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.
Senior Project Manager, Isotopes
$120K - $195K *
Drive the development and execution of strategic projects for radioisotope production facilities. You will lead cross-functional teams to ensure operational readiness, regulatory compliance, and succe...
Reposted 2 days ago
$202K - $253K *
Shape the future of cardiometabolic care by driving backend architecture and cross-functional collaboration. Lead technical direction, mentor engineers, and deliver scalable solutions that enhance mem...
2 weeks ago
Staff Technical Program Manager
$120K - $145K *
Drive execution of complex technical initiatives, translating business vision into actionable programs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure alignment with company objectives and measurab...
2 days ago
Senior Software Engineer, SRE and Production Engineering - DGX Cloud
$152K - $287K *
Join a team that builds and operates large-scale GPU infrastructure for AI workloads. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop automation and tools, ensuring reliability and efficiency in pr...
3 weeks ago
Director, Learning Services Product Mangement
$171K - $321K *
Join a team that's redefining global Learning Services strategy and execution. Lead a multidisciplinary group to modernize digital learning, enhance customer engagement, and drive business growth thro...
2 days ago
Senior Employee & Change Communications Manager
$100K - $120K *
Drive impactful employee and change communications across the organization, enhancing engagement and understanding. Collaborate with leaders to create clear messaging and effective strategies that sup...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager, Containers
$150K - $180K *
Join a dynamic team to drive technical vision and operational excellence in cloud-native platforms. Lead engineering efforts, champion security practices, and empower talent while ensuring system stab...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Innovate within the AI Platform team by designing and operating core components for AI-driven solutions, focusing on model serving, agentic infrastructure, or observability. Collaborate across teams t...
2 weeks ago
$157K - $242K *
Join as a founding leader to define and drive hardware system architecture, ensuring technical integration across multiple domains. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, validate, and sc...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$157K - $242K *
Transform your career by driving system architecture and integration in the development of mission-critical hardware. Partner with engineering leads to define requirements and ensure cohesive subsyste...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$157K - $242K *
Join a team that's shaping groundbreaking hardware solutions by defining system architecture, integrating cross-functional requirements, and leading technical direction for complex, production-ready d...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$157K - $242K *
Pioneer system architecture and integration across multiple engineering domains. Drive the design and validation of complex hardware systems, ensuring cohesive production readiness by collaborating wi...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Virtual Calibration Development Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by developing innovative virtual calibration environments that enhance simulation-based workflows. Collaborate cross-functionally to improve calibration processes and support the inte...
3 weeks ago
Director of Engineering (Modeling & Rendering, Simulation, Distributed Computing, QA)
$160K - $200K *
Transform the engineering landscape by leading teams to innovate AI-assisted software development, ensuring timely delivery of next-gen products while enhancing existing offerings. Drive strategic exe...
2 weeks ago
Senior Director, Global Field Operations
$175K - $210K *
Lead global field operations, driving strategy and execution across sales, technical services, and partner functions. Collaborate with senior leadership to optimize pipeline management, forecasting, a...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer II - Platform
$154K - $260K *
Join a forward-thinking team to enhance user experiences through innovative AI solutions and full-stack development, impacting industries worldwide by improving workflows within the Samsara dashboard...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager - Core Engineering, Trusted Data Platform
$209K - $273K *
Advance your career by leading a high-performing engineering team, driving strategic execution and operational excellence while ensuring a reliable data platform aligns with enterprise goals and custo...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$118K - $212K *
Engage with the CEO to craft compelling narratives and enhance communication strategies. Lead diverse content creation, leveraging AI tools to connect with key audiences and ensure impactful messaging...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $150K *
Champion innovation by enhancing our cloud infrastructure and automating operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive AI-powered solutions and ensure software reliability in a dynamic...
3 weeks ago
Senior Technical Program Manager
$130K - $150K *
Lead the charge in driving program delivery and portfolio management for a dynamic Security team, ensuring effective execution of enterprise initiatives while fostering cross-functional collaboration...
1 week ago
$120K - $150K *
Elevate your career by designing and delivering innovative video solutions across diverse sectors. Collaborate with teams to create scalable architectures that enhance broadcast, streaming, and cloud...
2 weeks ago
Senior Gameplay Programmer, Game Prototypes
$140K - $250K *
Elevate your career by shaping innovative gameplay systems across diverse genres. Join a dynamic team focused on prototyping and refining engaging experiences for Netflix Games, leveraging cutting-edg...
1 week ago
$164K - $226K *
Lead the charge in designing and evolving a robust entity data platform, ensuring accurate and timely data delivery while enhancing system reliability and reducing manual validation through innovative...
2 weeks ago
$164K - $226K *
Lead the charge in revolutionizing Excel with AI-driven insights, enhancing workflows for financial professionals using cutting-edge technology. Impact major decisions and mentor engineers in best pra...
4 weeks ago
Sr. Marketing Manager, Outreach
$120K - $145K *
Deliver impactful marketing strategies to accelerate procedure growth in healthcare. Collaborate with sales and key stakeholders to enhance customer engagement and drive measurable business outcomes i...
Yesterday
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.