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.
Shift Engineer - Semiconductor Wafer Fabrication
$80K - $95K *
Drive your career forward by ensuring process integrity and operational efficiency in semiconductor manufacturing. Collaborate with engineering teams to troubleshoot issues, maintain quality, and supp...
Today
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$180K - $300K *
Lead the delivery of innovative voice AI solutions for enterprise clients, collaborating with technical and non-technical teams to create and implement production-ready systems while enhancing custome...
3 weeks ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$180K - $300K *
Unlock potential by leading the delivery of advanced voice AI solutions, collaborating closely with enterprise clients to build and deploy production-grade systems while bridging technical and non-tec...
3 weeks ago
Senior Layout Extraction Engineer
$120K - $150K *
Elevate your career by driving Layout (FIRE) Extraction solutions within a dynamic team, ensuring high-quality results for application development. Join a collaborative environment focused on innovati...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Product Development Engineer II
$100K - $120K *
Champion the development of innovative products from concept to market, leading design and engineering efforts while ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and quality metrics. Drive continuous...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Transform the future of optical ranging systems by designing next-gen LiDAR technology. Lead the development from prototype to manufacturable product, ensuring precision and performance in real-world...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the development of innovative optical systems for airborne and space applications, collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, integrate, and test cutting-edge technologies that meet div...
Today
$110K - $130K *
Join us to innovate and develop cutting-edge optical systems for airborne and space applications, collaborating with diverse teams to enhance technology and drive successful project outcomes in a dyna...
Today
$96K - $128K *
Drive quality excellence by leading engineering initiatives, ensuring compliance with global standards, and fostering cross-functional collaboration to enhance product quality and operational efficien...
Yesterday
Senior Discipline Engineer - Systems Design
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team as you tackle engineering challenges, optimize resources, and drive innovation in systems design. Collaborate with experts, enhance your skills, and contribute to cutting-edge solu...
Yesterday
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Pixel Watch
$163K - $236K *
Transform the manufacturing landscape by leading technical programs and collaborating with design teams to ensure efficient, cost-effective assembly processes for high-volume consumer electronics. Dri...
3 weeks ago
$161K - $221K *
Optimize complex systems in the semiconductor industry by designing, integrating, and testing innovative solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality standards and exceed...
Today
$120K - $165K *
Lead the design and optimization of complex systems in the semiconductor industry, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions and ensure high-quality standards are met t...
Today
$120K - $165K *
Unlock potential by designing and optimizing complex systems in the semiconductor industry. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop innovative solutions, ensuring high-quality standards and...
4 days ago
$153K - $265K *
Lead the development of innovative software solutions for National Security, focusing on complex algorithms, system integration, and mentoring. Collaborate with teams to enhance operational capabiliti...
1 week ago
$90K - $110K *
Transform quality processes by managing compliance and continuous improvement within a dynamic Quality Management System, leading audits, and fostering a quality culture across teams...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Program Manager
$168K - $208K *
Shape the future of engineering programs by leading R&D projects, ensuring excellence across cross-functional teams and driving adherence to processes, goals, and timelines for impactful technology so...
3 weeks ago
Senior Safety Analysis Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Champion reactor safety analyses to enhance design and deployment of advanced nuclear systems. Lead evaluations of reactor behavior under various conditions, ensuring safety margins and regulatory com...
5 days ago
Lead Avionics Manufacturing Engineer
$160K - $240K *
Lead and build a team of engineers to drive high-reliability avionics manufacturing, ensuring quality and efficiency from design to production. Shape processes and standards for successful hardware in...
1 week ago
Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering
$118K - $196K *
Shape the future of medical device development by leading cross-functional teams to create innovative solutions that meet customer and regulatory needs while ensuring system-level quality and complian...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Systems Engineering
$118K - $196K *
Unlock potential by leading system architecture and integration for cutting-edge medical device products. Collaborate across engineering teams to translate needs into requirements, ensuring compliance...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$130K - $180K *
Transform complex wire harness programs by leading engineering efforts, optimizing processes, and ensuring quality. Collaborate with production and customers to drive improvements and manage technical...
4 days ago
$175K - $240K *
Innovate the future of healthcare technology by building a platform that empowers physicians and enhances patient care. Own the entire development process, from concept to deployment, and see your wor...
1 week ago
Senior Electronics Engineer (Job ID: 4561)
$120K - $145K *
Unlock potential by leading the sustainment of C5ISR systems on Army vessels, ensuring operational excellence worldwide through oversight, technical support, and innovative electronics solutions in co...
1 month ago
Manufacturing Engineering Manager
$110K - $130K *
Shape the future of manufacturing by leading a high-performing engineering team to drive process improvements, enhance operational efficiency, and foster cross-functional collaboration while advancing...
Reposted 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.