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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$110K - $130K *

Join us to drive regional sales growth by developing strategies, building a motivated team, and fostering strong customer relationships. Your leadership will be key in achieving financial targets and...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$252K - $321K *

Drive hardware security strategy across Cisco's extensive product portfolio, establishing secure-by-design standards and collaborating with industry leaders to shape the future of embedded security in...

North Carolina, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$115K - $165K *

Tackle challenges by ensuring operational excellence through strategic planning, effective resource management, and continuous improvement, while leading a team to meet commitments in a dynamic startu...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$120K - $145K *

Take ownership of automating workflows across teams by building AI agents using Claude and Microsoft Copilot. Collaborate with various departments to identify automation opportunities, ensuring securi...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Empower our privacy program by automating processes, managing data subject requests, and ensuring compliance with GDPR and CCPA. You'll leverage technical skills to build scalable tools and systems, d...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by providing technical support throughout the commissioning lifecycle of mission-critical facilities. Collaborate with engineers and stakeholders to ensure successful execution of com...

New Jersey, USRemote

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$107K - $147K *

Optimize manufacturing processes in heavy equipment production by leveraging Lean principles and advanced technologies; ensure efficiency and safety throughout the product lifecycle while collaboratin...

Minnesota, USRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$181K - $301K *

Elevate our cyber defense capabilities by architecting advanced detection and response systems. Lead cross-functional initiatives, influence technical strategy, and enhance security measures to protec...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$90K - $110K *

Lead a dynamic safety program across Western US Operations, ensuring compliance and promoting a culture of safety. Collaborate with teams at all levels to implement best practices and drive continuous...

Atlanta, GARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$154K - $223K *

Join a team that's redefining energy solutions by leading the development of advanced control systems for microgrids and distributed energy resources, ensuring seamless integration and operational exc...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$130K - $160K *

Transform your career by leading a high-impact Developer Infrastructure team. Drive technical strategy, enhance developer experience, and foster a culture of growth and accountability while collaborat...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$148K - $190K *

Unlock your potential as you build and maintain integrations that connect security tools to enhance customer workflows. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, deliver, and support reliable solutio...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$229K - $458K *

Champion strategic growth initiatives in advanced manufacturing, driving business development and forging key partnerships. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance service offerings and mee...

United StatesRemote

3 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $170K *

Drive financial evaluations and execution of acquisitions in medical aesthetics, analyzing opportunities and supporting leadership in negotiations. This hands-on role requires expertise in financial a...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$104K - $176K *

Champion the Lead-to-Opportunity domain by driving product strategy, mentoring analysts, and enhancing the GTM tech stack. Influence the roadmap and ensure seamless lead conversion while collaborating...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$170K - $190K *

Champion the transition of analytical methods from lab to manufacturing, ensuring the delivery of innovative neurological therapies through close collaboration across teams and management of external...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Optimize design processes and lead a team of Design Leads to ensure high-quality project deliverables. Collaborate with project managers to balance resources, enforce design standards, and drive conti...

Dallas, TXRemote

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$90K - $135K *

Engage with healthcare professionals to provide expert clinical and technical support for O-Arm Imaging & Navigation products. Drive customer satisfaction through training, troubleshooting, and on-sit...

RemoteRemote

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$139K - $219K *

Unlock potential by partnering with sales teams to drive enterprise solutions, engaging C-level executives, and delivering tailored product demonstrations that address complex business challenges and...

RemoteRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Transform client relationships by leveraging Epic expertise to enhance project success and mentor teams. Drive problem-solving initiatives and optimize workflows while ensuring high standards of commu...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$86K - $165K *

Shape the future of records management by developing processes and systems that enhance compliance and efficiency. Collaborate with teams to assess needs, analyze data, and promote best practices in r...

Texas, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$77K - $118K *

Join our structural design team to lead innovative projects, utilizing 3D modeling software to create structural layouts and solve complex design challenges. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$128K - $214K *

Champion user research strategies that shape digital experiences by turning data into actionable insights, collaborating across teams to enhance user engagement and optimize web performance globally...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$109K - $140K *

Elevate your career by leading project estimation efforts, coordinating with teams, and analyzing complex solutions. Drive project success through meticulous planning and risk analysis while maintaini...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$95K - $115K *

Partner with us to drive sales operations excellence, ensuring effective workflows, data integrity, and actionable insights in a dynamic environment while supporting strategic initiatives and enhancin...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 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.