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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$130K - $155K *

Lead the design and integration of PAM4 optical transceivers for high-volume production, collaborating cross-functionally to meet customer requirements and enhance product performance through innovati...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Engage in the planning and execution of validation activities across multiple facilities, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to uphold quality and c...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Pioneer validation activities by planning, executing, and coordinating processes across multiple facilities. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with regulatory standards and...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $155K *

Empower innovation as a Senior Physical Design Engineer, leading block- and chip-level implementation from netlist to GDS. Drive design excellence in DSP and beamforming solutions, shaping product dif...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$88K - $105K *

Transform your career by supporting innovative automotive lighting solutions. Engage in hands-on electrical design, testing, and cross-functional collaboration to drive product development from concep...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$114K - $191K *

Join our innovative R&D team to design high-performance oscilloscopes, working closely with global engineers and scientists. Contribute to next-gen measurement instruments and enhance communication te...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$200K - $275K *

Drive your career by leading global quality strategies across the Optical Solutions Business Unit, fostering operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and a high-performing quality organization t...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$86K - $181K *

Take ownership of optical fabrication processes, collaborating with engineers to design, develop, and analyze tooling while supporting manufacturing operations for aerospace products and ensuring qual...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Deliver innovative solutions by developing and executing integration strategies for optical networking platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance system performance and ensure robus...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a talented team to develop innovative embedded software solutions for advanced camera systems, tackling image processing challenges and enhancing product performance through collaboration and exp...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$88K - $105K *

Unlock potential by driving process improvements and project management in our optical manufacturing lab, enhancing efficiency, and ensuring high-quality production outcomes...

3 weeks ago

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

$185K - $240K *

Join us to define and drive the architecture and design of advanced board-level hardware for next-gen networking platforms. Lead technical strategy, influence cross-functional teams, and innovate in h...

Yesterday

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's pioneering silicon photonics by validating optical circuit switches. You'll conduct hands-on testing, characterize prototypes, and collaborate with engineers to drive design decisio...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$150K - $190K *

Unlock potential by leading the integration and validation of advanced plasma-based sensing systems. Collaborate across disciplines to shape technical documentation and drive system performance in a f...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Transform equipment performance by overseeing installation, maintenance, and technician training. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance production quality and uptime, ensuring optimal ope...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $135K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of image sensor technology by designing and developing advanced analog and mixed-signal circuits, ensuring superior performance through innovative solutions and co...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $140K *

Transform the landscape of image sensor technology by leading analog design initiatives, executing detailed circuit simulations, optimizing layouts, and collaborating across teams to deliver cutting-e...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $195K *

Develop and standardize machine vision systems for automated manufacturing, translating proof-of-concept designs into robust architectures. Collaborate with teams to optimize performance and ensure co...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Unlock potential by bridging photonics and advanced packaging skills. Take ownership of A-0 and A-1 packages, contributing to innovative solutions in integrated photonics and multi-die assemblies, whi...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of photonics packaging by bridging advanced packaging and photonics expertise. Own critical aspects of A-0 and A-1 packages, driving innovation and collaboration within a dynamic team...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Contribute to innovative photonics packaging solutions, bridging advanced packaging and photonics expertise. Own key aspects of A-0 and A-1 packages, enhancing team collaboration and driving project s...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Advance product excellence by providing comprehensive Design Quality Engineering support, guiding innovative medical device development from concept through commercialization while ensuring regulatory...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$140K - $180K *

Lead the charge in developing and scaling laser manufacturing processes, overseeing cutting, welding, and marking. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure production readiness and implement...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Deliver innovative solutions by developing wafer test infrastructure and conducting design verification testing on cutting-edge electro-optic devices. Collaborate with teams to enhance designs and aut...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to develop innovative mechanical solutions for consumer optics products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, mentor junior engineers, and drive projects from concept to mass p...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer 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.