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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$110K - $140K *

Join a dynamic team to design and implement sensor timing controls and integrate ISP systems, collaborating closely with project leads on architecture definition and validation to optimize performance...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in embedded systems engineering for consumer electronics. Manage project timelines, guide a multi-disciplinary team, and ensure delivery of high-quality products in a fast-paced enviro...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$127K - $217K *

Unlock potential by leading integration efforts for BCD and image sensor technologies, ensuring robust performance and continuous improvement in yield, quality, and manufacturability through cross-fun...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Join a team that's dedicated to providing top-notch hardware support. You'll install, troubleshoot, and maintain advanced emulation platforms, ensuring customer satisfaction through proactive onsite a...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$185K - $240K *

Shape the future of advanced hardware design by leading strategic architecture, driving innovative solutions, and influencing cross-functional teams to deliver cutting-edge networking technologies acr...

Reposted today

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $130K *

Lead the charge in maintaining and enhancing complex military radar systems, ensuring operational readiness and support for critical US and Allied missions. Collaborate with engineers to troubleshoot...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $125K *

Build innovative software solutions as you develop and maintain the Apex Server application. Collaborate across teams to enhance functionality, troubleshoot issues, and ensure high-quality deliverable...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$90K - $125K *

Unlock your potential as you develop and maintain innovative software solutions, collaborating with a dynamic team to enhance cloud video and security technologies while mentoring junior developers an...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$100K - $125K *

Lead the charge in optimizing manufacturing processes for FDA-regulated medical devices. Drive quality, compliance, and efficiency while mentoring teams and spearheading continuous improvement initiat...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$184K - $356K *

Pioneer the future of autonomous driving by developing advanced 3D world models that integrate perception and mapping data, enabling safe navigation in complex environments. Collaborate with experts t...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$184K - $356K *

Unlock the future of autonomous driving by developing advanced 3D world models that integrate perception and mapping data, enabling vehicles to navigate complex environments safely and efficiently...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$184K - $356K *

Drive the future of autonomous vehicles by developing advanced 3D world models that integrate perception and mapping data, enabling safe navigation in complex environments. Collaborate with experts to...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $155K *

Lead the charge in developing custom space electronics, overseeing project execution, and managing cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery of innovative avionics solutions for spaceflight...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Elevate UAV capabilities by developing advanced computer vision algorithms for scene recognition, tracking, and positioning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to integrate sensors and optimize p...

Vaughan, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive the development of robust electronic hardware for sensing products, ensuring high-performance designs through all phases from concept to production, while collaborating with cross-functional tea...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $170K *

Elevate your career by designing and integrating advanced opto-mechanical systems for High Energy Laser weapon solutions. Collaborate in a dynamic environment to develop robust, innovative designs tha...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$182K - $186K *

Innovate scalable algorithms for edge devices, enhancing eye-tracking and real-world data insights. Collaborate across teams to drive software standards and tackle technical challenges, impacting the...

Waterloo, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Join us to design and validate cutting-edge avionics for spacecraft. Take ownership of electronic subsystems, ensuring reliable performance in demanding environments through innovation, testing, and b...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$120K - $200K *

Lead and develop a high-performing engineering team, driving innovation in laser technology and product development while collaborating across functions to meet market needs and engineering standards...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$80K - $95K *

Champion product reliability by conducting thorough testing and analysis of optical transceivers. Investigate failure mechanisms and enhance performance through systematic data examination and cross-f...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in electrical engineering, driving innovative hardware projects from concept to production. Collaborate with a talented team to tackle complex technical challenges and influence the fu...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$150K - $220K *

Tackle groundbreaking research in high-performance computing algorithms as you collaborate with cross-functional teams to create efficient computational models capable of powering state-of-the-art gra...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$108K - $152K *

Drive impactful analysis and insights for SIS Sustaining R&D Operations, supporting strategic decision-making, managing projects, and collaborating cross-functionally to enhance organizational perform...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Build innovative mixed-signal circuit boards and systems for advanced MRI technology. Lead design, debugging, and integration efforts, collaborating across disciplines to ensure high-quality, reliable...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Business Services

$120K - $145K *

Lead the charge in engineering management, facilitating industry standards and guidance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop technical reports and oversee project execution while drivin...

RemoteRemote

3 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.