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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$135K - $160K *

Build the future of RFIC technology by evaluating prototypes, automating labs, and supporting product development. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation and deliver exceptional t...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$86K - $181K *

Transform innovative designs by owning opto-mechanical subsystem development from concept to qualification, ensuring precision in optical mounts and collaboration with engineering teams to meet critic...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$112K - $160K *

Design, develop, and implement cutting-edge firmware solutions for advanced optical products, collaborating across teams to enhance performance and reliability. Engage in full firmware lifecycle from...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$112K - $168K *

Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on NPI electrical engineering, driving the development and manufacturing of cutting-edge DNA sequencing instruments through collaboration and hands-on expe...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by leading innovative low voltage technology design projects. You'll apply advanced engineering principles, collaborate with teams, and ensure high-quality standards in electrical...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$140K - $175K *

Lead manufacturing development for integrated avionics systems. Collaborate with design engineers on prototyping and production strategy while implementing advanced manufacturing techniques and stream...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Pioneer improved testing solutions for optical products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy innovative mechanical systems, ensuring performance and reliability in m...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$152K - $189K *

Explore advanced image-based mapping and navigation solutions using CV/ML. Collaborate with scientists and engineers to enhance autonomous spacecraft capabilities, impacting missions across terrestria...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's redefining electrical engineering by designing innovative systems for AI-driven logistics. Lead the development of robust electrical architectures, integrating cutting-edge technolo...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$170K - $250K *

Lead the characterization and validation of complex mixed-signal SoCs, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure silicon performance meets specifications while establishing testing capabilit...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$136K - $258K *

Transform the future of technology by collaborating with engineers to develop cutting-edge GPU/CPU/SoC products across various industries, ensuring optimal performance, cost, and schedule while leadin...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $150K *

Lead the charge in optimizing product designs for manufacturing and production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure successful transitions from design to scalable manufacturing while add...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $250K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of high-speed design, focusing on Multi-Gbps PAM4 SerDes IP. Your role will encompass design, development, and refinement, collaborating closely with engineers to e...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$89K - $115K *

Explore innovative solutions in laser technology, driving product development and improving system performance while tackling engineering challenges and collaborating across teams to enhance our next...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$91K - $169K *

Innovate optical designs by researching, developing, and testing precision components. Collaborate with teams to ensure optical systems meet performance standards while managing documentation and spec...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$155K - $190K *

Transform the future of high-speed electro-optic link verification by leading hands-on characterization and solving signal integrity challenges across silicon and system programs, while mentoring engi...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$175K - $200K *

Join a team that's pioneering high-power electronics design for aerospace systems. Lead the development of innovative power conversion hardware, collaborating across disciplines to ensure mission-read...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$98K - $183K *

Transform your career by driving innovative manufacturing processes and systems. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance production efficiency, contribute to continuous improvement, and lead project...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$130K - $180K *

Elevate our strategic customer relationships in the data center market, crafting innovative interconnection solutions while leading qualification processes. Collaborate with teams to resolve complex t...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$152K - $229K *

Shape the future of optical systems by leading mechanical design and analysis for advanced imaging and sensing technologies, ensuring robust performance in challenging environments through collaborati...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $115K *

Optimize supplier development and engagement in a strategic role driving manufacturing excellence and continuous improvement within the semiconductor equipment supply chain...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $165K *

Shape the future of satellite technology by developing and scaling technical suppliers, enhancing quality, cost, and delivery for high-performance optic systems, and collaborating with engineering tea...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Champion innovation by leading a dynamic engineering team focused on rapid prototyping and advanced extrusion technologies, driving customer collaboration and technical excellence to accelerate produc...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to innovating medical devices by designing and developing electronic systems. This hands-on role involves full lifecycle product development, cross-functional collaboratio...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $155K *

Unlock potential by leveraging expertise in semiconductor optical devices, focusing on fabrication, testing, and design. Collaborate across teams to innovate solutions in optical communication systems...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

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.