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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$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 1 week 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...

3 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...

1 week 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

$155K - $298K *

Drive innovation in semiconductor manufacturing by advancing manufacturing processes and technologies. Lead the design and optimization of next-gen devices to enhance production efficiency and product...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$140K - $265K *

Unlock potential by leading advanced research in electro-optical systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to innovate solutions for imaging and sensing technologies, impacting military applications th...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$140K - $265K *

Drive innovative research in advanced electro-optical designs. Collaborate within a dynamic team to explore solutions and forecast system performance. Shape strategies while addressing complex challen...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$150K - $180K *

Drive the successful execution of technical programs, managing R&D and manufacturing activities to meet customer specifications and delivery timelines while ensuring accountability and continuous impr...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in managing comprehensive technical programs from concept to delivery. Collaborate with teams to define program goals, monitor progress, and implement continuous improvements to ensure...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$114K - $171K *

Join a team that's focused on developing and optimizing lithography processes for advanced semiconductor packaging, driving continuous improvement and collaboration across engineering disciplines to m...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$140K - $321K *

Lead the charge in defining signal integrity strategies and architectures for next-gen storage systems, influencing design methodologies and engineering standards across multiple platforms to drive in...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$147K - $279K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of storage technology by defining signal integrity strategies and driving architectural excellence across multiple platforms. Your expertise will influence next-g...

3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Lead the development and optimization of dimensional inspection strategies, ensuring compliance and product conformity in a regulated medical device environment while providing technical expertise and...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $160K *

Innovate manufacturing processes and documentation for high-quality production, ensuring smooth transitions from prototype to full-rate. Collaborate with engineering to boost efficiency and drive cont...

1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Transportation

$146K - $194K *

Drive high-quality outcomes by partnering with design teams and suppliers in the precision machining of parts for missile and aircraft programs while enhancing processes and ensuring compliance across...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Unlock potential by leading predictive quality methodologies and enhancing foundry processes. Collaborate with engineering teams to drive improvements in silicon photonic products, ensuring high relia...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$170K - $234K *

Lead the charge in developing cutting-edge audio/video software for cinema, ensuring real-time security and innovative technology integration across embedded platforms while guiding a talented enginee...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$133K - $161K *

Champion the design and execution of advanced test systems for electronics, leveraging your hardware and software expertise. Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to enhance testing efficiency for...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $165K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of aviation by leading the industrialization of complex mechanical and electromechanical products. Drive manufacturing excellence from development to production...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$155K - $210K *

Champion the execution of complex NPI and development programs, managing multiple projects from concept to launch. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive success in a dynamic, matrixed envir...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$180K - $230K *

Transform complex DSP challenges into innovative solutions, providing strategic technical leadership and mentoring across multiple engineering programs while ensuring alignment with organizational obj...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Lead the development of innovative AI systems, collaborating across teams to build scalable, reliable features. Drive technical execution and mentor peers while shaping the product vision in a fast-pa...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$138K - $165K *

Transform customer data into innovative GenAI solutions. Collaborate with clients to tackle complex challenges, design systems, and enhance product features, ensuring lasting impact and continuous imp...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise 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.