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.
Sr. Principal Software Engineer, Physical Verification
$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
$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
Software Engineer, Computer Vision (Technical Leadership)
$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
$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
Image Sensor Architect, Camera Hardware
$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
$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
Senior Orbital Software Engineer, Space
$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
Staff Embedded Software Engineer, Pixel Interfaces
$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
AE| Principal Product Application Engineer (Scorpio)
$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
Senior II/ Staff Software Engineer, Platform Operations
$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
Senior Electrical Engineer (Hardware Design)
$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...
4 weeks ago
Senior Production Manufacturing Engineer
$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
Senior Test Planning Engineer - Assembly
$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
$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
$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...
Reposted yesterday
Senior Reticle Pattern Inspection Process Engineer
$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
Staff Machine Learning Engineer
$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
Staff Engineer, Electrical Integration & Test (R5204)
$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
Senior Automotive Sensor Ecosystem Manager
$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
$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
$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
Senior Casting Process Engineer - Metallurgy & Solidification
$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
Senior Online Calibration & SLAM Engineer - On-Site
$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...
6 days ago
Senior Online Calibration & SLAM Engineer - On-Site
$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
$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
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.