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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$80K - $95K *

Optimize product quality by leading quality engineering efforts in electronic telecommunications. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to investigate issues, implement corrective actions, and enhan...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$100K - $120K *

Lead technical initiatives in the fabrication of advanced cable assemblies, focusing on process improvement, validation, and quality. Ensure optimal operations through data analysis, metrics developme...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$180K - $220K *

Shape the future of high-speed interconnects and optics by driving innovative system architecture for AI and data centers, influencing technology direction, and mentoring teams for next-generation sol...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $155K *

Help us drive innovation in digital implementation and physical design, leveraging your expertise to enhance customer performance and engagement. Collaborate with design teams to ensure successful pro...

New York, NYIn-Person

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Shape the future of customer relationships by driving value and retention for large organizations, collaborating closely with sales and product teams to ensure success and growth through data-driven i...

United StatesRemote

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$86K - $165K *

Accelerate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on improving processes in a cutting-edge manufacturing cleanroom environment. Collaborate with engineers and leaders to enhance SMT and RF micr...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $132K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic data engineering team. Drive delivery, foster growth, and manage relationships with key stakeholders for successful data governance and access across the organ...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$90K - $132K *

Lead and mentor a diverse engineering team to deliver impactful data solutions, ensuring effective collaboration across stakeholders while fostering a culture of growth, innovation, and quality in dat...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$90K - $132K *

Transform data governance and engineering practices as you lead a dynamic team. Drive delivery, nurture talent, and collaborate with cross-functional partners to enhance data access and reliability fo...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Media

$160K - $240K *

Shape the future of autonomous aircraft by driving materials and manufacturing processes from concept to production, ensuring performance, compliance, and manufacturability in a dynamic interdisciplin...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$137K - $193K *

Unlock your potential as a Senior Mechanical Engineer, designing and testing cutting-edge electromechanical systems for aerospace applications. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure mission success...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in developing and sustaining global manufacturing test systems for high-volume camera products, collaborating with R&D to ensure quality and efficiency in production processes...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Develop high-speed signal integrity solutions for complex platforms, ensuring optimal performance from design to production. Collaborate cross-functionally, set parameters, mentor engineers, and refin...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's dedicated to building and operating a cutting-edge Product Design lab. You'll translate design concepts into reality, manage machining operations, and ensure safety and quality in a...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$153K - $245K *

Join a team that's at the forefront of developing next-generation Silicon Photonics test platforms. Drive technical strategy and execution across multidisciplinary teams, ensuring high-performance res...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$153K - $245K *

Join a dynamic team to lead the technical execution of next-gen Silicon Photonics platforms through multidisciplinary collaboration, ensuring high performance and manufacturability from concept to pro...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Join us to lead the technical roadmap for camera image quality in next-gen AI glasses and wearables. Drive enhancements through advanced technology, optimize imaging pipelines, and collaborate across...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's transforming manufacturing processes by optimizing workflows and driving efficiency. As a Senior Manufacturing Engineer, you'll lead pilot production, innovate solutions, and prepar...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$79K - $85K *

Unlock potential by leading manufacturing teams to achieve production goals, ensuring safety and quality standards are met across Test, Assembly, Clean Room, and Machine Shop operations while driving...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $210K *

Lead the integration and development of advanced avionics systems, collaborating across disciplines to ensure seamless functionality and performance in unmanned aerial vehicles. Drive innovation while...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Drive innovation in Manufacturing Engineering by supporting upgrades, troubleshooting, and repairs. Collaborate with engineers and line supervisors to maintain system integrity and enhance product qua...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Lead RF engineering efforts by designing, validating, and troubleshooting subsystems for advanced industrial equipment. Influence product development with innovative solutions while mentoring and supp...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$270K - $401K *

Join a dynamic team to design scalable network architectures for high-performance AI and data center environments. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability and performance while driving automati...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $125K *

Champion an innovative Systems Engineer role, collaborating with tech teams and vendors to advance product development, enhance designs, and tackle complex technical challenges in a dynamic environmen...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$125K - $234K *

Unlock potential by developing advanced signal/image processing algorithms and collaborating with engineers to enhance software solutions. This role requires expertise in classical techniques and AI/M...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.