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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$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 4 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

$220K - $240K *

Shape the future of loyalty by leading the technical execution and innovation of AI-powered features in a rapidly evolving product landscape, driving cross-functional initiatives with a focus on archi...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$111K - $125K *

Elevate your career by leading impactful engineering projects, ensuring quality and budget adherence while leveraging advanced AI tools. Collaborate with a dynamic team to shape sustainable built envi...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team as a Senior Design Manager, overseeing design delivery, coordinating projects, and leading a talented team to ensure high-quality results while fostering strong relationships with...

Indianapolis, INRemote

4 weeks ago

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

$198K - $233K *

Empower a team of engineers by architecting a robust AI-driven development pipeline, enhancing workflows across mobile and backend systems, and ensuring reliable, efficient software delivery for milli...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$160K - $190K *

Engage with a dynamic team to represent technical positions in standards communities, author specifications, and build credibility through implementation. This role offers growth opportunities, aiming...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate client success by managing complex projects, ensuring timely delivery, and maintaining budget integrity. Collaborate with diverse teams to drive engagement and optimize project outcomes from i...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $189K *

Unlock potential by driving mechanical design for mission-critical hardware, ensuring robust and production-ready solutions. Collaborate across teams to deliver compact, ruggedized devices that enhanc...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $189K *

Join us to lead mechanical design for innovative, mission-critical hardware, ensuring robust, production-ready solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams on the entire lifecycle, from concept...

New York, NYRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $189K *

Lead the charge in the mechanical design of innovative, ruggedized hardware for mission-critical applications. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver durable and compact products that meet rigorous...

Boston, MARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate product development by leading signal integrity initiatives, ensuring high-speed data transmission excellence, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovative solutions from...

Austin, TXRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$108K - $189K *

Join a dynamic team to drive mechanical design of cutting-edge, ruggedized hardware for public safety. Lead cross-functional collaboration from concept to production, balancing performance and manufac...

Scottsdale, AZRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $95K *

Transform your career with a dynamic role managing large-scale imaging equipment installations. You will lead projects, ensure customer satisfaction, and drive cross-functional collaboration while mee...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$184K - $356K *

Drive the development and automation of reliable, scalable AI services across diverse cloud environments, ensuring optimal performance and operational safety for production workloads and distributed s...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$184K - $287K *

Join a team that's redefining data processing by designing and operating a hosted Spark service on Kubernetes, enhancing GPU acceleration for enterprise applications, and driving production excellence...

Champaign, ILRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$103K - $138K *

Lead the charge in ensuring quality assurance for Field Engineering projects, acting as the key liaison among internal teams and customers. Oversee inspections, audits, and corrective actions to meet...

Virginia, USRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$103K - $138K *

Lead the charge in deploying and managing complex network installations, ensuring quality control and effective project execution while collaborating with internal teams and subcontractors to meet ope...

RemoteRemote

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$103K - $138K *

Engineer and oversee site implementations, ensuring quality control and effective project management for network installations. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot and maintain operational standard...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$159K - $219K *

Advance security initiatives by designing, implementing, and embedding robust security practices across AI-driven product development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to safeguard applications...

CanadaRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$90K - $100K *

Unlock potential by delivering innovative robotic solutions, ensuring seamless integration and operational success for customers. Collaborate, troubleshoot, and enhance system performance while provid...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$170K - $200K *

Lead technical direction for a healthcare data team, driving architectural decisions and cross-team initiatives to enhance compliance and operational efficiency. Elevate team performance while solving...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$160K - $500K+*

Engage in cutting-edge verification methodologies to drive scalable solutions across blocks and systems, ensuring robust validation at the chip level. Champion verification execution, planning, and cl...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Accelerate the deployment of innovative manufacturing processes for oncology products, ensuring compliance and collaboration across teams. Lead technology transfers and facility readiness to enhance p...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Engage in the international rollout of innovative cancer imaging solutions. Oversee technology transfer and manufacturing deployment, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards while collaborating...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

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.