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.
Lead Hardware Architect for Optical Transceivers
$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
$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
$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
$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
$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
Hardware, Optical and Electrical Engineer
$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
Sr Director, Quality - Optical Solutions
$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
Sr. Optical Fabrication Engineer
$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
Lead / Principal Software Integration Engineer - Optical Networking
$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...
4 days ago
Embedded Software Engineer - Camera Systems
$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
Process Engineer | Engineering Manager - Optical Manufacturing
$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
Principal / Senior Principal Electrical Design Engineer
$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
Silicon Photonics Systems Test Engineer - Optical Circuit Switches (OCS)
$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
$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
Senior Equipment Engineer (Thin Films)
$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
$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
$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
Senior Automation Engineer, Vision
$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
$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
$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
$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
Senior Design Quality Engineer
$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
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Laser Processes
$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
$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
Senior Mechanical Engineer - Consumer Optics
$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
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.