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 Systems Software Engineer, GPU Fleet Telemetry
$152K - $287K *
Lead the charge in developing cutting-edge agent-side systems for GPU health monitoring, telemetry, and observability, while enhancing the reliability of NVIDIA's GPU fleet and collaborating across te...
Reposted 2 days ago
$131K - $222K *
Shape the future of logistics by developing intelligent planning platforms that optimize freight movement. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create scalable solutions that enhance supply chai...
3 days ago
$150K - $180K *
Transform clinical workflows by leading innovative multimodal ML projects, defining objectives, building advanced systems, and mentoring peers. Your work will bridge AI advancements and real-world med...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Solutions Architect Operations Manager
$115K - $194K *
Empower our Solutions Architects by enhancing operational tools and workflows. Drive efficiency and effectiveness in customer engagement processes, ensuring data quality and reporting standards are me...
1 week ago
Senior Technical Program Manager, Services Operations
$132K - $182K *
Drive program execution across high-priority workstreams in Customer Outcomes, managing threat intelligence partnerships and AI model initiatives. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure tim...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Project Manager (US Comms) - Johnson & Johnson MedTech, Circulatory Restoration
$106K - $170K *
Elevate your career by leading cross-functional projects in a dynamic, remote environment. Drive strategic initiatives and collaborate with stakeholders to ensure successful outcomes in a highly regul...
2 days ago
$90K - $105K *
Join a team that's dedicated to enhancing system reliability and performance for critical defense projects. Leverage your engineering expertise to implement best practices and drive data-driven improv...
1 week ago
Lead Packaging Systems Engineer- Paper/General Industrial
$90K - $140K *
Champion innovative engineering solutions by leading mechanical design efforts for packaging systems projects, ensuring capital project execution aligns with defined scopes, costs, and schedules, whil...
3 weeks ago
Senior Virtual Design & Construction Specialist
$90K - $110K *
Oversee the coordination and management of design models across software platforms, establishing BIM standards and schedules. Review models for accuracy, identify conflicts, and support project develo...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $150K *
Innovate and build across multiple surfaces, enhancing developer tools and agent products. Collaborate closely with a small team to deliver high-quality software solutions that drive enterprise adopti...
2 weeks ago
Application Engineer (Technical Sales) - Defense
$108K - $181K *
Create impactful technical solutions in military electrification projects. Collaborate with defense clients and provide expertise throughout the proposal process, ensuring compliance and mission effec...
Reposted today
Senior Machine Learning Researcher (Remote - US)
$175K - $300K *
Champion innovative research in machine learning, driving hands-on experiments and developing next-gen computer vision and robotics solutions, while collaborating with engineers to transform insights...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
Senior Partner Marketing Manager
$110K - $130K *
Engage with top-tier partners to define and execute innovative co-marketing strategies that amplify AI-driven growth. Oversee the entire partner marketing roadmap, ensuring measurable impact on pipeli...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Technical Program Manager
$162K - $224K *
Unlock potential by leading cross-functional software initiatives and shaping program delivery for high-impact Auto Retail projects. Collaborate closely with teams and harness your technical expertise...
3 weeks ago
Lead Mechanical Engineer 1 - Mission Critical
$118K - $180K *
Lead innovative mechanical engineering projects, mentoring junior engineers while designing complex systems and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams t...
3 days ago
Business Development Manager - Clinical and Diagnostic
$116K - $145K *
Transform market opportunities by driving growth strategies and customer engagement in the Clinical and Diagnostic sector. Leverage insights to enhance product positioning and enable sales teams for s...
2 weeks ago
Product Marketing Manager, Enterprise
$120K - $150K *
Champion the journey for enterprise clients by crafting compelling narratives, executing product launches, and enabling sales strategies. Collaborate closely on messaging and competitive analysis to d...
3 weeks ago
OEM Field Enablement Manager, HPE and HPI
$176K - $276K *
Partner with us to drive OEM field enablement strategies, delivering impactful training and resources that empower sales teams to effectively position and sell innovative NVIDIA solutions across globa...
1 week ago
Principal Design-for-Test (DFT) Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Champion robust Design-for-Test methodologies to enhance ASIC and SoC production quality. Collaborate across teams to ensure seamless integration and drive manufacturing test readiness for high-volume...
Today
Senior UX / Product Strategist - Sightline
$110K - $130K *
Transform user experiences by leading the design and strategy of a cutting-edge predictive marketing platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create intuitive, data-driven interfaces that...
1 week ago
$160K - $200K *
Reimagine the SOX compliance landscape by establishing a robust Internal Audit function. Drive risk management and internal controls, collaborating across departments to ensure compliance, enhance pro...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Systems Engineer - AV Sensing Design
$189K - $290K *
Join a team that's redefining autonomous sensing systems, providing technical leadership in sensor suite design and integration. Collaborate across functions to tackle engineering challenges and drive...
1 week ago
$125K - $150K *
Build high-performing software teams that drive critical project success while managing technical architecture and mentorship. Collaborate with leadership to align solutions with business needs and en...
3 weeks ago
Principal Software Engineer (Remote)
$176K - $220K *
Drive impactful platform engineering initiatives, leveraging deep expertise to architect scalable solutions and guide clients through complex technical landscapes while fostering collaboration and inn...
Today
$128K - $153K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of technology by delivering impactful software solutions. Collaborate on innovative projects, optimize data operations, and enhance user experiences while support...
Today
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.