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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$90K - $110K *

Unlock potential by designing and refining production tooling for high-quality assembly. Collaborate closely with teams to ensure repeatability and efficiency in manufacturing processes, while managin...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of embedded systems engineering by leading design, integration, and lifecycle management for military and aerospace products. Collaborate across disciplines to deliver innovative solu...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Transform semiconductor testing by architecting and optimizing SoC test programs for AI compute and inference. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-performance device validation and...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $155K *

Join a dynamic team to optimize advanced SoC devices for AI compute and inference. Collaborate across silicon, software, and customer programs to tackle complex semiconductor test challenges in a hand...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$96K - $132K *

Drive quality assurance initiatives by developing standards, conducting tests, and implementing inspection methods. Collaborate with teams to analyze data, recommend improvements, and ensure complianc...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$112K - $155K *

Join a team that's leading optical precision! Drive innovative metrology solutions, partnering with diverse teams to enhance optical product development and performance validation through advanced mea...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Provide advanced technical leadership in product design and development, focusing on innovation. Collaborate with manufacturing and project management to ensure seamless production startup and support...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of quality assurance by leading impactful programs, driving compliance, and fostering continuous improvement across cross-functional teams to enhance operational excellence and custom...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$80K - $95K *

Drive quality assurance excellence by collaborating with suppliers to ensure compliance, oversee audits, and implement engineering methodologies for continuous improvement in medical device production...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$111K - $147K *

Shape the future of quality management systems by leading their implementation, execution, and continuous improvement across multiple sites. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance processe...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Join a team that's committed to delivering advanced applications engineering solutions, leveraging in-depth technical expertise to enhance customer experiences and drive product integration within dyn...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that tackles high-complexity applications to deliver optimal solutions, providing technical expertise to customers and collaborating with Sales to drive success with Cognex products and au...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's passionate about embedded systems, driving board bring-up and control firmware development. Collaborate on complex challenges, ensuring robust implementations and real-time performa...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Elevate your career by developing cutting-edge computer vision systems that enhance robotics in manufacturing. Join a dynamic team, driving innovation and collaboration while ensuring seamless integra...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K - $95K *

Shape quality strategies for manufacturing by collaborating with teams to tackle production issues, enhance processes, and ensure compliance with customer and industry standards in a fast-paced enviro...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$84K - $104K *

Reimagine quality assurance by enhancing operational standards and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement best practices, conduct assessments, and foster a culture of qualit...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$168K - $252K *

Unlock potential by leading high-fidelity EO/IR modeling and algorithm development within a dynamic team. Drive innovation in seeker systems, mentor talent, and enhance simulation accuracy to ensure m...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$168K - $252K *

Join as a technical leader, focusing on advanced EO/IR modeling and algorithm development. Drive complex simulations and mentor teams in a dynamic environment, ensuring high standards and performance...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$85K - $95K *

Unlock potential by ensuring top-tier product quality through hands-on support, real-time problem-solving, and collaboration with production teams to meet AS9100 and customer specifications for consis...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$146K - $194K *

Manage supplier sourcing and development for advanced defense systems. Collaborate across teams to optimize costs and drive timely delivery while ensuring quality and compliance throughout the product...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$168K - $312K *

Drive innovation in AI/ML by developing scalable computer vision systems that enhance scientific imaging data analysis, collaborating with diverse teams to accelerate the discovery of transformative t...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$144K - $208K *

Elevate the future of semiconductor technology by managing and optimizing wet chemical process equipment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance tool uptime and drive innovation in MicroLE...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$145K - $175K *

Join a dynamic team to develop innovative front-end circuit designs for high-performance network controllers, focusing on micro-architecture and seamless IP integration while utilizing advanced commun...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of manufacturing excellence, driving continuous improvement and innovation. Collaborate across teams to enhance productivity, reduce costs, and ensure successful p...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$155K - $298K *

Unlock potential by driving semiconductor manufacturing innovations that enable next-gen technologies. Collaborate with suppliers, optimize processes, and influence the tech roadmap, ensuring high-yie...

Reposted 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.