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.
Lead Customer Engagement Engineer
$119K - $221K *
Unlock potential by providing technical support on our products, collaborating closely with customers and internal teams to diagnose issues, recommend solutions, and enhance product features. Engage i...
4 weeks ago
Lead Customer Engagement Engineer
$119K - $221K *
Transform technical challenges into solutions by partnering with customers and engineering teams. Leverage your expertise to resolve issues, provide support, and enhance product functionality, all whi...
4 weeks ago
Senior Supplier Quality Assurance Engineer
$115K - $145K *
Champion supplier quality excellence by leading initiatives that enhance performance, mitigate risks, and ensure manufacturing readiness across a global network. Collaborate with cross-functional team...
1 week ago
$107K - $126K *
Lead the charge in ensuring product and process quality by driving quality planning, inspections, and continuous improvement initiatives that meet customer and regulatory standards while enhancing ope...
1 week ago
$100K - $125K *
Accelerate progress at our innovative facility, leading equipment engineering efforts to enhance safety, reliability, and performance. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to troubleshoot issues an...
3 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's redefining optical transceiver technologies for data centers. Lead and mentor engineers in high-speed communication systems, ensuring innovative designs meet the demands of AI-accel...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Optical Transceiver Test Engineer
$123K - $145K *
Empower innovation by developing and optimizing test solutions for cutting-edge optical transceivers. Collaborate across teams to enhance production efficiency, yield, and quality in high-volume manuf...
Yesterday
Senior Perception Software Engineer
$224K - $356K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of autonomous driving by designing and developing cutting-edge perception solutions. Collaborate with top engineers to enhance software robustness and efficiency...
4 days ago
$140K - $170K *
Transform the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for spacecraft, ensuring seamless integration and performance across multiple disciplines while managing technical risks and program re...
1 week ago
$140K - $170K *
Shape the future of aerospace by leading systems engineering for spacecraft. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure integrated system performance from design to launch, balancing technical...
1 week ago
$140K - $170K *
Lead the charge in developing integrated spacecraft systems, ensuring seamless collaboration across engineering disciplines. Drive technical execution from architecture to mission operations, balancin...
1 week ago
$89K - $148K *
Elevate product and process quality by collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance, resolve issues, and drive continuous improvement initiatives in manufacturing operations...
1 week ago
Configuration & Design Engineer
$115K - $155K *
Elevate product integrity by leading configuration management processes, ensuring accurate documentation and change control across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain teams for hardware and s...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $260K *
Explore cutting-edge semiconductor technologies by spearheading product engineering efforts. Lead customer engagement, define requirements, and collaborate cross-functionally to drive innovations in 3...
3 weeks ago
Senior AI Observability engineer
$92K - $211K *
Lead the charge in automating observability and infrastructure as code for cloud-native platforms. You'll design pipelines, implement telemetry, and collaborate with teams to enhance system insights...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$93K - $99K *
Unlock potential by designing innovative mechanical and electronic systems. Utilize advanced CAD tools to create and refine products in a dynamic, low-volume environment. Collaborate with teams to del...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Specialist, Mechanical Design Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Champion innovative mechanical designs for advanced laser systems, collaborating with a multi-disciplinary team to develop solutions for military applications. Drive projects from concept to completio...
2 weeks ago
Integrated Photonics Engineer I
$75K - $95K *
Join a team that's pioneering quantum technologies, contributing to photonic systems for communication and sensing. Engage in meaningful research, design, and optimization while developing expertise i...
Reposted 4 days ago
Senior Antenna & RF Hardware Engineer
$101K - $177K *
Elevate antenna and RF hardware design for satellites, ensuring end-to-end ownership of phased-array systems and RF receive chains. Contribute to product definition, testing, and integration with cros...
3 weeks ago
Software Engineer - Fab Automation
$110K - $130K *
Optimize fab automation software systems to enhance semiconductor manufacturing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop solutions, troubleshoot issues, and ensure seamless integration in a...
1 week ago
Principal Foundry Quality Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Innovate quality processes for Silicon Photonic products, collaborating with foundries and engineering teams to enhance predictive methodologies, drive performance improvements, and ensure compliance...
2 weeks ago
Senior Aircraft Systems Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Unlock potential by leading avionics certification projects, ensuring compliance with FAA regulations. Collaborate with teams to develop complex designs and mentor junior engineers while delivering re...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer, Sustaining (R6024)
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team to drive mechanical issue resolution in production and fielded aircraft. Leverage your expertise in sustaining engineering and corrective action to enhance product performance and...
4 weeks ago
$110K - $220K *
Advance your career by designing innovative products from concept to production. Collaborate with a dynamic team to enhance user experiences and create functional, aesthetically pleasing designs that...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the transformation of experimental optics by managing lab operations, designing test setups, and executing experiments. Collaborate with engineers to drive innovation and streamline processes, en...
4 days 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.