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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$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in shaping the future of energy through advanced power system modeling and compliance assessments. Collaborate with a dynamic team to conduct studies, ensure project quality, and drive...

Austin, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$160K - $190K *

Drive the future of high-speed interconnect technology by architecting and designing innovative SerDes solutions for next-gen AI applications, ensuring seamless integration and performance optimizatio...

Vancouver, BCRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading the design of cutting-edge SerDes technology for next-gen AI applications. Collaborate on architecture, circuit design, and validation to drive innovation in high-speed int...

Ottawa, ONRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$87K - $135K *

Drive your career forward by leading systems engineering for a cloud-based enterprise system. Engage in architecture development, integration, and modernization efforts while ensuring security and ope...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $200K *

Lead impactful product marketing initiatives across a fast-scaling health platform. You will shape messaging, execute go-to-market strategies, and drive cross-functional alignment to enhance member en...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$200K - $322K *

Lead the charge in optimizing infrastructure programs that power our cutting-edge EDA ecosystem. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless execution and strategic planning, driving op...

Santa Clara, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$243K - $318K *

Elevate your career by providing technical leadership across Dev AI platforms. Shape architectural strategies, drive cross-organizational initiatives, and enhance engineering quality while collaborati...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Drive the evolution of our product operations by designing and implementing systems that enhance team efficiency, visibility, and collaboration. You'll empower product managers and shape the future of...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$152K - $287K *

Advance the future of graphics technology by developing cutting-edge AI solutions. Collaborate globally to design and optimize user-mode drivers and APIs, ensuring compatibility across platforms and g...

North Carolina, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$168K - $270K *

Optimize the DSX OS portfolio by leading the development of a scoring platform that automates readiness tracking, enhances project onboarding, and ensures data integrity, driving open-source excellenc...

Santa Clara, CARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $150K *

Join a team that's redefining energy solutions. As a Senior Electrical Engineer, you'll lead design and execution of cutting-edge Solar and Battery Storage projects while mentoring peers and driving t...

Bedminster, NJRemote

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Inspire and elevate design excellence as you lead a talented team, setting and maintaining visual standards, driving innovative campaigns, and partnering cross-functionally to advance Dandy's brand an...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$133K - $209K *

Join a dynamic IT team as you safeguard cloud infrastructure, enhance security measures, and lead incident response efforts. Your expertise will drive continuous improvement and ensure robust protecti...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$169K - $304K *

Drive innovative IAM architecture solutions, collaborating globally to enhance cloud asset control and ensure operational excellence through strategic design and cross-functional teamwork...

Cambridge, MARemote

Today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$184K - $356K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative multi-agent AI systems for the CUDA ecosystem, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance performance and capabilities in high-impact AI workloads...

RemoteRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $175K *

Drive criticality safety evaluations and develop safety programs for innovative nuclear fuel recycling. Collaborate with a dynamic team to ensure compliance and enhance safety measures in a fast-paced...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$125K - $150K *

Transform scientific research with innovative AI methods. Collaborate across teams to design, test, and implement state-of-the-art models that advance academic discovery and impact the future of scien...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$82K - $87K *

Join a team that's dedicated to advancing research through technology. Lead and mentor a talented group of professionals in delivering high-performance computing solutions that support innovative rese...

Indiana, USRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$130K - $219K *

Drive the vision for Samsara device installations, enhancing user experiences and ensuring rapid, accurate setups. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize the install process, making impac...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Engineer innovative GN&C solutions for lunar missions, providing technical leadership and driving system performance from design to flight operations, while collaborating across multidisciplinary team...

Madison, ALRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$163K - $224K *

Help us lead and develop a senior Cloud Engineering team focused on operational excellence, infrastructure stability, and impactful migration programs that drive growth and efficiency within our cloud...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $150K *

Elevate product innovation by leading cross-functional teams to develop AI tools and workflows. Drive project momentum through hands-on prototyping and clear communication, ensuring alignment between...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$315K - $500K+*

Innovate dynamic gameplay systems by leveraging Generative AI to enhance player experiences. Collaborate closely with designers to prototype and integrate AI features, ensuring seamless performance an...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Hospitality & Recreation

$125K - $150K *

Architect robust AI infrastructure to detect and mitigate emerging threats. Drive innovation in data ingestion and model tuning while managing complex pipelines in a high-stakes environment that evolv...

RemoteRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$145K - $175K *

Shape the future of AI engineering by leading technical solutions, mentoring teams, and driving production outcomes in a collaborative environment focused on innovation and operational excellence...

Florida, USRemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.