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.
$140K - $260K *
Take ownership of high-performance SOC implementation, leading a team to optimize designs, ensure timing closure, and collaborate with RTL and verification teams for successful tape-out...
1 week ago
$140K - $260K *
Transform complex SOC designs by leading implementation, verification, and timing closure efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure high-performance hardware meets industry standards...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Drive the verification strategy and execution for complex ASIC projects, ensuring high functional coverage and robust test environments. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver quality solu...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $260K *
Shape the future of high-speed wireline communications by developing advanced transceiver components through numerical modeling and collaboration with cross-functional teams to optimize system perform...
2 weeks ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of semiconductor verification. Leverage your expertise in SystemVerilog and UVM to lead DV execution, design robust test environments, and ensure high-quality ASI...
2 weeks ago
$140K - $260K *
Grow your career with a team of innovators shaping high-speed transceiver technology. Engage in numerical modeling and architecture, collaborating across disciplines to optimize performance and guide...
3 weeks ago
$112K - $208K *
Solve complex engineering challenges by guiding transceiver component choices using mathematical and computer modeling. Collaborate across teams to optimize system performance and contribute to cuttin...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Lead the design and integration of innovative IP solutions in SoCs, ensuring quality through rigorous checks, synthesis constraints, and collaboration with teams for optimal performance and automation...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Power and Performance Validation Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Drive validation strategies for advanced AI compute silicon, ensuring power, thermal, and performance efficiency. Collaborate across engineering disciplines to deliver robust methodologies and actiona...
1 week ago
Liquid Instruments - Associate Product Marketing Engineer, Optics & Photonics
$95K - $115K *
Elevate your career by owning product marketing for cutting-edge photonics solutions. Create impactful technical content and demos, engage with customers, and drive sales enablement to position Moku a...
1 week ago
Senior Electrical Engineer - Controls (Pointing, Acquisition & Tracking)
$110K - $130K *
Champion the development of advanced PAT controls for spacecraft, overseeing design, implementation, and verification processes. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure optimal performance in space-t...
1 week ago
Principal Software Engineer, Manipulation
$150K - $180K *
Join a high-impact team to advance robotic manipulation capabilities, defining the architecture and technical direction. Lead the development of sophisticated motion planning and control software for...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $125K *
Lead quality initiatives to enhance manufacturing processes, ensuring compliance and driving product improvements. Collaborate across teams to prevent issues and support new product introductions for...
Reposted 1 week ago
Quality / Reliability Engineer
$80K - $95K *
Unlock potential by leading quality improvement initiatives for engine and thermal systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze warranty data, develop solutions, and enhance product rel...
6 days ago
$200K - $275K *
Join a dynamic team to lead software engineering efforts, driving scalable, secure applications for federal solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to tackle mission-critical challenges in...
4 days ago
$130K - $170K *
Join a team that's redefining power systems for space missions. Lead the design, integration, and testing of critical electrical power subsystems, ensuring reliability and performance in challenging o...
1 week ago
$138K - $165K *
Transform the future of advanced packaging by leading collaborative innovation initiatives, driving joint development projects, and enhancing operational efficiency across diverse teams and partners t...
4 days ago
Senior Engineer, Embedded Android Systems Development
$115K - $185K *
Lead the charge in developing cutting-edge embedded systems for audio products. Collaborate cross-functionally to design, optimize, and implement innovative solutions, ensuring high performance and re...
4 days ago
New Product Introduction Engineer - Optical Assemblies 1
$82K - $123K *
Unlock your potential as a key player in enhancing optical connector manufacturing processes. Collaborate on innovative solutions that drive efficiency and quality across advanced production technolog...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$138K - $296K *
Champion the advancement of RF Engineering teams to deliver innovative, high-reliability RF semiconductor solutions. Drive strategic initiatives, oversee product lifecycle, and nurture future leaders...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Sr. Staff Product Manager (Photonics)
$214K - $286K *
Unlock potential by leading product strategy and lifecycle management for silicon photonics solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive market adoption and establish strategic partners...
2 weeks ago
Sr. Staff Product Manager (Photonics)
$214K - $286K *
Elevate your career by leading product strategy and lifecycle management for cutting-edge silicon photonics solutions. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive market adoption and establish st...
2 weeks ago
$64K - $137K *
Elevate your career by developing and enhancing manufacturing processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement new technologies, optimize production, and ensure compliance with industry...
1 week ago
$100K - $130K *
Drive product and process quality through risk-based decisions, data analysis, and effective corrective actions. Collaborate across teams to enhance quality standards while leading investigations into...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Silicon Circuit Co-Design Engineer
$168K - $264K *
Lead the charge in validating and optimizing advanced circuits for safety and performance. Collaborate with design, architecture, and product teams to enhance reliability, utilizing AI tools and exten...
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.