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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$160K - $190K *

Lead and develop a high-performing engineering team through complex financial landscapes. Collaborate cross-functionally to make strategic decisions while driving technical credibility and team perfor...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$150K - $180K *

Join a team that's transforming financial technology by leading engineering in complex environments. You'll drive cross-functional collaboration, deepen technical expertise with AI, and develop high-p...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$132K - $176K *

Lead the charge in developing firmware and electronics for complex electromechanical systems in medical devices, ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards while collaborating with cross-fu...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$138K - $165K *

Advance your career by leading the architectural evolution of PMIC and mixed-signal products. Drive the full development lifecycle, mentor engineers, and collaborate with customers to create innovativ...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$204K - $310K *

Transform enterprise systems by architecting robust infrastructures that drive scalable, secure AI-driven scientific solutions for global organizations. Lead with high autonomy in a dynamic environmen...

Reposted 4 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$115K - $215K *

Elevate your career by researching and developing innovative 3D printing materials. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to experiment, validate, and enhance materials for various applications in d...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$115K - $215K *

Advance your career in revolutionary materials science by developing cutting-edge materials for 3D printing through innovation, rigorous experimentation, and collaboration with engineers and product t...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$100K - $150K *

Drive quality excellence by leading engineering functions, ensuring compliance, and fostering continuous improvement across manufacturing processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$140K - $175K *

Lead the charge in defining and implementing procurement strategies for our innovative space startup, driving competitive advantages in the electrical supply chain while coaching a high-performance te...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$160K - $200K *

Join a dynamic team to architect cutting-edge software for perception stacks, driving technical direction and collaboration across hardware and software teams to deliver reliable, high-performance pro...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to design and validate RF components for advanced optical modulators, integrating cutting-edge technology at mmWave frequencies in a collaborative, fast-paced environment...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in optimizing photolithography processes within a fast-paced semiconductor manufacturing environment, focusing on equipment performance, maintenance, and cross-functional collaboration...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in enhancing manufacturing processes to drive efficiency and innovation. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring new electro-mechanical products to market while resolving prod...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$148K - $203K *

Champion the growth of DUV glass products by leading strategy, lifecycle management, and cross-functional collaboration to drive profitability and innovation in the semiconductor materials sector...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Lead innovative engineering solutions to enhance defense systems, ensuring compliance and effectiveness throughout the acquisition lifecycle. Collaborate with diverse teams to tackle complex challenge...

6 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$144K - $270K *

Join a team that's building advanced AI-driven platforms by designing and optimizing backend systems and data pipelines. Collaborate with researchers to create scalable solutions that enhance scientif...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of space technology by leading digital hardware design and development for advanced spacecraft systems. Collaborate with engineers to ensure high-reliability solutions that meet evolv...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Drive innovation in computer vision by optimizing software, advancing 3D solutions, and ensuring seamless hardware integration within an agile engineering team...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $169K *

Shape the future of ocular health by leading the Digital Twin of Eye project. Collaborate with R&D leaders to create advanced simulations that drive innovation in medical devices and therapies, while...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$108K - $163K *

Lead the development and optimization of manual assembly processes for microelectronics, collaborating across disciplines to enhance quality and efficiency in a fast-paced manufacturing environment...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Transform the future of robotic design by owning aesthetic and structural integrity throughout product lifecycles, driving innovation in materials and manufacturing processes while collaborating acros...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $150K *

Tackle complex challenges as a Senior Mission Integration Engineer, ensuring customer success from engine delivery to flight. Collaborate closely with clients, lead technical reviews, and support hand...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$88K - $105K *

Develop and implement test strategies for Automated Test Equipment, ensuring quality and efficiency in manufacturing. Collaborate with R&D for new product introductions and enhance productivity throug...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $140K *

Lead the charge in enhancing supplier quality through rigorous assessments, process improvements, and cross-functional collaboration, ensuring excellence in new product introductions and ongoing suppl...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$157K - $212K *

Transform the future of semiconductor technology by developing cutting-edge gallium nitride epitaxial processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize product designs and ensure high-yie...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 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.