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.
$80K - $95K *
Lead the quality assurance initiatives, ensuring customer requirements are met through effective internal documentation and communication across teams. Collaborate to uphold high product standards and...
4 weeks ago
Principal Algorithm Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis)
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's revolutionizing space-based payloads by developing advanced algorithms for EO/IR image analysis. You'll enhance object detection and tracking capabilities, ensuring mission success...
1 week ago
Principal Algorithm Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis)
$198K - $264K *
Transform advanced EO/IR systems by developing and implementing innovative algorithms for image processing and detection, collaborating across teams to enhance mission capabilities in diverse environm...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Principal Algorithm Engineer (EO/IR Image Analysis)
$198K - $264K *
Explore a pivotal role in algorithm development for advanced EO/IR space payloads. Collaborate with diverse teams to innovate on image processing and object tracking, ensuring cutting-edge solutions f...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$90K - $115K *
Accelerate quality assurance by building systems across the supply chain, from suppliers to consumers. Lead external audits, consumer complaint management, and establish supplier qualifications to set...
3 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Pioneer innovative media strategies by managing and optimizing multi-channel paid media campaigns. Collaborate cross-functionally to enhance performance and drive measurable growth across local market...
1 week ago
$88K - $105K *
Manage production planning strategies to optimize resources, enhance efficiency, and meet customer demand. Collaborate across departments to ensure seamless operations and drive continuous improvement...
2 weeks ago
Engineering Director, Advanced Product Development
$175K - $210K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative medical technologies by integrating new capabilities into products. Oversee cross-functional teams to ensure efficient product development that meets market an...
1 week ago
Principal Front-End Design Engineer
$160K - $190K *
Lead innovative AI-driven design solutions and methodologies for scalable IP and SoC development, enhancing engineering productivity and best practices across global teams while mentoring engineers an...
Today
Senior Manager, GNC 300 Product Line
$163K - $271K *
Lead a dynamic team in the design and implementation of GNC algorithms, driving innovation and technical strategy for the 300 product line while ensuring high performance and quality in spacecraft sys...
2 weeks ago
$120K - $160K *
Join a dynamic team to enhance manufacturing processes for infrared lenses, collaborating with engineering and quality teams to ensure compliance and efficiency while driving continuous improvement in...
2 days ago
$110K - $120K *
Lead the charge in quality engineering for critical assessment platforms, driving testing excellence and automation maturity. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure reliability and scalabil...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Elevate manufacturing processes for precision opto-electronic components. Drive process improvement and product quality enhancements while collaborating with cross-functional teams in a dynamic low vo...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Electronic IC Design Engineer
$149K - $212K *
Engineer cutting-edge electronic circuits for high-speed communications. Collaborate with a dynamic team to drive product development from concept to qualification, ensuring silicon success in advance...
5 days ago
$120K - $154K *
Shape the future of product marketing by crafting compelling messaging, driving go-to-market strategies, and collaborating across teams to deliver impactful campaigns that resonate with defense custom...
2 weeks ago
Process Development Engineer | RF Photonics
$110K - $130K *
Create cutting-edge solutions by leading the development of heterogeneous integration processes for silicon photonics, ensuring high-volume manufacturing and optimizing device performance through cros...
1 month ago
Process Development Engineer | RF Photonics
$110K - $130K *
Engineer the development and optimization of silicon photonics processes, focusing on heterogeneous integration of non-Si materials, while collaborating across teams to enhance yield and performance i...
1 month ago
Principal Test Development Engineer
$95K - $245K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of technology through innovative software solutions for diverse applications, from autonomous vehicles to medical systems, while leading projects in a dynamic Agi...
2 days ago
Senior Principal Packaging Engineer
$138K - $165K *
Take ownership of advanced semiconductor packaging solutions, driving cross-functional programs to deliver innovative designs for new technologies. Collaborate with diverse teams to ensure reliability...
1 week ago
Senior Principal Packaging Engineer
$138K - $165K *
Partner with us to redefine semiconductor packaging solutions, leading cross-functional teams to innovate and deliver advanced package architectures for diverse applications, ensuring reliability and...
1 week ago
$90K - $125K *
Lead the charge in optimizing and maintaining AWS infrastructure, enhancing CI/CD workflows, and automating deployments to support a scalable video service environment while ensuring operational excel...
3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer, Device Engineering
$129K - $168K *
Optimize high-performance RFIC solutions through advanced semiconductor device development, collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance device performances and reliability in wireless, radar...
4 weeks ago
Senior Mixed Signal Circuit Design Engineer
$168K - $310K *
Advance your career by joining a dynamic team focused on high-speed mixed-signal design. Contribute to innovative projects impacting diverse technology sectors, from consumer graphics to AI, while gai...
1 week ago
$95K - $115K *
Join a team that's shaping the future of power electronics by designing and developing innovative power supply systems. Collaborate across disciplines to enhance product efficiency and lead projects f...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate your career by leading complex PCB design projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, manufacturable, and compliant medical devices from concept through product...
3 weeks 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.