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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1
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$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...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in expanding and retaining key Enterprise accounts, driving revenue growth through strategic account management and team leadership. Own the commercial outcomes, ensuring multi-product...

CanadaRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$120K - $150K *

Join a team that's redefining the customer experience in utilities by building a seamless, AI-driven self-service platform. You'll lead initiatives to enhance digital interactions, ensuring a proactiv...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$160K - $500K+*

Elevate production capabilities by leading NPI for AI compute systems, ensuring robust manufacturing processes from EVT to mass production. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver scalable, efficien...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$148K - $200K *

Champion innovative electrical design for mission-critical facilities. Lead complex projects, mentor teams, and enhance efficiency through technology. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure project s...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in engineering and securing infrastructure while ensuring compliance with federal cybersecurity standards. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop robust solutions that protect sensi...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$184K - $356K *

Elevate the future of autonomous software systems by building and optimizing AI agent evaluation frameworks, enhancing usability, reliability, and performance with a collaborative engineering team ded...

RemoteRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$174K - $218K *

Reimagine healthcare by shaping partnerships that drive innovative virtual-first care solutions. As a Senior Product Manager, you will bridge product and commercial teams, enhancing member engagement...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that's dedicated to financial excellence, supporting project teams in clinical trials. You'll analyze budgets, manage general ledger functions, and ensure accurate financial reporting whil...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Transform remote sensing capabilities by architecting advanced exploitation pipelines, leading multi-disciplinary teams, and developing innovative tools that enhance space observation analytics and mi...

Fairborn, OHRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$192K - $213K *

Transform data into insights by building robust calibration systems for multispectral infrared imagery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality data products for environmental m...

Denver, CORemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$196K - $210K *

Partner with us to shape the future of semiconductor workforce development by aligning industry needs with educational strategies, fostering partnerships, and leading initiatives that ensure technical...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$250K - $290K *

Elevate your career by leading a high-performing engineering team, driving strategy and innovation in web3 technologies. Shape the future of decentralized systems while ensuring top-tier security and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform engineering concepts into successful project implementations by collaborating with design teams and providing technical expertise on cooling systems for optimal project execution and custome...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$192K - $252K *

Unlock your potential by leading global technical support engineering, driving customer issue resolution, and enhancing service delivery across product lifecycles while collaborating with cross-functi...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Empower data-driven insights by architecting robust data platforms, overseeing ingestion and transformation across diverse customers, and mentoring a growing team while ensuring data integrity and per...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$130K - $160K *

Empower your career by leading cross-functional initiatives that define and execute product strategies. Cultivate senior talent while driving clarity in vision and achieving impactful results across d...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Partner with us to drive innovative mechanical design solutions for Navy missile systems. Leverage your expertise in complex programs to lead design analysis and collaborate with diverse teams, ensuri...

Indiana, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform PCB design processes in a dynamic environment, collaborating with engineers and contractors to ensure high-quality, high-speed digital and mixed signal PCB layouts that meet stringent requir...

Sunnyvale, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$125K - $150K *

Join a team that's redefining operational efficiency through AI and automation. As a Senior AI & Automation Engineer, you'll develop intelligent solutions that enhance workflows and drive measurable i...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $147K *

Drive clinical project performance by leading teams in the execution of research trials. Collaborate with stakeholders to ensure operational excellence, manage budgets, and mitigate risks while foster...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $180K *

Shape the future of cloud technology by leading the design and operation of secure, scalable services. Drive architectural decisions, mentor engineers, and collaborate across teams to enhance our clou...

Seattle, WARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$79K - $142K *

Champion strategic customer relationships to drive sustainable growth and align business objectives. Manage key accounts while implementing global sales strategies and ensuring customer satisfaction t...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$165K - $185K *

Innovate your career by driving the physical electrical design of high-voltage substations and utility-scale facilities while collaborating with diverse teams to deliver quality engineering solutions...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$76K - $145K *

Unlock your potential by leading cost estimating efforts for complex aerospace systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop accurate estimates and support both commercial and government...

Palo Alto, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.