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.
Materials Program Manager - BNSM
$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...
Today
$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...
Reposted 6 days ago
Aftermarket Sr. Mechanical Engineer
$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...
2 weeks ago
$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...
4 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
Reposted 1 week ago
$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...
2 weeks ago
System Architect, New Products
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
2 weeks ago
Senior Pre-Sales Systems Engineer, SLED (California)
$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...
Reposted 1 week ago
$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...
2 weeks ago
Customer Quality Engineer - Integration
$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...
Today
R0172329 - Project Engineer, EVA Remote Observation Camera (A)
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
1 month ago
Manager, Supplier Quality Engineer
$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...
3 days ago
Senior/Lead Software Engineer (Packet Forwarding Engines)
$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...
2 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer (Canada)
$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...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Director, Technical Solutions - Quantum
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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...
3 weeks ago
$231K - $304K *
Champion groundbreaking FPGA software advancements through innovative algorithm design and technical leadership, enhancing implementation methodologies and driving superior performance in complex semi...
3 weeks ago
$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...
1 week ago
$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...
Reposted 2 weeks 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.