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.
$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 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
$80K - $95K *
Champion process improvements in optical fabrication to enhance quality, efficiency, and consistency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize production workflows and mentor engineering st...
3 weeks ago
$111K - $186K *
Champion advanced laser systems development by driving R&D design, testing, and troubleshooting complex challenges. Collaborate with teams to enhance product lifecycle and support customers while appl...
3 weeks ago
Process Engineer - Vision Systems
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team as a global process specialist for machine-vision and automated-inspection technologies, driving innovation and standardization across manufacturing sites while ensuring process re...
Today
Engineering Program Manager, XRX
$135K - $169K *
Advance the future of wearable vision technology by leading complex projects from concept to industrialization. Collaborate with top engineers to deliver innovative optical solutions while ensuring qu...
Today
Engineering Program Manager, XRX
$135K - $169K *
Lead the charge in delivering innovative technical solutions for advanced spectacle lens development, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure project success from concept to industrializat...
Yesterday
Engineering Program Manager, XRX
$135K - $169K *
Join us to lead innovative projects in advanced spectacle lens development, driving technical excellence and cross-functional collaboration. Shape the future of wearable vision technology while managi...
Yesterday
Senior Electronic IC Design Engineer
$121K - $171K *
Elevate innovation by designing cutting-edge circuits for serial communications. Collaborate within a dynamic team to drive product development from concept to qualification, ensuring high performance...
4 days ago
$90K - $110K *
Transform business development strategies by identifying and securing new opportunities in precision optics and photonics, bridging engineering and sales to deliver tailored solutions and enhance cust...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Manager, Optical Product Management
$160K - $220K *
Lead cross-functional teams to define and execute product strategy for optical and photonics product lines, driving development from concept through lifecycle and ensuring successful market delivery w...
Reposted yesterday
Advanced Electro-Optical Engineer - 1063
$131K - $176K *
Lead a dynamic team in developing cutting-edge detection and imaging systems for quantum computing. Collaborate with experts to enhance optical systems through software support, testing, and alignment...
Today
Senior Technical Program Manager
$120K - $145K *
Advance the future of orthodontics by leading complex product programs, ensuring seamless integration across technical domains while coordinating cross-functional teams to achieve strategic business o...
3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Silicon Photonics Assembly
$168K - $249K *
Advance innovative packaging technologies for cutting-edge silicon photonics and CPO. Lead process development and collaborate with partners to solve complex challenges, ensuring reliable assembly met...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's driving complex capital projects in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Lead cross-functional initiatives, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards while fostering...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer, Materials Quality Engineering
$85K - $125K *
Champion quality excellence in materials engineering by leading supplier development and performance improvement initiatives for polyurethane foams. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure robust qua...
Today
Principal Optical Process Engineer
$180K - $225K *
Transform optical alignment processes by developing automated solutions that enhance production efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and optimize systems, ensuring robust, r...
1 week ago
Opto-Mechanical Engineer II - (E2)
$100K - $136K *
Engineer innovative mechanical solutions by designing layouts, troubleshooting issues, and coordinating component assembly. Collaborate on projects to enhance product life cycles and ensure quality th...
1 week ago
$170K - $220K *
Contribute to innovative problem-solving by owning complex systems from architecture to deployment, ensuring accuracy and reliability while enhancing operational excellence in a small, impactful team...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$110K - $115K *
Elevate our software development initiatives by designing and implementing high-quality solutions. Lead technical efforts, mentor teams, and push the boundaries of machine learning infrastructure acro...
3 weeks ago
$108K - $123K *
Unlock innovative solutions as you design and implement precision structures for advanced optical instruments, leading multidisciplinary teams to deliver high-performance subsystems for space and grou...
1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Take ownership of the design and optimization of TFT pixel architectures for next-gen holographic displays, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to solve complex engineering challenges and enhan...
3 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.