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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$140K - $165K *

Manage optical system design and verification for interplanetary missions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to address design challenges, support production processes, and ensure optimal perfor...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by advancing optical sensor systems for semiconductor manufacturing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and characterize complex optical technologies that enh...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$94K - $150K *

Empower innovation by leading the design of advanced optical fiber sensing systems. Collaborate across teams to translate complex requirements into integrated solutions, ensuring optimal performance a...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$160K - $185K *

Grow your career with this pivotal role by designing and optimizing advanced optical subsystems, collaborating closely with engineers to innovate precision alignment and assembly processes for cutting...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$179K - $230K *

Empower innovation by leading optical test efforts for advanced infrared sensing instruments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance testing methodologies and ensure high-quality performan...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$159K - $230K *

Transform the future of consumer electronics by engineering cutting-edge optical sensing solutions that enhance display experiences across flagship devices, ensuring flawless visuals in any environmen...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion the optics team's innovation by driving the design and development of cutting-edge optical metrology technology, ensuring seamless integration across multidisciplinary projects to deliver opt...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $155K *

Join a pioneering team to design and validate advanced optical systems that revolutionize medical imaging and wearable technologies. Contribute your expertise to build innovative solutions from concep...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$170K - $200K *

Lead the charge in building and verifying optical assemblies for quantum computers, ensuring precise alignment and performance. Collaborate with teams to deliver high-quality subsystems that meet stri...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $200K *

Lead the charge in designing and testing advanced optical payloads for space missions. Collaborate with engineers to innovate, improve, and validate optical systems, enabling cutting-edge satellite te...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Elevate your career by designing cutting-edge optical components for communication systems. Collaborate with suppliers, lead qualification activities, and stay ahead of industry trends while enhancing...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Drive optics validation within NPI by automating testing of optical communications modules, overseeing NPI programs, and engaging with ecosystem partners to ensure quality at all production stages, fr...

Reposted yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $140K *

Join the team to bridge optical design and manufacturing, ensuring efficient production flows and prototyping of advanced optical payloads for space missions. Drive innovation in processes and tooling...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $150K *

Join a team that's advancing technology by developing and integrating complex optical systems. Collaborate with cross-functional experts to transform customer specifications into efficient technical s...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$148K - $199K *

Shape the future of quantum computing by leading innovative optical design projects. Collaborate with a team of experts to develop cutting-edge photonic systems and components, ensuring high performan...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's redefining optical manufacturing processes through optimization, training, and technology integration. This role demands hands-on expertise in a fast-paced environment, focusing on...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Staffing

$91K - $125K *

Join a team that's advancing optical measurement methods for glass development. This hands-on role focuses on characterizing stress-related optical behavior, enhancing measurement techniques, and coll...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $151K *

Drive the design and development of advanced optical systems for planetary probes and remote sensing. Collaborate with diverse teams to innovate in optical engineering, focusing on adaptive optics and...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's pioneering the future of display technology through optical simulation, design, and validation. Collaborate on innovative projects that enhance consumer products, leveraging your ex...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Unlock the potential of next-gen optical components by leading productization from concept to mass production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams and external partners to innovate optical manufac...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Champion the development of precision optical components for next-gen AI and AR glasses. Lead productization from concept to high-volume production, collaborating with cross-functional teams and estab...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$96K - $160K *

Unlock your potential by leading the development of cutting-edge optical communications hardware. Collaborate with diverse teams to prototype, test, and refine next-gen systems that impact millions, a...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$120K - $140K *

Unlock potential by leveraging your expertise in electrical design to develop and support innovative metrology products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance througho...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$93K - $110K *

Join us to develop and optimize cutting-edge optical solutions for advanced laser and LED products, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to enhance performance, efficiency, and manufacturability...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $170K *

Explore a hands-on role integrating and validating optical subsystems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high performance and reliability in optical systems, leveraging your fundamenta...

Reposted 3 weeks 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.