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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$161K - $299K *

Engineer advanced software solutions for physical verification in semiconductor design, driving innovation and ensuring accuracy. Collaborate with a global team to solve complex challenges and enhance...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Drive the development of innovative evaluation methodologies and peak performance benchmarks in reinforcement learning, collaborating with diverse teams to shape cutting-edge solutions for frontier la...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$160K - $190K *

Unlock potential by driving innovative VR and AR solutions through advanced computer vision algorithms. Lead cross-functional teams to enhance efficiency and deliver impactful software for consumer de...

5 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Join an innovative team focused on defining and measuring frontier model capabilities through evaluation methodologies and robust reinforcement learning environments, influencing decision-making in hi...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$162K - $195K *

Drive innovation in imaging technology by architecting advanced image sensor solutions. Collaborate across disciplines to translate product goals into silicon requirements, tackling complex challenges...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $300K *

Take ownership of building user-focused AI products as a full-stack Product Engineer. Drive technical direction, design APIs, and integrate AI capabilities while collaborating with cross-functional te...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$191K - $253K *

Develop cutting-edge software solutions for on-orbit operations, leading teams to enhance mission systems and integrate with diverse space technologies, ensuring robust capabilities for defense and in...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$207K - $300K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and architecture of embedded systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define software architecture and drive pre-silicon validation strategies for inn...

4 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Drive innovation by providing technical guidance to ODMs with expertise in semiconductor design, focusing on PCIe/CXL products and enhancing collaboration with internal teams to improve both products...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$180K - $280K *

Elevate software operations by designing and building robust applications and services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance reliability, streamline deployment, and improve system observ...

4 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$125K - $140K *

Innovate the future of electrical hardware design from concept to certification. Lead cross-disciplinary teams while taking ownership through all stages of product development, mentoring peers, and en...

Calgary, ABIn-Person

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$101K - $131K *

Unlock potential by driving manufacturing excellence through process optimization, Lean practices, and cross-functional collaboration. This role enhances production efficiency and quality for advanced...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $185K *

Shape the future of testing innovations by leading critical assembly test projects, analyzing risks, and ensuring compliance with safety and quality standards to propel engineering excellence and acce...

4 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$180K - $350K *

Optimize the product experience across various interfaces, driving user engagement through effective design and user interactions. Collaborate with engineers, researchers, and customers to ensure intu...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Transform your career by driving market development in quantum technology. Engage with strategic accounts and forge strong relationships while identifying new business opportunities and expanding exis...

United StatesRemote

Reposted yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Unlock advanced photomask inspection solutions by developing and optimizing processes for defect detection and classification, driving quality improvements, and collaborating across teams to enhance m...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $190K *

Lead the development of innovative AI/ML solutions, collaborating with executives to create impactful products that enhance user experiences and drive sales team engagement. Mentor a growing engineeri...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$180K - $280K *

Drive the design and development of advanced test systems for cutting-edge UAV technology. Collaborate across teams to ensure reliability and performance in extreme environments, while mentoring junio...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$168K - $327K *

Pioneer partnerships in the autonomous vehicle sensor ecosystem, guiding supplier engagements from evaluation to qualification. Collaborate across teams to ensure technology alignment and drive succes...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$112K - $140K *

Lead the charge in enhancing operations for product fabrication and assembly. Drive cost-saving improvements and optimize efficiency by troubleshooting issues and implementing best practices within a...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$90K - $118K *

Unlock potential by leading the design and development of mechanical components for probe cards, ensuring manufacturability and reliability while collaborating across teams to drive innovation from co...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$145K - $180K *

Drive your career with a pioneering startup focused on high-performance metal castings. Lead the development of innovative foundry processes and equipment to impact aerospace and defense industries, e...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$200K - $230K *

Transform the calibration landscape by ensuring our capture devices maintain precision post-factory. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to build robust systems that monitor and correct drift, enh...

Toronto, ONIn-Person

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$200K - $230K *

Transform the calibration landscape for cutting-edge capture devices, ensuring precision and reliability across the fleet. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance SLAM/VIO systems and drive...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$100K - $150K *

Drive your career forward by maintaining and enhancing production test equipment. Serve as a key technical contact, ensuring operational readiness and troubleshooting complex systems to support effici...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

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.