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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$14K - $322K *

Design cutting-edge computer vision algorithms to enhance autonomous vehicle perception, integrating geometry and imaging systems to translate real-world input into actionable insights, from motion es...

1 month ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $175K *

Join a cutting-edge team as a Lead Firmware Engineer, overseeing embedded systems design, development, and debugging. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, mentor engineers, and tackle comp...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$100K - $200K *

Tackle the intersection of engineering and filmmaking as a product engineer. Collaborate with founders on innovative strategies, creating AI-driven tools that revolutionize creative workflows and user...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's pioneering advanced manufacturing processes for modular nuclear reactors. Leverage your expertise in engineering to optimize production methods, mentor others, and drive continuous...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $125K *

Unlock potential by overseeing the development and testing of DC-DC power products while ensuring production goals are met through effective troubleshooting and analysis. Collaborate with teams to enh...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$191K - $253K *

Take ownership of fielded imaging systems, ensuring their health and uptime. Collaborate across teams to diagnose issues, develop reliable services, and support customer integrations in a dynamic envi...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$128K - $201K *

Champion the development of cutting-edge firmware for advanced SSD technology, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and reliability while adhering to Agile methodol...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$114K - $171K *

Drive technical leadership in the lifecycle of complex electronic assemblies, ensuring quality and reliability through collaboration and innovative problem-solving in a dynamic engineering environment...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$102K - $179K *

Champion operational excellence in a high-volume manufacturing environment, ensuring delivery targets are met through effective collaboration, continuous improvement, and leadership across multiple te...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$150K - $180K *

Deliver exceptional user experiences by leading end-to-end application development. Collaborate on product direction, enhance systems, and implement best practices to ensure high-quality, scalable sof...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Elevate user experiences by leading innovative software development projects across frontend and backend systems, ensuring high-quality, scalable applications that drive customer satisfaction and busi...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$100K - $120K *

Pioneer innovative electrical designs and product development, leading cross-functional teams to deliver high-quality solutions. Engage in prototyping, testing, integration, and troubleshooting to pus...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$108K - $130K *

Drive the design and implementation of advanced communications systems for transportation projects, ensuring seamless integration and compliance with industry standards while collaborating with multid...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$85K - $149K *

Build advanced testing strategies and analyze data to enhance product reliability. Collaborate with design teams, develop validation plans, and conduct root cause analysis to drive improvements and en...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$179K *

Engineer and advance high-fidelity process models and techno-economic analyses. Collaborate with leaders in commercialization to optimize copper extraction processes and enhance business value through...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$116K - $159K *

Champion quality excellence by leading product evaluation and control initiatives. Collaborate with teams to enhance quality systems, ensuring compliance and efficiency in manufacturing processes whil...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $250K *

Engineer innovative thermal control systems for spacecraft, overseeing design, implementation, and testing. Collaborate closely with design teams to ensure manufacturability and produce high-quality p...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic R&D team to lead thermal engineering projects, driving innovative solutions for advanced electronics. Collaborate with cross-functional experts to develop thermal management materials t...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$60K - $108K *

Optimize order management processes to ensure timely, accurate processing of customer purchase orders, invoicing, and compliance with revenue recognition policies while fostering collaboration across...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$108K - $130K *

Unlock quality excellence in analytical testing! Lead improvements and ensure compliance across systems, while fostering a quality-focused culture in a collaborative lab environment. Drive efficiency...

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $204K *

Architect innovative avionics software solutions, collaborating on design and testing. Leverage your expertise in embedded systems and certification processes to solve complex challenges and enhance f...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$135K - $204K *

Unlock innovation by leading software engineering efforts, focusing on design, development, and verification of complex avionics systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product qua...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$80K - $95K *

Analyze product performance and enhance reliability, ensuring mature products meet customer needs and regulatory standards while maximizing profitability and sustainability throughout their lifecycle...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$170K - $200K *

Elevate your career by leading RF and electrical design for innovative satellite systems. Oversee a talented team while driving the development of cutting-edge RF payloads and ensuring mission success...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$78K - $117K *

Champion the transition of advanced optical technologies into high-quality production. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize manufacturing processes, support new product introductions, a...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.