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.
Field Application Engineer -- South Region
$100K - $120K *
Elevate customer solutions by collaborating with engineers and sales teams to design and manufacture innovative products. Drive project management and technical support across the Southeast region, en...
1 week ago
Staff Mission Solutions Engineer
$165K - $205K *
Champion technical sales for our EO satellite portfolio, focusing on international defense and intelligence. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver tailored solutions, drive customer engag...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Sustainability Engineer - Radiopharmaceutical Manufacturing
$110K - $130K *
Innovate your career with a key role supporting the global launch and technical operations of radiopharmaceuticals, driving compliance, quality initiatives, and collaboration with CDMOs while leading...
Reposted 6 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Join us to design and develop secure backend services and APIs that enhance platform capabilities, drive enterprise adoption, and support innovative solutions leveraging AI and modern architecture...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Engineering Recruiting
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in engineering recruiting by shaping hiring strategies, developing a high-performing team, and enhancing scalable processes to support growth while personally managing senior leadershi...
3 days ago
Sr Global Product Manager, Digital Solutions - Surgical & Procedural Care
$149K - $224K *
Lead the charge in shaping digital solutions for perioperative workflows, driving strategy and execution across cross-functional teams to enhance clinical outcomes and operational efficiency in surgic...
Today
Physical Design Engineer - Synth, Senior
$200K - $300K *
Unlock potential by leading synthesis and timing closure for complex AI accelerator designs. Collaborate across teams to optimize implementations, ensuring high-quality netlists while driving innovati...
3 weeks ago
Senior Field Applications Engineer, AI Infrastructure Build - Execution
$132K - $253K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering on-site technical support for AI Factory builds, collaborating with partners to resolve critical deployment issues and enhance operational efficiency in fast...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Distributed Systems Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Architect resilient distributed systems for a transformative AI SaaS platform, driving innovation with a hands-on approach in a dynamic team focused on performance and scalability while navigating com...
4 weeks ago
Senior Principal Engineer, Solutions Architecture
$170K - $221K *
Partner with us to deliver integrated IT solutions that align with customer goals. Leverage your technical expertise to navigate complex requirements and enhance customer satisfaction through innovati...
Reposted 5 days ago
Sr Principal Program Mgr, PIC Data Eng
$150K - $180K *
Lead the charge in developing next-gen data platforms, driving strategic insights and AI solutions. Oversee data architecture, governance, and quality, while mentoring a high-performing team to foster...
1 week ago
Field Operations Manager - Surgical Equipment Repair
$80K - $95K *
Elevate the efficiency of Surgical Equipment Repair operations by leading a dedicated team, ensuring technical excellence, and fostering a culture of accountability and collaboration to enhance custom...
2 days ago
Senior Program Manager, AI Programs
$114K - $165K *
Transform AI initiatives by establishing a scalable operating model that integrates cross-functional teams, enhances stakeholder collaboration, and drives transparency in roadmaps and reporting for a...
3 days ago
Technical Program Manager - Mobile Platform Design System
$112K - $135K *
Elevate your career by driving delivery across mobile platform teams, ensuring alignment and timely releases. Collaborate with engineering leads to enhance app architecture and improve CI/CD processes...
Yesterday
$180K - $240K *
Join a team that's redefining engineering leadership across diverse portfolios. You'll drive operational excellence, foster high-performing teams, and enhance technical consistency while ensuring sust...
1 week ago
Director, Global MSP Marketing
$156K - $234K *
Transform global MSP marketing by leading strategy, driving partner engagement, and executing campaigns. Collaborate with regional teams to enhance pipeline and revenue while ensuring effective partne...
Today
Clinical Applications Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Unlock the potential of robotic minimally invasive care by supporting early users through their learning curve. Collaborate with clinical teams to enhance procedural safety and effectiveness while pro...
2 days ago
Clinical Applications Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Partner with us to enhance robotic minimally invasive care by supporting early users, providing technical expertise, and collaborating with clinical teams to ensure effective system adoption and profi...
3 days ago
$82K - $110K *
Transform the productivity landscape by administering and enhancing Microsoft 365 services, including SharePoint, Teams, and Power Platform. Collaborate with teams to deliver scalable solutions and su...
Today
$140K - $180K *
Join a team that's dedicated to developing scalable software solutions, designing responsive UIs, and optimizing backend services. Collaborate across functions to drive innovation and champion best pr...
2 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager - Grid
$165K - $253K *
Lead the charge in managing a project team focused on high voltage substations, overseeing design, analysis, and implementation to modernize the electric grid while ensuring projects meet client speci...
3 weeks ago
Senior Partner Solutions Architect, Strategic Partnerships
$115K - $194K *
Lead the technical strategy for strategic partnerships, transforming partner needs into integrations and influencing product design. Collaborate with R&D to evaluate AI models and enhance GitLab's off...
1 week ago
Staff+ Software Engineer, Memory & Search
$405K - $485K *
Join us to design and build innovative memory and search experiences that enhance user interaction across platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create impactful products that prioritiz...
4 days ago
$185K - $210K *
Empower our design team by transforming concepts into stunning, user-friendly interfaces. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to elevate our product's visual identity and create engaging data visu...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, RF Power Amplifier Architect (Remote - Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
$220K - $286K *
Engineer advanced RF power amplifier platforms for cellular and WiFi applications. Lead R&D efforts, develop novel architectures, and collaborate across teams to drive high-performance solutions for n...
3 days 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.