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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$80K - $95K *

Lead the installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of complex medical equipment, ensuring exceptional service and customer satisfaction. Collaborate with teams to drive operational excellence and...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Business Services

$85K - $100K *

Champion innovative solutions as a System Engineer, driving client success through technology implementation and project management. Collaborate with teams to deliver projects on time and enhance clie...

Tampa, FLRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $170K *

Engineer innovative mechanical solutions for DOJ/BOP facilities, providing expert analysis and support for HVAC systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to enhance decision-making through technical docu...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$117K - $146K *

Elevate technical execution across utility-scale renewable energy projects, ensuring safe, on-time, and on-budget delivery. Lead project governance, interface with stakeholders, and drive continuous i...

Charlottesville, VARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$112K - $193K *

Empower a dynamic engineering team to architect and deliver innovative web solutions, driving AI integration and enhancing user experiences while managing project timelines and budgets effectively...

Hartford, CTRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $193K *

Join a team that's redefining software engineering excellence by leading high-performing teams in building and modernizing enterprise applications. Drive technical strategy, foster innovation, and ens...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$80K - $95K *

Drive innovative design solutions that elevate brand identity across diverse media. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create impactful visual assets, ensuring consistency and clarity in commu...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $105K *

Unlock potential by executing multi-channel field marketing programs that drive demand and pipeline growth in the SLED sector. Collaborate with sales teams to adapt strategies, ensuring local relevanc...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in driving digital transformation for key accounts, ensuring successful technical engagement and integration of solutions across healthcare systems. Collaborate with stakeholders to en...

Houston, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$200K - $215K *

Advance the cloud platform capabilities, ensuring secure, reliable, and scalable product delivery while enhancing developer experience and shaping reliability practices in a mission-driven healthcare...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $180K *

Innovate your career by leading digital marketing strategies and web experiences. Drive customer acquisition and revenue growth while managing a multidisciplinary team to enhance digital capabilities...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$135K - $160K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of security by leading software projects, mentoring engineers, and driving innovation in critical systems to support our rapid growth and enhance our product offe...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by designing and implementing hybrid networks across AWS, OCI, and on-premises environments, ensuring secure connectivity and compliance while troubleshooting complex issues in a f...

Baltimore, MDRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$170K - $190K *

Lead the charge in advancing analytical development strategies for small molecule drug substances and products, ensuring compliance and quality across the product lifecycle while collaborating with cr...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $125K *

Engage your passion for chemistry as you drive sales success by collaborating with teams, conducting demos, and providing insights to elevate product offerings and enhance customer engagement, all whi...

Massachusetts, USRemote

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$199K - $270K *

Shape the future of software development by enhancing tooling, CI/CD, and operational workflows, ensuring teams can seamlessly transition code changes into production with improved speed, quality, and...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $135K *

Innovate and lead as a Senior Software Engineer, driving full-stack solutions and mentoring talent. Collaborate with teams to enhance software processes, ensuring high-quality delivery and technical e...

United StatesRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$184K - $356K *

Transform the future of AI by optimizing generative models for efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance automated deployment solutions, leveraging cutting-edge technologies in de...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$131K - $180K *

Lead transformative software engineering initiatives, guiding teams to develop robust, full-stack systems that enhance digital safety research and foster collaboration across projects while mentoring...

Washington, DCRemote

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $150K *

Drive product vision and growth at the intersection of AI and science. Leverage strategic and technical expertise to define, prioritize, and enhance cutting-edge product capabilities while collaborati...

RemoteRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$236K - $370K *

Innovate the future of laboratory operations by leading strategic initiatives that integrate customer insights, technology, and business strategy. Collaborate across functions to drive impactful solut...

CanadaRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$153K - $213K *

Pioneer innovative web experiences as a Senior Software Engineer, shaping architecture and reliability for high-traffic consumer platforms. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance, measurement...

CanadaRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $160K *

Champion quality excellence by leading and standardizing assurance systems across regional logistics operations, driving continuous improvement and client partnerships while supporting new business la...

United StatesRemote

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in securing and optimizing OT/ICS networks for energy systems. As a senior engineer, you'll design network architectures, manage cybersecurity compliance, and collaborate with cross-fu...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$133K - $180K *

Help us transform healthcare solutions as you engage with clients, translate complex AI capabilities into actionable plans, and drive successful implementations within a collaborative environment focu...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.