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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$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$135K - $160K *

Join our team to validate IoT device connectivity and functionality, design automated testing frameworks, and ensure product reliability across diverse network conditions, employing your expertise in...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$160K - $190K *

Lead the creation of autonomous systems that enable AI agents to develop production-grade software while ensuring correctness, scalability, and reliability across various applications in a global cont...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$76K - $145K *

Champion defect control in a high-volume manufacturing setting. Drive yield improvements and support NPI efforts by analyzing defect data, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and implementing s...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$176K - $242K *

Join a team that's pioneering advanced semiconductor packaging integration. Lead R&D efforts to develop robust processes, collaborating across functions to deliver innovative solutions in photonics an...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$176K - $242K *

Drive the integration of advanced semiconductor packaging in R&D, connecting processes, materials, and device requirements to create robust solutions. Collaborate across teams to transform complex obj...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$76K - $145K *

Take ownership of defect reduction initiatives in a dynamic manufacturing environment, driving yield and performance improvements through cross-functional collaboration, data analysis, and strategic i...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Partner with us to drive the calibration and control of photonic devices, designing algorithms and validating firmware. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure precision in optical systems a...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Redefine optical engineering by leading calibration and integration for high-speed coherent linecards. Collaborate across teams to enhance performance, troubleshoot issues, and mentor engineers, drivi...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$145K - $175K *

Take ownership of optical calibration and integration for high-speed coherent linecards. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance, troubleshoot issues, and mentor engineers while...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$130K - $155K *

Drive innovation in software design and development for calibration and test systems, engaging in all project phases from requirements to integration. Collaborate in a hybrid environment to enhance in...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Develop and own the antenna design for wireless platforms, ensuring reliability and performance across products. Engage in architecture, simulation, prototyping, and production processes while driving...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$106K - $182K *

Champion innovative opto-mechanical designs in a hands-on role, collaborating across the full project lifecycle. Leverage your expertise to create reliable hardware for advanced laser systems, while m...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$77K - $129K *

Join a dynamic team to lead process engineering for new product launches, ensuring compliance and quality in manufacturing. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop efficient, scalable solut...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$180K - $256K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of AI-driven scientific platforms. You’ll design, build, and optimize backend systems and data infrastructures, collaborating with experts to elevate orchestratio...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by leading the development of innovative imaging and measurement systems. Collaborate across teams to enhance operational efficiency and drive technical solutions that support product...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $280K *

Drive innovation in Electro-Optical systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance missile defense and space exploration capabilities through cutting-edge design, integration, and testi...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $251K *

Join a team that's innovating laser and electro-optical device design. Conduct cutting-edge research, develop intricate designs, and analyze applications across various sectors, improving performance...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Elevate product reliability by leading test methodologies and failure analysis for next-gen lidar systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure quality and manufacturability throughout th...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$160K - $200K *

Drive innovation as a strategic leader in engineering, overseeing multi-disciplinary teams to develop advanced Aerosol Jet manufacturing solutions while ensuring integration and scalability across sys...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$225K - $275K *

Shape the future of high-speed optical interconnects by leading the Co-Packaged Optics strategy. Collaborate across teams to drive innovation, develop product roadmaps, and engage customers, ensuring...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

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.