Senior Optical Engineer Jobs

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.

What Senior Optical Engineers Do

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.

Common Skills and Qualifications

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.

Industries and Career Opportunities

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.

Find Senior Optical Engineer Jobs on Ladders

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.

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$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...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

Seattle, WARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

Reston, VARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$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...

San Jose, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$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...

Irvine, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

San Jose, CARemote

2 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

Scottsdale, AZRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

New York, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

Boston, MARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$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...

Iowa, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Empower progress in product security by embedding advanced safeguards within every development phase. Collaborate with engineering teams to build AI-enhanced security tooling and enhance proactive ris...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Advance your career by providing critical support for robotic systems in healthcare. Collaborate with clinical teams to enhance user proficiency and ensure safe, effective procedures while driving inn...

Columbus, OHRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Transform healthcare by providing expert support and training for robotic systems, ensuring seamless adoption and proficiency among clinical users. Collaborate with teams to enhance user experience an...

Philadelphia, PARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's pivotal in advancing robotic minimally invasive care. You'll support early users, provide technical expertise during procedures, and collaborate with engineering teams to enhance sy...

Boston, MARemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Unlock potential by providing expert clinical support and training for robotic systems, ensuring effective adoption and proficiency among users. Collaborate with teams to enhance product usage and dri...

Cleveland, OHRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  • What does a Senior Optical Engineer do?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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?question toggle

    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.