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.
$80K - $95K *
Champion quality excellence by ensuring precision optical components meet specifications through hands-on support, technical problem-solving, and collaboration across departments, while maintaining co...
3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive innovation in optical communication by developing advanced DSP algorithms for high-speed transceivers. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize performance and ensure reliable impleme...
Today
$100K - $120K *
Engage in cutting-edge DSP design for optical transceivers, driving innovation in high-speed communication systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize algorithms and ensure robust per...
Today
$120K - $145K *
Advance your career by owning the optical subsystem design and integration for high-power directed energy systems, collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions in a fast-p...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Electron Microscopy Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Optimize semiconductor failure analysis by joining a team that leverages advanced electron microscopy techniques to identify defects and improve yields, collaborating with cross-functional groups to e...
Reposted 1 week ago
$99K - $225K *
Lead the charge in advancing optical technologies, transforming R&D prototypes into robust systems. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure reliability and manufacturability while guiding p...
3 days ago
$95K - $115K *
Drive quality excellence by leading a skilled team of Quality Engineers to enhance precision optical manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance with rigorous quality standards and driving continuous...
3 weeks ago
Senior Optical Systems Engineer
$72K - $149K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of optical systems for military reconnaissance. Lead product development, manage requirements, and ensure compliance through rigorous testing and analysis in a co...
Reposted 5 days ago
Optical Systems and Manufacturing Development Engineer
$115K - $219K *
Transform semiconductor manufacturing by developing cutting-edge laser technologies. Collaborate with world-class teams to optimize processes and drive innovation in high-volume production, ensuring I...
3 weeks ago
Principle Optical Engineer & Electro-Optical Lead - Directed Energy
$112K - $220K *
Shape the future of directed energy systems as you lead the design and integration of advanced electro-optical technologies. Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams to develop solutions that meet cri...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Designer, Optoelectronics
$108K - $126K *
Bring your expertise to a pivotal role in advancing entertainment technologies through optoelectronics. You'll lead development, validation, and cross-functional collaboration, enhancing product perfo...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate your career by designing and integrating precision optomechanical systems. Collaborate with a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge optical technologies for diverse applications, ensuring robus...
1 week ago
Senior EO/IR Optical Engineer - Non-Sequential Ray Tracing, Metrology and Interferometry
$149K - $260K *
Elevate optical engineering capabilities by crafting advanced EO/IR payloads. Leverage expertise in non-sequential modeling, testing, and design to contribute to mission-critical space instrumentation...
3 weeks ago
Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer
$150K - $175K *
Transform the future of optical engineering by designing innovative opto-mechanical systems, collaborating with scientists, and leading complex projects from concept to execution. Contribute to cuttin...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Device Electrical Engineer – High-Speed Optoelectronics
$101K - $169K *
Develop high-speed optoelectronic devices for advanced optical communication systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to design, analyze, and test hardware, ensuring optimal performance from c...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Join a dynamic team as a Senior Applications Manager, providing technical leadership and support in complex engineering applications. Drive innovation, mentor engineers, and enhance customer solutions...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Elevate space technology by designing innovative optical systems for advanced power beaming spacecraft, ensuring optimal performance and reliability through research, prototyping, and multi-disciplina...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $150K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and precision assembly of innovative optical systems. Collaborate closely with engineers and physicists to create high-performance optical subsystems, ensuring a...
3 weeks ago
Principal Laser & Optical Project Engineer - Photonic Modules
$175K - $225K *
Elevate your career by leading the design and production of cutting-edge laser and photonic modules. Drive technical direction, manage cross-functional teams, and shape the future of quantum systems i...
Yesterday
Validation and Characterization Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Join our engineering team to validate and characterize innovative sensor technologies. Collaborate across functions to enhance product performance and reliability while managing multiple priorities in...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Engineer innovative optical module testing to enhance performance in data centers. Collaborate on lab setups, automation, and system validation to ensure the reliability and efficiency of next-gen AI...
3 weeks ago
Senior Photonics Process Development Engineer Packaging and Tooling
$125K - $175K *
Unlock potential by establishing scalable photonic manufacturing processes that enhance product performance and reliability while driving cost efficiencies. Collaborate in a hands-on engineering envir...
Reposted 1 month ago
$127K - $182K *
Lead the charge in developing cutting-edge optical systems for UV laser applications. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, build, and test innovative solutions that advance the future of energy...
1 week ago
$109K - $152K *
Lead innovative automation engineering projects for eyewear assembly, enhancing production efficiency and quality while collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement effective automation solu...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Field Applications Engineer-Optics
$80K - $148K *
Advance customer success by solving complex optical connectivity challenges. Collaborate with engineering and sales teams to promote innovative fiber optic solutions, drive design wins, and manage key...
Yesterday
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.