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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$157K - $238K *

Join a team that's redefining security by leveraging AI to enhance application safety. You'll assess vulnerabilities, develop innovative security solutions, and shape the AI security strategy across t...

Denver, CORemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$157K - $238K *

Lead the charge in enhancing application security by integrating AI-driven solutions, conducting assessments, and shaping the AI security strategy across the organization. Collaborate with cross-funct...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$115K - $175K *

Lead the creative program management efforts, ensuring timely delivery of high-quality projects across various marketing initiatives. Drive process improvements and foster collaboration within a dynam...

Seattle, WARemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$84K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of engineering solutions by leading technical engagement and demand creation, driving strategic plans, and fostering relationships with key stakeholders in a dyna...

Oregon, USRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$138K - $189K *

Champion audio innovation by developing and optimizing DSP software for embedded platforms, ensuring high-quality signal processing across diverse audio products while collaborating with cross-functio...

Framingham, MARemote

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$220K - $290K *

Accelerate the development of autonomous systems by leading systems engineering strategies, aligning cross-functional teams, and ensuring rigorous safety and performance standards throughout the produ...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Elevate talent acquisition at a dynamic tech company by leading comprehensive recruiting strategies, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and enhancing candidate experiences to drive sustainable...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Champion continuous improvement and operational excellence by connecting global teams, driving quality initiatives, and managing field projects. This role offers hands-on experience in project coordin...

Memphis, TNRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$137K - $231K *

Lead the charge in crafting impactful user experiences across multiple sectors. Drive design strategies, engage with customers, and collaborate closely with product and engineering teams to shape end...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Shape product strategy and execution for a B2B surveillance portfolio. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product success from concept to end of life, while mentoring fellow product mana...

Teaneck, NJRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$160K - $211K *

Join a team that's driving innovation in product sourcing and supply chain management. Leverage your expertise to enhance our Counter Intrusion product portfolio, collaborating cross-functionally to o...

Mountain View, CARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$146K - $194K *

Optimize your career by driving strategic supply network development and cost management for innovative products. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product lifecycles and supplier engagement...

Boston, MARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$126K - $167K *

Create innovative supply networks and optimize costs for cutting-edge products. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance product development and ensure efficient manufacturing processes throughout th...

Fort Stockton, TXRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$146K - $194K *

Join a dynamic team to drive strategic supply network development and cost management for innovative products. Collaborate with suppliers and cross-functional teams to optimize product lifecycles and...

Seattle, WARemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$112K - $196K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and validation of complex electrical systems, driving hardware lifecycle efforts, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure production readiness an...

Scottsdale, AZRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $196K *

Join a team that's advancing the design and validation of intricate electrical systems for mission-critical hardware, owning the hardware lifecycle while tackling challenges in RF integration, mechani...

New York, NYRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$112K - $196K *

Develop innovative electrical systems for mission-critical devices, overseeing the entire hardware lifecycle. Lead design and validation efforts to ensure seamless integration, performance, and reliab...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$124K - $134K *

Innovate and optimize our core fintech systems, leveraging AI-driven technologies while owning end-to-end product development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure impactful user experien...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$109K - $154K *

Engage with clients as a technical expert, driving innovative water treatment solutions. Oversee proposal lifecycle, collaborate globally, and leverage engineering expertise to design custom ultrapure...

Feasterville Trevose, PARemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$109K - $154K *

Pioneer innovative Ultra Pure Water treatment solutions as a key technical contact, leading bid strategy and project execution while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver tailored clien...

Feasterville Trevose, PARemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$220K - $250K *

Lead the charge in advancing video analytics by managing ML engineering teams to develop and deploy cutting-edge computer vision solutions. Drive innovation and collaboration to enhance real-time proc...

RemoteRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$200K - $300K *

Lead high-speed analog circuit design initiatives, focusing on broadband amplifiers, clock generation, and custom components. Collaborate on next-gen optical transceiver development while ensuring sys...

Irvine, CARemote

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on validating and optimizing Azure developer desktops. You'll design automated tests, ensure security compliance, and enhance performance metrics...

RemoteRemote

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Take ownership of the software development lifecycle, designing and implementing innovative solutions that enhance global health and environmental outcomes while collaborating with cross-functional te...

Pennsylvania, USRemote

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$100K - $120K *

Develop user-facing features and improve systems by leveraging software architecture, APIs, and cloud technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver reliable, maintainable solutions...

RemoteRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 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.