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.
Senior Software Engineer, Operations Research
$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
Senior Engineer - Computer Vision, Imaging & Measurement Systems
$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
Electro-Optical Engineer Staff
$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
Electro-Optical Engineer Staff
$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
Member of Technical Staff, Hardware Reliability Engineer
$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
Senior Director of Engineering - Aerosol Jet 3D Printing, Motion Control & Electronics
$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
$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
$225K - $275K *
Develop and execute innovative strategies for Co-Packaged Optics, driving market leadership in fiber connectivity. Collaborate across teams to enhance product offerings and customer engagement, while...
Reposted 1 week ago
$178K - $287K *
Drive innovative machine learning solutions by leading cross-functional teams to deliver real-time safety insights from AI dash cameras, leveraging data from various sources to enhance fleet safety an...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the development of innovative III-V semiconductor laser layouts, driving design productivity and collaboration across teams to ensure manufacturable, high-quality products from concept to product...
1 week ago
Staff Hardware Test & Bring-Up Engineer
$167K - $193K *
Elevate testing practices for high-speed I/O interfaces by developing effective strategies, executing thorough validations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to transition innovations into...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Electrical Engineer, AI Infrastructure Hardware
$114K - $234K *
Join a dynamic team as a System Technical Lead, driving board design and integration for next-gen server systems. Collaborate across engineering disciplines to shape architecture, validate prototypes...
Yesterday
Senior / Lead Signal Integrity Engineer
$150K - $200K *
Innovate high-speed connector systems by leading signal integrity efforts, collaborating with cross-functional teams, and ensuring product excellence from design to production. Drive advanced solution...
5 days ago
Product Manager, Optics, REMOTE
$104K - $114K *
Unlock growth as you lead product strategies for optical networking solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive profitability, customer satisfaction, and market penetration while manag...
Reposted yesterday
Product Manager, Optics, REMOTE
$104K - $114K *
Lead the Approved Networks product line, driving growth and profitability through strategic management, customer engagement, and cross-functional collaboration. Shape product strategies and ensure mar...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Wireless Systems Engineer, R&D
$128K - $286K *
Innovate cutting-edge satellite location systems by enhancing accuracy and exploring downlink beacon technology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform research into production-ready sol...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electrical Engineer - Development & Test
$125K - $150K *
Help us drive innovation by leveraging your expertise in electrical engineering to develop, test, and validate cutting-edge Pro AV products. This hands-on role demands strong troubleshooting skills an...
4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive the development of advanced defense products by collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to establish clear system requirements and verification strategies, while mentoring junior engineers an...
4 weeks ago
Senior Manager R&D Software Engineering
$120K - $145K *
Drive software engineering excellence by leading a team focused on disciplined practices, agile workflows, and continuous improvement. Ensure compliance with industry standards while fostering collabo...
Today
Senior Electrical Design Engineer
$77K - $129K *
Explore a dynamic role in electrical engineering, focusing on innovative medical devices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and validate electrical components that enhance pa...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer II, Robotics Mechanical Design
$136K - $190K *
Create innovative mechanical designs for custom robotics configurations, collaborating with engineers to iterate and validate designs through simulation and physical testing, ensuring optimal performa...
Reposted 5 days ago
$75K - $90K *
Unlock potential by joining a dynamic team focused on process improvement and quality management in a manufacturing environment. Ideal for recent graduates ready to tackle real-world challenges and dr...
3 weeks ago
3D Print Optimization Engineer
$85K - $125K *
Explore innovative solutions in 3D print optimization to enhance performance. Collaborate across disciplines, drive analysis, and create customer-focused advancements in SLA & SLS technologies for unp...
3 weeks ago
3D Print Optimization Engineer
$85K - $125K *
Accelerate progress at the intersection of 3D printing technology and performance by solving complex multi-disciplinary challenges through hands-on experimentation and analysis, driving enhanced custo...
3 weeks ago
3D Print Optimization Engineer
$85K - $125K *
Optimize print performance by analyzing complex multi-disciplinary challenges. Drive innovative solutions in 3D printing technology, enhancing speed and reliability for customer satisfaction through h...
3 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.