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.
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join our team to design and develop cutting-edge embedded software for optical networking products. Collaborate with engineers, coach junior staff, and enhance product performance while ensuring docum...
2 days ago
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Unlock potential by designing and developing embedded software solutions, enhancing product performance, and mentoring junior engineers while collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovat...
2 days ago
Principal Embedded Software Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Grow your career with a dynamic team focused on developing innovative embedded software solutions for optical networking, enhancing product performance, and mentoring junior engineers while engaging w...
2 days ago
Electro-Optics Systems Engineer II (Onsite)
$75K - $144K *
Drive innovation in electro-optical systems engineering, contributing to advanced designs and architectures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to develop and verify cutting-edge technologies in...
Reposted 5 days ago
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Battery Systems
$147K - $196K *
Invent innovative manufacturing processes for battery systems in a dynamic team. Collaborate with engineers to optimize production and ensure quality while driving continuous improvement in a fast-pac...
Today
Senior Software Engineer - Camera
$123K - $185K *
Seeking an experienced engineer to design and optimize Windows camera drivers, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance imaging solutions on Snapdragon platforms and deliver exceptional ca...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - Camera
$123K - $185K *
Join our team to design and develop innovative Windows camera drivers and imaging solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance camera experiences on Qualcomm Snapdragon platforms, dri...
6 days ago
Senior Software Engineer - Camera
$123K - $185K *
Innovate in camera software engineering by developing advanced imaging features, optimizing performance, and collaborating with partners across diverse ecosystems. Join a dynamic team to shape the fut...
6 days ago
$155K - $165K *
Lead the charge in designing advanced electronic systems for innovative medical devices, enhancing product performance and compliance through expertise in circuit design, PCB layout, and cross-functio...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Engineer innovative actuation solutions for solar-powered unmanned aircraft. Lead design, verification, and supplier management while ensuring alignment of requirements and interfaces across products...
Today
Senior Radiation Effects Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Champion the development of radiation hardness assurance for space systems, overseeing testing, risk management, and product road-mapping. Collaborate with engineers and customers to ensure reliabilit...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in systems engineering support for advanced technology programs, driving mission performance improvements through analysis, risk management, and technical expertise in radar and electr...
4 days ago
Principal Hardware Design Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Drive the design of cutting-edge GPU server infrastructure, optimizing performance and reliability. Collaborate with vendors and teams to shape hardware standards for a rapidly expanding AI platform...
2 weeks ago
Principal Hardware Engineer, Analog & RF
$180K - $230K *
Transform complex analog and RF circuit designs into high-performance hardware. Lead board-level design, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure manufacturability while mentoring junior en...
1 week ago
Senior Technical Program Manager, Data Center PhysICS and OT Health
$240K - $333K *
Transform the future of data center security by leading strategic programs that enhance operational technology health and infrastructure controls. Drive innovation and manage a global team to ensure r...
4 days ago
Sr. Process Development Engineer
$79K - $119K *
Advance your career by leading innovative process development in advanced packaging. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing processes, drive yield improvements, and optimize...
5 days ago
Electro-Optical Engineer Staff IV
$135K - $251K *
Innovate in the field of electro-optics, leading development and design for advanced laser technologies. Drive application analysis and electronic circuit design, ensuring products meet specific mecha...
4 weeks ago
$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
$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
Technical Fellow - High-Speed Interconnect & Optics
$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
$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...
4 days ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$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...
3 weeks ago
$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
$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
$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
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.