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.
$83K - $155K *
Explore a dynamic role combining application engineering with hands-on field support. Collaborate with customers and teams to troubleshoot and optimize solutions, ensuring successful installations and...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead a dynamic team of Solutions Engineers driving technical success and customer engagement. Collaborate with sales and engineering, ensuring high performance and strategic impact throughout the cust...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$105K - $126K *
Lead and optimize subcontract management by negotiating agreements, ensuring compliance, and collaborating with stakeholders to drive successful federal contracting outcomes while mentoring junior sta...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Project/Process Manager (Print, Packaging and Prepress Technologies)
$99K - $158K *
Join a team that's leading innovation in print and packaging processes. Drive complex projects, enhance workflows, and ensure top-tier color management across multiple business units while collaborati...
Yesterday
Principal Product Manager, Lighthouse
$275K - $300K *
Transform customer experiences by leading the multi-location product initiative, driving strategy, and developing innovative solutions that scale across the platform for diverse users, empowering them...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Controls Engineer, Manufacturing
$110K - $130K *
Accelerate progress at the forefront of dental technology by leading software development for specialized machines, shaping the future of custom prosthetics manufacturing in a dynamic, high-growth env...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join us to empower enterprise customers with innovative sourcing solutions, manage complex RFPs, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive procurement success while leveraging cutting-edge...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$176K - $276K *
Empower your career with a Senior Program Manager role driving production excellence, ensuring material readiness, and leading cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing processes in a fast-paced...
Reposted 1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Grow expertise in advanced BAS applications while mentoring peers, troubleshooting complex systems, and supporting projects throughout their lifecycle to drive success and foster innovation in buildin...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Manager II, Software Engineering, Infrastructure
$154K - $260K *
Join an innovative team to lead and evolve critical Core Infrastructure. Oversee infrastructure strategy, improve operational health, and drive automation to boost performance across a globally distri...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform the recruitment landscape by owning full-cycle hiring for GTM and R&D teams. Engage with stakeholders, shape strategies, and drive hiring velocity while ensuring a positive candidate experie...
3 days ago
$132K - $251K *
Deliver high-quality SAP ABAP solutions by developing, optimizing, and troubleshooting programs for aftermarket and depot operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performa...
Yesterday
Engineering Manager, Applied AI
$285K *
Champion a hands-on team of engineers to deliver high-quality software solutions. Guide technical design, develop talent, and manage client relationships while ensuring effective engagement delivery a...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager (RD165)
$135K - $160K *
Empower a talented engineering team to develop innovative airgap-native software solutions. Drive product success in National Defense by ensuring seamless integration with UDS, fostering collaboration...
1 week ago
Software Engineer, Smart Cameras
$155K - $222K *
Unlock potential by architecting and scaling cloud video services, designing high-performance APIs, and ensuring system resilience through end-to-end ownership and strategic collaboration with cross-f...
2 weeks ago
Director of Manufacturing Strategy
$170K - $220K *
Lead the strategy for manufacturing processes, ensuring seamless product transitions from design to production. Partner with cross-functional teams to optimize supplier capabilities while meeting cost...
4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer - Rapid Development Team
$180K - $200K *
Champion the design and development of AI-driven security solutions, enhancing autonomous investigation capabilities while collaborating with cross-functional teams to address customer needs and impro...
1 week ago
$132K - $207K *
Analyze and enhance GPU product reliability and manufacturability by collaborating with cross-functional teams, driving corrective actions, and supporting high-volume production environments to ensure...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Drive your career with a Senior Site Reliability Engineer role focused on building secure AWS GovCloud foundations for FedRAMP High and IL5, ensuring compliance and operational excellence while mentor...
Yesterday
Senior Director, Client Operations
$192K - $266K *
Drive best-in-class travel support through strategic leadership and operational excellence. Oversee lodging, flights, and customer advocacy, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and exception...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Manager, Deployed Engineering
$150K - $180K *
Pioneer innovative solutions as a Senior Manager in Deployed Engineering, leading hands-on deployments and building a high-performing team. Collaborate closely with customers and internal teams to dri...
1 week ago
Sr./Staff/Principal Software Engineer (Frontend/Fullstack)
$120K - $180K *
Transform user experiences by developing innovative web applications with cutting-edge technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create exceptional battery analytics software for leadin...
3 weeks ago
$84K - $90K *
Optimize product development by collaborating with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance embedded systems, design software components, and ensure robust operation while addressing technical challenges i...
3 weeks ago
$157K - $174K *
Elevate technical execution in GMP manufacturing by leading complex workstreams for comparability strategies, tech transfers, and process improvements. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensur...
5 days ago
Senior Lead Electrical Engineer, Datacenter
$162K - $220K *
Drive innovation in electrical engineering for hyperscale data centers. Lead design activities, manage project teams, and ensure quality assurance while collaborating with stakeholders to deliver resi...
1 week 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.