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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
More
1
caret down

$97K - $170K *

Manage supply chain readiness and risk for business units, ensuring alignment between growth plans and supplier capabilities. Collaborate cross-functionally to mitigate risks and drive material strate...

California, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$81K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team dedicated to providing exceptional support for high-resolution mass spectrometry instruments. Leverage your technical expertise to install, troubleshoot, and maintain equipment whi...

California, USRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Elevate your engineering career by leading innovative conveyor and sortation projects. Drive technical solutions from concept to execution, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance operati...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's committed to fostering lasting partnerships with major energy companies. You'll lead strategic account management, driving growth, and engagement through innovative solutions and ef...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Innovate solutions in software development, driving impactful changes across applications and frameworks. Lead initiatives to enhance functionality, ensure quality, and optimize performance in e-comme...

Indiana, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Innovate robust SaaS platforms by collaborating with cross-functional teams, building and enhancing features, and delivering customer-centric solutions throughout the development lifecycle...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$176K - $243K *

Empower innovation by leading the design and delivery of AI/ML systems. Drive architectural decisions, optimize model development, and enhance system reliability while collaborating with cross-functio...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$130K - $160K *

Transform the future of AI by architecting core building blocks for agentic systems, ensuring robust infrastructure and shared primitives that enhance collaboration across teams and drive innovation i...

San Francisco, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$125K - $150K *

Manage a talented engineering team, driving software development and community collaboration while maintaining high-quality standards and executing on ambitious goals effectively. Engage directly with...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$85K - $95K *

Transform search strategies by leading SEO initiatives that drive organic growth and enhance brand visibility across diverse channels and emerging platforms, while collaborating with cross-functional...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Lead the technical implementation of Synapse products, ensuring high-quality solutions and customer satisfaction. Collaborate with project teams, manage infrastructure deployment, and integrate health...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$156K - $234K *

Support innovation in data storage as a Senior Pre-Sales Systems Engineer. Collaborate with sales teams to craft technical solutions that solve customer challenges, ensuring exceptional service and dr...

California, USRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$224K - $356K *

Lead cross-functional teams to drive OEM technical engagements, ensuring successful product integration and deployment. Oversee NPI activities and build strong relationships with partners while managi...

California, USRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$88K - $105K *

Lead the charge in ensuring quality and compliance for mechanical and electrical systems. Collaborate across teams to uphold standards, conduct inspections, and drive continuous improvement in mission...

Texas, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$83K *

Join us to support the EVA Remote Observation Camera project by providing design, testing, and verification expertise. Collaborate with teams to troubleshoot hardware and ensure project success in a d...

Houston, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $110K *

Elevate the quality assurance process by managing UAT, bug triage, and CI/CD systems. Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure seamless communication and proactive quality management throughout th...

Toronto, ONRemote

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape a world-class Supplier Quality Engineering team, enhancing vendor quality processes and driving a Zero Defect mentality. Collaborate across departments to ensure product conformity and foster a...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $195K *

Take ownership of developing and delivering software for packet forwarding engines, collaborating with engineers to design, implement, and test solutions for complex networking systems in a fast-paced...

Vancouver, BCRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$100K - $120K *

Lead innovative electrical engineering design for cutting-edge data centres, overseeing all stages from concept to execution while ensuring compliance with industry standards and practices for complex...

CanadaRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$240K - $310K *

Elevate your career as you lead a team of technical experts to develop innovative strategies that drive customer engagement and support business growth across diverse sectors...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$66K - $128K *

Unlock your potential as you design and implement software for spacecraft simulators, collaborating with engineers to create cutting-edge solutions in the space industry. This entry-level role offers...

San Jose, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Lead the design and implementation of robust security measures to protect sensitive health information, ensuring compliance with HIPAA and other regulations while collaborating with cross-functional t...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$231K - $304K *

Champion groundbreaking FPGA software advancements through innovative algorithm design and technical leadership, enhancing implementation methodologies and driving superior performance in complex semi...

Colorado Springs, CORemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Unlock your potential as a Principal Software Developer, driving the design and deployment of cutting-edge AI platforms. Collaborate across the full stack to create intelligent applications that enhan...

Virginia, USRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Support pre-sales efforts by delivering technical training and customer support for photovoltaic systems. Leverage your expertise in system design and regulatory codes to facilitate successful solar a...

San Francisco, CARemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.