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.
Lead Program Systems Engineer, Cyclops (remote considered)
$150K - $230K *
Architect system-level requirements and verification plans for a complex aerospace program. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure coherent design and integration across multiple engineerin...
2 weeks ago
$130K - $150K *
Unlock potential by leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality capital projects in regulated environments. Drive operational excellence and mentor talent while ensuring compliance with saf...
Today
Lead Metallic Materials Application Engineer
$112K - $149K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing aerospace materials technology. In this role, you'll lead the definition and qualification of materials for engine hardware, collaborating with cross-function...
Yesterday
$160K - $200K *
Join a team that's redefining cloud infrastructure by providing cross-departmental technical leadership, driving innovative architectural solutions, and mentoring top engineers to create unified, scal...
4 weeks ago
$130K - $160K *
Join a team that's driving innovative launch campaigns, managing complex schedules, and enhancing internal processes. This role requires a proactive leader to oversee launch operations and foster rela...
2 weeks ago
Senior Technical Product Manager
$153K - $213K *
Champion the development of a key platform, driving strategy, success metrics, and technical depth while collaborating across teams to deliver impactful solutions that meet customer needs and enhance...
2 weeks ago
$160K - $230K *
Transform mission-critical applications by collaborating with AI engineers to enhance performance, scalability, and security. Drive technical excellence and mentor peers while navigating dynamic feder...
2 days ago
Sr. Software Engineer, Geometric Modeling/CAD
$120K - $150K *
Shape the future of geometric modeling by developing innovative algorithmic solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior developers, and focus on delivering quality code while enh...
4 weeks ago
Principal SerDes Design Engineer
$200K - $300K *
Transform high-speed interconnect technology by architecting and designing next-gen SerDes for AI applications, overseeing development, validation, and optimization to ensure seamless integration and...
3 days ago
$160K - $275K *
Transform product outcomes by owning silicon validation and bring-up processes. Collaborate across technical teams to drive cross-functional debugging and enhance validation automation for optimal per...
4 weeks ago
Lead Mechanical Product Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team as you lead mechanical design and performance, bridging engineering and product teams. Drive innovation in HVAC and cooling solutions, ensuring optimal integration and customer sat...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $148K *
Accelerate team performance and delivery by leading software engineers, fostering development, and enhancing organizational effectiveness in a dynamic, remote environment. Drive sustainable practices...
1 week ago
$142K - $184K *
Champion the development and operational deployment of vehicle firmware, leveraging IoT data to enhance fleet safety and efficiency through collaborative efforts with cross-functional teams...
Reposted 1 week ago
$154K - $260K *
Innovate and drive technical strategy for AI-powered products at scale. Empower teams to build transformative software solutions, oversee complex projects, and deliver exceptional results that reshape...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Joint Use Design Supervisor - REMOTE WORK
$85K - $110K *
Shape the future of utility design by leading a team in joint-use and electrical distribution projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to safety standards while fostering client relationships...
Reposted 1 week ago
Director of Product Marketing - Coherent DSP & Optical Networking
$150K - $180K *
Champion the future of DSP marketing by crafting global strategies that bridge advanced technology with market needs. Drive product adoption and brand growth in a dynamic startup environment, influenc...
Yesterday
Director of Product Marketing - Coherent DSP & Optical Networking
$150K - $180K *
Innovate market strategies for next-gen DSP products, bridging tech and commercial success. Lead global campaigns, drive product positioning, and secure key partnerships in a dynamic startup environme...
2 days ago
$112K - $196K *
Pioneer advanced electrical systems design and validation for mission-critical hardware, leading cross-functional efforts in RF integration, mechanical design, and production readiness while addressin...
3 weeks ago
$112K - $196K *
Transform the future as you design and validate cutting-edge electrical systems. Own the full hardware lifecycle and lead technical direction, ensuring top-level performance across mission-critical pr...
3 weeks ago
$112K - $196K *
Join a founding team to architect and develop advanced multi-radio systems, integrating various wireless technologies into high-performance hardware for critical communication applications. Drive inno...
3 weeks ago
$112K - $196K *
Champion your career by designing and validating complex electrical systems, ensuring high performance across hardware lifecycles while leading technical initiatives within a collaborative engineering...
3 weeks ago
Principal Product Manager, Outbound
$152K - $223K *
Drive strategic initiatives across teams to achieve measurable outcomes. Lead complex programs, establish governance, and ensure alignment with product and business priorities while managing risks and...
Reposted 3 days ago
Sr. Equip Eng, Structural Processing
$86K - $165K *
Elevate your career by supporting advanced manufacturing equipment development and integration. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver scalable automation solutions in a dynamic, remote en...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Manager, Federal & Regulated Infrastructure
$215K - $315K *
Lead the charge in building secure, compliant infrastructure for our DaaS platform. Drive engineering excellence while collaborating with cross-functional teams to meet the needs of regulated customer...
3 days ago
Staff Engineer, Experience Engineering
$214K - $295K *
Pioneer the development of innovative user experiences across platforms, harnessing deep technical expertise and leadership to enhance product design. Collaborate broadly to drive operational excellen...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
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.