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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$116K - $174K *

Elevate your career by leading a skilled team of laser specialists to drive precision inspections and tooling projects, ensuring timely and high-quality production for next-gen aerospace vehicles. Col...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$120K - $145K *

Join a dynamic team as you shape product strategy, drive customer engagement, and connect technical innovation with market needs. Collaborate across functions to translate complex concepts into viable...

Reposted 1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$130K - $155K *

Transform product outcomes by leading Engineering OS; collaborate with teams to define requirements, manage roadmaps, and engage customers throughout the lifecycle, ensuring innovative solutions meet...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$166K - $220K *

Engineer safety into manufacturing processes, ensuring production systems are safe and efficient. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to identify hazards and implement controls throughout the prod...

6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$166K - $220K *

Champion safety in manufacturing by designing risk assessments and controls. Collaborate with engineering teams to ensure safe production processes, from equipment design to operational ramp-up, while...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$140K - $175K *

Advance your career by developing innovative electronic solutions for quantum instruments. Oversee PCB design from concept to production, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quali...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Lead the charge in developing complex electromechanical products, managing multidisciplinary teams to ensure seamless integration of mechanical, electrical, firmware, and software components from conc...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$85K - $110K *

Transform your career by leading the development and support of test equipment in a dynamic manufacturing environment. Collaborate with R&D and production teams to enhance product quality and operatio...

2 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$95K - $115K *

Optimize engineering solutions by leading design projects, mentoring peers, and ensuring high-quality deliverables while collaborating with clients. Contribute to innovative product development throug...

4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Technical Services

$110K - $130K *

Shape the future of composite design by leading innovative projects, ensuring quality and efficiency in product development, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver exceptional airbor...

2 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$144K - $288K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of science by developing high-performance backend systems. Collaborate with engineers and scientists to deliver tools that enable cutting-edge automated scientifi...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$160K - $190K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of embedded systems by developing innovative software for cutting-edge sensors. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance product reliability and performance whil...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$153K - $190K *

Join a team that's empowering the U.S. Air Force's Big Safari mission by providing expert mission engineering support for advanced Electromagnetic Battle Management systems and enhancing cross-platfor...

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$77K - $129K *

Contribute to performance testing of diverse healthcare products by coordinating methodologies and collaborating with design teams to ensure effective test protocols and successful project execution i...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$77K - $129K *

Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive testing methodologies and ensure quality standards in product development, ensuring timely and accurate performance evaluations to enhance healthcare s...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$183K - $251K *

Unlock potential by leading complex software design and development projects. Leverage your expertise to guide a team of engineers, ensuring high-quality performance and innovative solutions in a dyna...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $160K *

Transform advanced manufacturing by engaging with customers to develop and demonstrate metrology solutions. Leverage technical expertise to analyze results, provide insights, and enhance product capab...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$120K - $145K *

Join a team that's redefining space missions by integrating advanced spacecraft designs. Leverage your expertise in mission architecture, technical analysis, and cross-functional collaboration to driv...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$150K - $180K *

Architect innovative software solutions for semiconductor test platforms, integrating design and coding with hands-on technical leadership while collaborating with global engineering teams to deliver...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Transform the future of water treatment by leading electrical engineering projects. Leverage your expertise to ensure compliance, enhance quality, and collaborate across disciplines while managing des...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$85K - $140K *

Drive the design and development of innovative liquid cooling solutions for high-density I/O connectors, enhancing thermal management in AI and ML platforms. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to...

Markham, ONIn-Person

3 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$194K - $285K *

Innovate in a pivotal leadership role, driving multi-year product strategy and execution. Collaborate across teams to manage the full product lifecycle, ensuring timely delivery of cutting-edge optica...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$194K - $285K *

Lead the charge in defining and executing a multi-year product strategy, managing the full lifecycle of next-gen optical products while aligning cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$117K - $235K *

Champion innovative silicon photonics technologies supporting national security missions. Lead research on photonic devices, mentor teams, and collaborate with industry and government partners. Delive...

Reposted 6 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$138K - $231K *

Lead cross-functional initiatives in hardware strategy, driving execution and alignment across teams. Collaborate with leadership to enhance operational effectiveness and support technology investment...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information 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.