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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$110K - $130K *

Join us in designing and integrating innovative thermal imaging systems into gimbal platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize optical performance from concept through production...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$188K - $274K *

Elevate your career by leading the development of precision optical components for AR/VR systems. Drive process innovation, manage vendor collaborations, and ensure manufacturing readiness for cutting...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Empower the development and integration of advanced optical systems, ensuring effective testing and collaboration across teams. Drive project success through hands-on expertise and strategic problem-s...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $150K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of precision optical systems. As a key engineer, you'll design and implement cutting-edge electronics, driving innovation from concept to production while collabo...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$104K - $231K *

Drive innovation in sensing technology as you solve real-time challenges, enhance products, and collaborate across teams in the semiconductor industry, all while developing your skills in a dynamic, c...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$200K - $275K *

Empower innovation by leading high-speed fiber optic transceiver design. Drive engineering initiatives, manage supplier relationships, and ensure compliance for optimal performance in a collaborative...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $180K *

Drive the optical engineering function by leading the Optics Department, ensuring strategic alignment, program execution, and cross-functional collaboration for next-gen augmented reality systems...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$150K - $180K *

Optimize optical engineering leadership by driving strategy, mentoring teams, and ensuring seamless integration of advanced optical systems across augmented reality platforms, while fostering innovati...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$137K - $200K *

Drive manufacturing excellence by leading a dynamic engineering team focused on process optimization, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration to enhance production performance and e...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$95K - $115K *

Lead the design and execution of environmental test campaigns for advanced aerospace platforms, ensuring system performance and reliability in extreme conditions through effective planning and team co...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$138K - $190K *

Optimize and integrate advanced systems in the semiconductor field, collaborating with teams to solve complex challenges. Utilize your expertise in optical design to drive innovation and ensure the hi...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's delivering cutting-edge AI algorithms for diverse applications in the site-monitoring sector. Innovate, maintain, and enhance services in a collaborative environment focused on rese...

Mississauga, ONIn-Person

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$91K - $120K *

Drive AI application development by collaborating with stakeholders to transform business challenges into innovative software solutions, enhancing workflows and delivering measurable value across the...

4 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $150K *

Deliver exceptional technical solutions by collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance customer integrations and accelerate their success with innovative AI technology, ensuring seamless work...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Legal & Accounting

$100K - $150K *

Contribute to the development of optical solutions by leveraging your electrical engineering expertise. Engage with customers to resolve technical challenges, validate hardware, and support product qu...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$150K - $260K *

Join a team that architects and builds optical test systems, driving quality assurance for advanced technology products. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure robust testing solutions and support m...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$100K - $120K *

Unlock innovation as you design and enhance advanced optical sensor systems, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to drive precision in semiconductor manufacturing and support cutting-edge techn...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$112K - $160K *

Shape the future of mechanical component engineering by driving design, qualification, and lifecycle management for critical components in optical and electronic products, ensuring performance, reliab...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$112K - $160K *

Drive the technical selection and lifecycle management of electronic components, ensuring quality and reliability in product designs. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet performance and re...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Help us innovate space technology by designing and integrating opto-mechanical systems for advanced spacecraft, enabling the development of orbital power networks and ensuring flawless performance thr...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$116K - $182K *

Join a team that's shaping next-gen EO/IR systems through innovative firmware design. Leverage your expertise in both digital and analog electronics to architect, build, and test prototypes while coll...

Reposted 3 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$210K - $289K *

Innovate by leading a high-performance Optical Engineering team, driving complex R&D projects, and enhancing system designs. Collaborate with stakeholders for groundbreaking optical solutions while me...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   15+ years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$185K - $344K *

Lead a dynamic team of engineers in designing and developing advanced optical systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet mission objectives while managing staffing and sustaining enginee...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$185K - $344K *

Lead the charge in designing and managing optical systems, guiding a team of engineers to innovate and deliver high-performance optical payload hardware while ensuring alignment with mission objective...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$126K - $210K *

Lead the design and development of advanced optoelectronic systems, collaborating across disciplines to create innovative products. Drive technical excellence and support technology roadmaps while ens...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 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.