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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$168K - $280K *

Lead the charge in enhancing flight software validation and verification processes, impacting critical aerospace projects. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure compliance with rigorous st...

United StatesRemote

4 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$68K - $127K *

Engage in cutting-edge manufacturing engineering to optimize optical coating processes. Drive quality, safety, and productivity improvements through data analysis and collaboration with cross-function...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$110K - $130K *

Launch your career by joining a dynamic supply chain team focused on developing and executing strategic roadmaps, engaging with suppliers, and influencing cross-functional areas in a fast-paced enviro...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$138K - $206K *

Elevate chip design efficiency by leveraging AI/ML technologies to optimize performance, power, and area. Collaborate with leading experts, automate processes, and tackle complex challenges in advance...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$170K - $185K *

Elevate user experiences by leading the design of complex healthcare applications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to create intuitive interfaces that enhance clinical workflows and support hi...

United StatesRemote

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$145K - $160K *

Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing production equipment and automation processes in the pharmaceutical industry. Lead cross-functional efforts to enhance quality, efficiency, and compliance wh...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$146K - $194K *

Take ownership of testing operations in manufacturing, ensuring quality standards while driving efficiency. Collaborate across teams to enhance processes, troubleshoot issues, and innovate solutions t...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$109K - $165K *

Shape the future of manufacturing operations by leading teams to optimize production processes, ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency while driving continuous improvement and fostering a collaborat...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$97K - $148K *

Lead the charge in optimizing production operations, ensuring efficiency and safety, while managing a diverse team across various shifts to achieve strategic goals and KPIs for the manufacturing unit...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$95K - $115K *

Unlock your potential by designing and implementing test methods for fiber optic systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and support manufacturing efficiency in...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Transform the design and manufacturing of optical payloads, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-reliability performance in aerospace applications. Drive projects from conceptual d...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$122K - $232K *

Join a team at the forefront of semiconductor technology to develop advanced custom layout methodologies, drive physical integration, and execute verification for cutting-edge projects, enhancing desi...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$130K - $155K *

Unlock potential by leading technical initiatives in power management, focusing on DC/DC buck converters. Collaborate with R&D and customers to ensure successful product adoption through expert design...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$148K - $273K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative SoCs for cutting-edge SSD technology. Collaborate with cross-functional teams on design, validation, and implementation, ensuring top-quality semiconductor sol...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$113K - $121K *

Create cutting-edge EUV source technologies through hands-on experimentation, collaboration, and prototype development, advancing both new and existing systems while driving innovation and performance...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Accelerate progress at the forefront of semiconductor technology by managing integration processes, defining requirements, and collaborating across teams to enhance manufacturing yield and efficiency...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $175K *

Join a dynamic team as a technical leader, driving quality improvement initiatives. Utilize your analytical expertise to optimize systems, elevate quality performance, and influence long-term quality...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Lead the development of advanced materials for medical devices, translating research into commercially viable products while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and collaborating across mult...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$110K - $130K *

Unlock potential by managing device development projects from concept to production, collaborating with cross-functional teams to define technology requirements, design processes, and ensure high-qual...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$155K - $258K *

Join a dynamic team leading the development of high-speed optical products, overseeing R&D from concept to production. Collaborate cross-functionally to meet market needs while driving innovation in a...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$165K - $190K *

Champion innovative solutions at the intersection of AI and life sciences, collaborating with scientists and clinicians to enhance data usability and accelerate research outcomes. Drive technical impl...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Join us to provide technical leadership in manufacturing, enhancing process safety, quality, and productivity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to solve complex challenges and drive continuous...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Take ownership of quality assurance processes to elevate customer satisfaction. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to resolve issues and drive improvements while ensuring compliance with industry...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Empower the manufacturing process by designing and optimizing systems to meet quality, cost, and delivery goals, while managing customer-specific projects and leading technical teams throughout the pr...

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $150K *

Develop and support equity research initiatives for the Semiconductors team, collaborating closely with senior analysts to produce insightful reports and models, while demonstrating independence and a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

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.