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.
Director of Manufacturing Engineering, EW
$220K - $292K *
Champion the manufacturing engineering function, driving strategy and innovation to ensure high-quality production of electromechanical defense systems. Lead a dynamic team, optimize processes, and en...
6 days ago
$138K - $165K *
Champion innovative physical design solutions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure timely ASIC chip implementation, while addressing challenges in synthesis, PNR, and verification proc...
2 weeks ago
$184K - $205K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of connectivity by developing embedded firmware and software for advanced products. You'll lead projects from architecture to deployment, collaborating across tea...
2 weeks ago
Software Engineering Manager, GPU Reliability
$207K - $300K *
Lead and inspire a team of software engineers to drive AI innovation, optimize GPU infrastructure, and enhance product strategy while managing large-scale projects across multiple teams and locations...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's redefining product development by taking ownership of outcomes. Engage directly with customers, drive product decisions, and iterate quickly to deliver impactful solutions in a fast...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Dynamics Analysis Engineer
$135K - $200K *
Elevate spacecraft performance by leading structural dynamics analysis for mechanisms. Collaborate across engineering disciplines to ensure reliability from launch to orbit, developing finite element...
1 week ago
Senior Dynamics Analysis Engineer
$135K - $200K *
Drive structural dynamics analysis for spacecraft mechanisms, ensuring reliability from launch to orbit. Collaborate across engineering disciplines to develop finite element models and translate resul...
1 week ago
Senior/Principal R&D Systems Engineer - Space-Based Remote Sensing Researcher, Onsite
$117K - $235K *
Innovate in remote sensing research by leading complex projects, implementing cutting-edge solutions, and driving technical excellence in space-based applications. Collaborate with multidisciplinary t...
1 week ago
$115K - $158K *
Deliver innovative AI solutions by designing, building, and deploying scalable models across various business functions, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance operational efficiency and...
1 week ago
$115K - $158K *
Join a team that's transforming operations through AI solutions, enhancing supply chain, procurement, and engineering. Drive innovation by developing scalable applications that integrate seamlessly wi...
1 week ago
$115K - $158K *
Lead the development and deployment of AI applications to enhance commercial workflows, driving revenue growth and customer insights through innovative solutions and collaboration with cross-functiona...
1 week ago
Head of Manufacturing Engineering
$175K - $300K *
Elevate your career by leading global operations strategy and execution. Drive manufacturing, supply chain, and logistics excellence while expanding product capabilities and unlocking growth opportuni...
2 days ago
Senior Electrical Design Engineer
$160K - $215K *
Innovate cutting-edge electrical systems for advanced robotics, collaborating across teams to design, debug, and integrate solutions that drive the future of humanoid technology. Your expertise will s...
6 days ago
Field Application Engineer- RF, Silicon Photonics (SEG; San Jose, CA)
$139K - $223K *
Transform semiconductor testing by developing innovative solutions for RF, SoC, and mixed-signal devices. Collaborate with teams to enhance test processes and optimize customer throughput while buildi...
2 weeks ago
Staff Engineer, Power Electronics
$150K - $185K *
Drive technical excellence in spacecraft avionics by establishing architecture standards, managing risks, and mentoring teams to ensure timely delivery of flight-grade hardware across multiple program...
Yesterday
$82K - $220K *
Join a team that's redefining national security programs by translating mission objectives into actionable requirements. Leverage your expertise in systems engineering and mentoring to drive innovativ...
3 weeks ago
$82K - $220K *
Advance national security initiatives by leading requirements engineering and model-based systems engineering efforts, mentoring teams, and driving innovative solutions that align with strategic objec...
3 weeks ago
$82K - $220K *
Contribute to national security programs by translating mission goals into detailed requirements, guiding innovative solutions, mentoring teams, and driving strategic alignment within projects. Bring...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineering Manager, Clients Team
$242K - $275K *
Lead the charge in developing and deploying robust containerized software, manage CI/CD workflows, and grow a cohesive engineering team to enhance customer security operations and software delivery ac...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Sheet Metal & Tube Forming
$140K - $180K *
Lead the charge in advancing metal forming processes, from feasibility to production. Collaborate cross-functionally to develop and implement innovative manufacturing solutions, ensuring high-quality...
1 week ago
Quality Engineer, Electronics/Manufacturing
$80K - $95K *
Elevate quality standards by leading initiatives from product introduction to manufacturing. Collaborate with engineering to enhance processes, conduct audits, and mentor teams, ensuring compliance an...
2 days ago
Principal RF Components Engineer
$219K - $280K *
Lead the development and validation of RF components for satellite systems, ensuring robust performance and reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define specifications, conduct rigor...
1 week ago
$170K - $190K *
Optimize the future of automated classification systems through advanced software engineering. Leverage AI technologies within an agile environment to enhance national security information management...
3 weeks ago
Senior Product Engineer - HYBRID
$180K - $250K *
Transform complex challenges into scalable products. In this senior role, leverage your full-stack expertise to drive product development from concept to production, ensuring quality and user experien...
6 days ago
Senior Engineer, Manufacturing Engineering
$100K - $120K *
Pioneer manufacturing excellence by implementing automation solutions that enhance efficiency, quality, and profitability while leading capital projects and driving process improvements in a dynamic c...
Reposted 3 days 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.