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.
$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...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Embedded Flight Software Engineer
$143K - $238K *
Shape the future of embedded flight software by designing robust solutions for real-time operating systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop, document, and maintain critical systems...
4 weeks ago
Senior Engineer - Mobile Application
$180K - $195K *
Unlock your potential as you collaborate to develop enterprise Android applications, enhancing user experience through innovative design, coding, and testing. Join a dynamic team focused on delivering...
1 week ago
Member of Technical Staff, Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's redefining theoretical physics through innovative AI tools. Collaborate to develop groundbreaking technology solutions that enhance research, streamline processes, and drive scienti...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Member of Technical Staff, Engineering
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's revolutionizing theoretical physics through innovative tech development. Contribute to creating the AI Physicist, enhancing research capabilities with cutting-edge tools and algorit...
4 weeks ago
Senior Software Engineer, Behavior Planning
$130K - $155K *
Drive the innovation of behavior planning systems for autonomous vehicles, owning key design and implementation tasks while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure peak performance in dyna...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$155K - $170K *
Join a dynamic team to drive OEM integrations, ensuring technical excellence and partner success. Collaborate cross-functionally to deliver scalable solutions and enhance product alignment, while mana...
3 days ago
Senior GRC Engineer (Special Programs)
$110K - $130K *
Optimize client compliance engagements by leading cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and NIST CSF standards while driving operational excellence and fostering strong rel...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Principal Technical Program Manager
$164K - $295K *
Optimize the delivery of advanced server rack solutions by leading cross-functional teams, managing complex hardware programs, and ensuring alignment with hyperscale data center requirements for next...
Today
Senior Architect - Data Processing Systems, Analytics and Data Intelligence
$184K - $356K *
Transform data processing architectures by optimizing performance and efficiency. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance user experiences and drive innovation in hardware-software co-design for cut...
Reposted 5 days ago
Engineering Materials Manager (Remote)
$100K - $120K *
Unlock potential by leading materials management for a Nuclear Development project. Collaborate with engineering, procurement, and vendors to ensure effective planning and execution, driving project s...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Unlock your leadership potential by guiding product engineers in creating exceptional developer experiences. This role blends technical expertise and product vision, enabling you to drive impactful in...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Product Sales Development Manager
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by driving growth strategies and enhancing product adoption in a dynamic sales environment. Collaborate cross-functionally to achieve revenue objectives and ensure market alignment wh...
2 days ago
$85K - $165K *
Champion safety in innovative nuclear fuel recycling by evaluating hazards, developing safety documents, and ensuring compliance with regulations. Collaborate in a dynamic team to enhance safety measu...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Shape innovative solutions for public safety and more as a Staff Solutions Engineer. Collaborate with regional teams to enhance technical pre-sales support, craft winning strategies, and deliver best...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$140K - $160K *
Drive operational excellence by leading process and manufacturing engineering initiatives. Collaborate across teams to enhance efficiency, product quality, and scalability while fostering a culture of...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer - Commercial Navigation
$130K - $260K *
Shape the future of fleet navigation by owning end-to-end projects, delivering high-quality software across platforms, and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance user experiences in complex envir...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Red Team Engineer - Frontier AI Security (Remote US)
$120K - $150K *
Lead the charge in advanced security assessments, identifying vulnerabilities and enhancing security posture through hands-on penetration testing and collaboration with cross-functional teams. Mentor...
Reposted 2 days ago
Sr Manager Operations Construction Project Management REMOTE
$110K - $130K *
Transform your career by managing end-to-end construction projects, ensuring timely and budget-friendly delivery while collaborating with diverse teams to enhance operational efficiency and drive grow...
1 week ago
Senior Software Engineer, Linux Kernel
$120K - $195K *
Drive innovation by developing and maintaining Linux kernel features, collaborating with hardware teams, and contributing to the upstream community. Own projects from definition to deployment while me...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Structural Analysis Engineer
$104K - $173K *
Lead the charge in spacecraft structural analysis. Collaborate with engineers to ensure design integrity through advanced simulations, testing, and documentation in a fast-paced environment focused on...
3 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Elevate your career as a technical leader, architecting scalable systems and driving DevOps initiatives. Collaborate with engineering teams to enhance product reliability and mentor engineers while en...
1 week ago
Senior Process Engineer, Drug Substance
$110K - $125K *
Join a dynamic team to oversee process validation and support for small molecule API manufacturing, ensuring compliance and quality in collaboration with CMOs while driving continuous improvement and...
2 weeks ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE)
$170K - $205K *
Join a dynamic team to lead AI agent deployments in healthcare. Leverage your software engineering expertise and client-facing skills to drive technical delivery, influence product development, and en...
3 days ago
Implementation Technical Engineer
$96K - $132K *
Drive impactful technical implementations by managing projects and collaborating with diverse teams to ensure successful deployment of solutions, enhancing client satisfaction and operational efficien...
2 weeks ago
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.