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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$225K - $265K *

Partner with us to lead a high-performing engineering team, driving innovation and efficiency in our travel marketplace. You'll manage project lifecycles, enhance collaboration, and champion a custome...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Optimize runtime authorization strategies across diverse segments, driving technical wins and enabling Sales Engineers. Leverage deep IAM and PAM expertise to deliver impactful solutions, ensuring com...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $400K *

Engineer cutting-edge media and broadcast systems by transforming complex client needs into scalable solutions. Oversee architecture and integration while collaborating with teams, ensuring seamless p...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Media

$137K - $171K *

Engineer cutting-edge mechanical cooling and hydraulic systems for modular AI data centers. Drive design, integration, and commissioning of innovative solutions, ensuring efficiency and reliability ac...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $120K *

Elevate your career by leading complex installations and mentoring engineers as you manage project success and drive customer-focused outcomes in the semiconductor industry. Join us in optimizing tech...

Manassas, VARemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$93K - $125K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical resource, enhancing enterprise applications and infrastructure services. Drive operational excellence, support cross-functional initiatives, and ensure reliable, sec...

United StatesRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovative software solutions by designing, developing, and testing systems-level software. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet operational specifications and enhance SAP functionali...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$120K - $160K *

Lead the future of automation across a vast manufacturing network, providing strategic vision and technical solutions to enhance efficiency and productivity in operations. Act as a key expert driving...

Mentor, OHRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $187K *

Transform energy efficiency initiatives by leading a skilled engineering team. Drive project execution, mentor talent, and enhance program delivery across multiple states, ensuring impactful cost savi...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$135K - $160K *

Transform infrastructure by designing and building scalable GPU systems for AI cloud platforms, focusing on virtualization, Kubernetes, and automation to enhance performance and reliability across mul...

Bellevue, WARemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$149K - $198K *

Champion the development of reliable software releases for autonomous vehicles by building and automating pipelines, ensuring quality and speed through effective collaboration and innovative engineeri...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Transportation

$179K - $224K *

Unlock innovative solutions as you guide software engineering teams to navigate complexities and enhance integrations while mentoring diverse talents in a collaborative environment...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Transform engineering processes by developing verification tools, dashboards, and shared infrastructure. Collaborate with teams to enhance quality checks and streamline workflows, ensuring efficient s...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$133K - $146K *

Analyze and enhance quality processes in a dynamic environment, ensuring compliance with industry standards while collaborating cross-functionally to resolve issues and drive continuous improvement in...

Maryland, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$115K - $175K *

Join a strategic team as you oversee complex web projects, drive digital initiatives, and promote best practices, all while collaborating across functions. Make a real-world impact while shaping the f...

Seattle, WARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$224K - $431K *

Architect scalable systems for agentic AI, tackling challenges in runtimes and large-scale execution to deliver production-quality solutions. Collaborate across teams for optimal performance and resou...

Santa Clara, CARemote

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $190K *

Join a dynamic team to shape the future of cybersecurity solutions across the Americas. As a Senior Solution Engineer, you'll engage deeply with clients, deliver tailored demonstrations, and lead tech...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$125K - $150K *

Transform complex product concepts into intuitive user experiences across various platforms. Collaborate in a high-ownership role, focusing on enterprise design that meets diverse user needs while ens...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Lead the evolution of our GTM Systems Architecture, enhancing Salesforce and its tech stack for AI-native workflows. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build a trusted data foundation and driv...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$170K - $200K *

Unlock potential by spearheading scalable product solutions that transform workflow primitives into reusable components, driving efficiencies across teams and optimizing the collaboration between engi...

Palo Alto, CARemote

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$184K - $356K *

Join a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge cybersecurity solutions, collaborating with research and product teams to transform innovative ideas into production-ready services that enhance AI tooling...

RemoteRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $160K *

Lead the charge in solving critical engineering challenges, driving technical direction, and fostering team growth. Collaborate across departments to enhance systems, ensuring reliability and innovati...

United StatesRemote

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$152K - $241K *

Develop and optimize high-performance GPU compiler backends, collaborating with global teams to enhance deep-learning technologies and ensure robust, maintainable solutions in a dynamic environment...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Lead a talented team in crafting a high-quality, scalable object storage product that enhances the developer experience, balancing technical execution with product thinking to drive meaningful improve...

United StatesRemote

Reposted today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$115K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping innovative mechanical solutions for prefabricated platforms. Leverage your expertise in HVAC to lead the development and ensure alignment with customer and operational goals...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

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.