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.

Remote
caret down
Compensation
caret down
Position Level
caret down
Time Posted
caret down
Industries
caret down
Locations
caret down
More
1
caret down

$185K - $344K *

Lead the charge in designing and managing optical systems, guiding a team of engineers to innovate and deliver high-performance optical payload hardware while ensuring alignment with mission objective...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$126K - $210K *

Lead the design and development of advanced optoelectronic systems, collaborating across disciplines to create innovative products. Drive technical excellence and support technology roadmaps while ens...

2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$101K - $169K *

Innovate advanced optical packaging solutions for photonics systems. Lead design, integration, and automation of precision optical assemblies, ensuring reliability and performance across multiple engi...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$164K - $269K *

Drive innovation in photonics by architecting and developing advanced components for high-speed optical communication systems, optimizing performance, and leading research initiatives to define next-g...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$130K - $155K *

Engineer cutting-edge PAM4 optical transceivers for data centers and AI/ML applications. Lead cross-functional teams from design to production, ensuring compliance and performance through innovative s...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$95K - $115K *

Execute end-to-end optical design for AI compute clusters, ensuring optimal fiber layout, link performance, and connectivity. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance efficiency and reliab...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Engage in cutting-edge optical engineering for AI compute clusters, overseeing fiber design, link budgets, and interconnect testing. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance efficiency and...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$84K - $130K *

Lead a dynamic team of Optical Design Engineers to innovate and implement cutting-edge DWDM network solutions, ensuring project success and exceeding performance targets while collaborating across dep...

United StatesRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$135K - $160K *

Pioneer cutting-edge optical solutions by leveraging multidisciplinary skills. Lead diverse development phases, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and drive innovative algorithms to elevate perf...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$91K - $174K *

Engage with customers to solve complex optical connectivity challenges, driving design wins and managing key relationships. Collaborate with engineering and marketing teams to promote innovative optic...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$175K - $275K *

Partner with us to design and validate cutting-edge photonic components, collaborating with global teams to advance silicon photonics technology for next-generation optical solutions in data centers a...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$97K - $133K *

Shape the future of quantum technologies by developing and implementing innovative test procedures for photonic circuits. Collaborate with a diverse team to enhance device performance and drive contin...

Coquitlam, BCIn-Person

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$81K - $150K *

Unlock potential by designing and testing advanced electro-optical systems for military applications, enhancing fire control and missile technologies while collaborating in a dynamic R&D environment t...

Reposted yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Develop high-level electro-optics engineering solutions by leading complex projects. Oversee design implementation, collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, and engage with customers to enhance produ...

4 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$100K - $120K *

Shape the future of manufacturing by leading vision system projects from design through deployment. Utilize your expertise in software and hardware integration to deliver innovative machine vision sol...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Lead the charge in integrating optical devices and modules by collaborating with R&D, manufacturing, and reliability teams to enhance product performance, resolve technical challenges, and facilitate...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$161K - $221K *

Drive the development of advanced photonic devices for quantum computing, translating system requirements into scalable solutions. Collaborate with physicists and engineers to enhance device performan...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$135K - $160K *

Partner with us to drive the development and optimization of precision opto-mechanical assembly processes, ensuring high yields and quality in silicon photonic packaging and production. Lead cross-fun...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$80K - $95K *

Drive innovative projects in microoptics manufacturing, overseeing processes from photolithography to yield analysis. Collaborate with teams to ensure project success while managing risks and implemen...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$128K - $176K *

Shape innovative mechanical solutions by leveraging your expertise in design, analysis, and integration. Collaborate across teams to tackle complex engineering challenges and drive product development...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$117K - $172K *

Transform semiconductor manufacturing by advancing optical technologies through high-impact work, optimizing inspection systems, and ensuring precision in high-volume processes. Collaborate with a mul...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$85K - $100K *

Collaborate to deliver cutting-edge solutions in high-speed electrical design, focusing on optical interconnect products for data centers. Drive compliance, project planning, and technical documentati...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$110K - $130K *

Develop and own pulsed laser transmitters, integrating off-the-shelf and custom solutions while ensuring performance, safety, and production readiness. Collaborate with engineers to meet specification...

Yesterday

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$86K - $181K *

Support a team of optical engineers in designing, testing, and analyzing optical systems. Collaborate across disciplines, gain hands-on experience, and lead solutions on complex projects within the op...

Reposted 5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$95K - $115K *

Join a team that shapes the future of fiber optic testing by defining manufacturing processes, collaborating with global teams, and driving continuous improvement in production efficiency and quality...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

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.