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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$120K - $145K *

Manage electrical subsystems for advanced robotics, overseeing design, integration, and debugging from concept to production, ensuring reliability in challenging environments and mentoring junior engi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$160K - $200K *

Collaborate across teams to drive the development and integration of advanced airborne systems. Lead requirements management and design efforts to ensure technical performance and mission readiness th...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$75K - $87K *

Join a team that champions superior customer service through expert technical support. Drive product installations, upgrades, and maintenance while ensuring top-tier client satisfaction and operationa...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$167K - $188K *

Lead cross-functional teams to optimize delivery and operational efficiency in a complex, agile environment. Drive the execution of foundational data analytics platforms, ensuring alignment with organ...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$88K - $105K *

Drive accuracy in mechanical engineering documentation by reviewing and verifying drawings, ensuring compliance with standards, and collaborating with design engineers to enhance engineering practices...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$200K - $322K *

Lead the charge in developing innovative verification strategies for next-gen servers, ensuring outstanding functionality and performance through collaboration with cross-functional teams and advanced...

5 days ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Take ownership of sensor integration, firmware development, and driver maintenance for advanced perception systems. Collaborate across teams to ensure optimal performance and reliability in embedded h...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $120K *

Elevate manufacturing efficiency by leading MES implementation and management. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data systems and train staff, ensuring optimal operations and complian...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $181K *

Join a team that's dedicated to ensuring product quality and compliance. As a Senior Operations Quality Engineer, you'll drive continuous improvement initiatives and collaborate with cross-functional...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Support cutting-edge optical performance modeling by owning link/power budgets and executing system-level simulations, ensuring optimal accuracy and throughput for innovative computing platforms in a...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion the development of cutting-edge modem algorithms for our satellite communications platform, collaborating with engineers across disciplines to ensure robust integration and performance valida...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$109K - $210K *

Join as a technical leader, overseeing automation and controls projects across multiple manufacturing sites. Drive innovation, enhance capabilities, and partner with teams to shape future manufacturin...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in transforming healthcare challenges into innovative, user-friendly products. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance patient access and streamline workflows, driving impac...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$85K - $105K *

Champion the development and optimization of chemical manufacturing processes, ensuring smooth transitions from lab research to full-scale production while collaborating across teams to achieve commer...

Scarborough, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K - $100K *

Lead the charge in enhancing supplier quality across global operations. Drive supplier performance improvements, manage risk, and ensure compliance in the medical device and aerospace sectors while co...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping innovative mobile applications across Android, Linux, and Windows. Collaborate in a fast-paced environment to create impactful solutions that enhance user experiences and st...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $115K *

Drive your career with innovative manufacturing solutions, leading process improvements and product launches. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance efficiency and quality while mentoring...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$129K - $171K *

Champion production excellence by swiftly troubleshooting and resolving in-line issues, ensuring seamless operations on the imaging production floor while driving continuous improvement and collaborat...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Lead the charge in clinical operations by managing study planning, execution, and oversight. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure compliance and quality throughout the clinical trial lifecycle, dr...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$130K - $155K *

Drive innovation by collaborating with a multidisciplinary team to design and develop cutting-edge fiber optic transceivers, ensuring high performance and reliability from concept to production...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$137K - $193K *

Champion innovative electrical systems for advanced aerospace projects, from design to deployment. Lead multidisciplinary teams in developing reliable mixed-signal and embedded hardware, enhancing nex...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $110K *

Seeking a skilled Control Systems Engineer to design and implement automated control systems for advanced gas purification equipment, enhancing performance and reliability through innovative solutions...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$200K - $240K *

Drive innovative backend solutions for autonomous vehicles, enhancing command-and-control systems through the development of robust, asynchronous services. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to e...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$105K - $189K *

Explore your potential as a key contributor to the development of advanced electromechanical systems through detailed CAD modeling and design of complex assemblies, from concept through production, en...

Austin, TXRemote

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$105K - $189K *

Advance your career by designing and documenting complex mechanical systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to produce high-quality CAD models and drawings while overseeing the complete produ...

Reposted 2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

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.