead selection, qualification, and reliability analysis of components, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure miss...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Design Engineer, Broadcast, XTG
$100K - $125K *
Lead innovative design solutions as a Senior Design Engineer, transforming client needs into actionable broadcast system designs. Collaborate with global teams, mentor junior engineers, and ensure pro...
Today
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of customer relationships by driving value and retention for large organizations, collaborating closely with sales and product teams to ensure success and growth through data-driven i...
4 weeks ago
Senior Technical Sourcing Manager, Optics and Switches
$200K - $250K *
Unlock potential by managing end-to-end sourcing for data center networking equipment, leading negotiations, and maintaining vendor relationships in a fast-paced, supply-constrained environment to sup...
Reposted 2 days ago
Senior Advanced Project Engineer - Electronics Supplier Development
$135K - $182K *
Lead the charge in enhancing supplier performance and quality for electronic components. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement initiatives and ensure compliance with...
Today
What does a Senior Optical Engineer do?
A Senior Optical Engineer designs, models, tests, and improves optical systems and components, such as lenses, imaging devices, lasers, sensors, and photonic systems. The role may also involve technical leadership and collaboration across engineering and product teams.
What qualifications are commonly required for Senior Optical Engineer jobs?
Requirements vary by employer, but many positions seek a degree in optical engineering, physics, electrical engineering, or a related discipline, plus significant experience with optical design, analysis, testing, and measurement.
Which industries hire Senior Optical Engineers?
Common employers are found in aerospace and defense, medical technology, semiconductors, telecommunications, consumer electronics, photonics, and scientific instrumentation.
What skills are useful for Senior Optical Engineers?
Useful skills include optical modeling, lens and imaging design, tolerance analysis, metrology, laboratory testing, laser safety, and experience with optical design software. Senior positions may also require project leadership and cross-functional communication.
What salary range can I expect for a Senior Optical Engineer job on Ladders?
Ladders focuses on vetted professional jobs paying $100,000 or more. Actual compensation depends on factors such as location, experience, industry, and role responsibilities; review individual listings for details.