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.
Sr Engineer, Quality Assurance Engineering
$95K - $110K *
Engage as a key quality leader in a dynamic engineering environment, driving manufacturing excellence and quality initiatives across products and processes while collaborating with cross-functional te...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Synthesis / Timing Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Elevate your career by leading synthesis and timing for advanced ASIC and FPGA solutions. Drive critical design decisions, optimize performance, and collaborate across teams to shape innovative produc...
1 week ago
Sr. Synthesis / Timing Engineer
$145K - $175K *
Transform the future of phased-array ASIC and FPGA solutions by owning synthesis and timing from RTL to sign-off. Collaborate across teams to ensure optimal performance, power efficiency, and product...
1 week ago
$170K - $200K *
Empower teams to innovate advanced optical engineering solutions for next-gen quantum computing. Lead design initiatives, collaborate with experts, and mentor talent while ensuring excellence in optic...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in engineering projects, driving cross-functional collaboration and ensuring manufacturing readiness, process stability, and documentation control in an ISO-regulated environment...
3 weeks ago
Senior Embedded Software Engineer, High-Performance Signal Processing
$170K - $230K *
Engineer advanced RF sensing capabilities for autonomous defense platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, implement, and optimize radar software, ensuring high-performance, low-la...
1 week ago
$120K - $265K *
Join a team that's shaping advanced optical systems through innovative packaging and integration. Lead design efforts for complex opto-mechanical subsystems while ensuring peak performance across vari...
Reposted 6 days ago
$170K - $220K *
Take ownership of the entire algorithm development lifecycle. Collaborate across multidisciplinary teams to design, implement, and optimize machine learning models for analyzing biosignal data in heal...
4 weeks ago
$90K - $110K *
Join a team that's driving innovation by enhancing manufacturing processes through automation and controls. Lead complex projects to optimize equipment performance while collaborating cross-functional...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in optimizing manufacturing readiness across multiple sites, ensuring seamless execution of capacity ramps and operational excellence in semiconductor production. Drive cross-functiona...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in executing manufacturing ramps across multiple sites, ensuring readiness in equipment, processes, and resources to meet production targets. Drive cross-functional collaboration and m...
1 week ago
Sr Principal Process Development Engineer
$136K - $178K *
Lead the charge in optimizing SMT processes for probe card manufacturing, ensuring high-quality production and defect reduction. Collaborate cross-functionally while driving continuous improvement ini...
2 weeks ago
Principal Optical Systems Engineer
$125K - $150K *
Lead the charge in advancing optical system verification by integrating and validating cutting-edge DSP solutions. Collaborate across domains to define specifications, optimize performance, and drive...
Yesterday
Avionics Test Engineer (Digital/Optical)
$115K - $130K *
Elevate your career by integrating cutting-edge optical technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop automated testing solutions, ensuring seamless performance of advanced optical...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer, Systems - Embedded Electronics (Valencia (CA), United States)
$100K - $125K *
Join a team that's pioneering advanced embedded electronics for innovative systems, enhancing lives through cochlear implants. Collaborate across disciplines, lead complex integrations, and drive tech...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer, Systems - Embedded Electronics (Valencia (CA), United States)
$100K - $125K *
Join a dynamic team to lead the development of innovative embedded electronic systems for next-gen cochlear implants, driving cross-functional collaboration and ensuring product excellence from concep...
3 weeks ago
Sr. Staff NPI Manufacturing Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in manufacturing engineering, leading complex NPI transitions from R&D to production. You'll collaborate across functions to ensure operational excellence and men...
5 days ago
Staff Engineer - Product Engineering
$180K - $220K *
Engage across teams to drive engineering excellence and influence strategic direction. Mentor peers, adopt AI for efficient technologies, and shape impactful solutions while fostering innovation and d...
Reposted 4 days ago
$110K - $130K *
Collaborate with industry experts to develop and manage technical standards, reports, and certification programs. Drive project management initiatives while facilitating working groups to achieve stra...
Today
$150K - $180K *
Lead the technical direction for digital beamforming and radar signal processing, shaping product roadmaps and algorithm architectures. Collaborate across teams to optimize systems and mentor others i...
1 week ago
Senior Manufacturing Quality Engineer
$146K - $194K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Manufacturing Quality Engineer, ensuring product excellence through rigorous quality standards, data analysis, and cross-functional collaboration in a regulated environ...
6 days ago
Principal Product Applications Engineer
$207K - $230K *
Lead the charge in deploying high-performance PCIe fabric solutions, translating complex requirements into practical architectures. Collaborate across teams to enhance AI infrastructure and drive prod...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion quality and reliability as you develop and execute testing for EEG and Home Sleep Test systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with industry standards and enha...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the design and development of high-volume electronic systems, guiding PCBAs from concept to production while ensuring compliance and reliability throughout the development cycle...
2 days ago
Quantum Engineer (Qubit System Performance)
$119K - $163K *
Empower the future of quantum computing by driving T centre qubits to peak performance. Collaborate with diverse teams to solve complex challenges, synthesize data into actionable insights, and innova...
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.