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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$86K - $143K *

Discover your potential as an Optical Engineer, shaping advanced imaging systems for surgical robotics. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance optical engineering for the future of healthcare, maki...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$86K - $143K *

Design and develop custom optics for surgical robotics, enhancing imaging systems and consumables. Collaborate with cross-functional teams throughout all phases, from concept to implementation, ensuri...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$86K - $165K *

Transform the future of infrared imaging by leading the design and analysis of advanced optical systems. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure high-performance solutions in demanding environments...

3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $150K *

Help us shape the future of precision optomechanics by leading the development of custom optical subassemblies and establishing a new lab. Collaborate with a high-autonomy team to enhance device perfo...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $240K *

Discover innovative solutions as part of a dynamic team, developing optical test products for emerging semiconductor markets. Collaborate with engineers, define product requirements, and ensure high-p...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $240K *

Shape the future of optical test solutions in a dynamic R&D team. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop innovative optical engineering products targeting emerging markets, while interacting with c...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Transform healthcare by designing cutting-edge optical systems for AI and ML applications. Collaborate with a dynamic team to develop innovative solutions that enhance medical diagnostics and therapie...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$132K - $198K *

Transform complex optical and opto-mechanical systems into innovative solutions for semiconductor technology. Collaborate across disciplines to develop and validate instruments that drive next-gen man...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$89K - $115K *

Join a team that's redefining high-power fiber laser systems. Contribute to the design, development, and testing of innovative opto-mechanical solutions, ensuring excellence from concept through produ...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $155K *

Analyze and enhance the quality of advanced optical technologies through critical metrics, testing, and failure analysis. Drive continuous improvement in collaboration with suppliers and cross-functio...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Innovate and enhance the reliability of advanced optical technologies, ensuring quality from NPI to production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams, manage suppliers, and lead continuous improveme...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $150K *

Join a team that’s at the forefront of optical engineering. You'll collaborate to design and optimize complex optical systems in a dynamic environment, contributing your expertise to innovative projec...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Elevate your career by leading the design and performance of cutting-edge camera systems. Collaborate across teams to innovate optical solutions that enhance customer experiences and drive product exc...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$126K - $173K *

Drive integration strategies to enhance silicon photonic fabrication, collaborating with foundries to evolve processes from development to production while ensuring robust performance and reproducibil...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$117K - $161K *

Advance our silicon photonic fabrication processes by owning integration strategies and leading cross-functional teams to enhance production stability, drive performance improvements, and manage techn...

Coquitlam, BCIn-Person

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Innovate in optical engineering by leading the design and prototyping of advanced optical products. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to enhance high-capacity optical networks, ensuring rigorou...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$186K - $240K *

Contribute to the design and validation of advanced optical components for cutting-edge lithography and laser tools, engaging in full project lifecycle from concept to production while collaborating a...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$164K - $232K *

Join a team that's pushing the boundaries of photonics technology. Contribute to the design and optimization of advanced photonic components for next-gen optical communication systems, collaborating a...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$130K - $160K *

Transform the future of vision correction by developing cutting-edge intraocular lens technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize optical performance and enhance patient outcomes...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Lead daily manufacturing operations, enhancing production efficiency while managing teams and optimizing workflows. Collaborate with departments to meet output goals, ensuring quality control and oper...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$146K - $186K *

Invent advanced optical solutions for augmented reality, engaging with vendors and customers while leveraging your expertise to drive R&D initiatives and optimize performance in head-mounted displays...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$107K - $195K *

Advance cutting-edge fiber laser technology by conducting experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with engineers. Lead laboratory operations and communicate technical progress to stakeholders w...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Innovate optical subsystems for advanced robotic platforms, ensuring performance and reliability in harsh environments. Collaborate with designers and engineers to optimize mounts, materials, and test...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Drive global supply chain excellence for cutting-edge hardware products, overseeing end-to-end programs from sourcing to manufacturing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely deliver...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$95K - $139K *

Transform semiconductor design by leading innovative projects from concept to production, ensuring high-quality standards and efficiency in advanced manufacturing processes. Collaborate across teams t...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.