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.
$110K - $130K *
Contribute to multi-discipline projects as a Senior Electrical Engineer, leading electrical efforts, managing client relations, and ensuring compliance with codes while mentoring junior staff through...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Lead the charge in designing and developing advanced electrical systems for analytical instruments, collaborating across disciplines to ensure seamless integration from concept to production while men...
1 week ago
Senior Manufacturing Design Engineer
$145K - $219K *
Lead the charge in developing and optimizing manufacturing processes for advanced unmanned aircraft systems, ensuring seamless transition from prototype to high-volume production while collaborating c...
2 weeks ago
Quantum Electro-Optical Engineer Sr
$110K - $204K *
Shape the future of optical technologies by conducting rigorous research and development of innovative laser and nonlinear optical systems, optimizing performance through experimental and computationa...
4 weeks ago
Senior System Software Engineer, Agentic Retrieval
$184K - $356K *
Unlock your potential by developing cutting-edge pipelines for multi-modal content retrieval. Collaborate with experts in Generative AI and enhance user experiences through innovative software solutio...
2 weeks ago
Senior System Software Engineer, Agentic Retrieval
$184K - $356K *
Empower innovation by developing and optimizing data processing frameworks for multi-modal AI systems. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance retrieval efficacy and drive impactful solutions in Gen...
2 weeks ago
Senior System Software Engineer, Agentic Retrieval
$184K - $356K *
Lead the charge in developing and optimizing data processing frameworks for multi-modal AI systems, enhancing retrieval efficacy and user experience through innovative solutions and collaboration with...
2 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Execute quality engineering excellence by driving data-driven improvements across the product lifecycle. Lead cross-functional teams to resolve issues and implement standardization, enhancing manufact...
Reposted 1 week ago
Applications Engineer, Senior Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Transform customer verification processes by leading VCS simulation deployments, diagnosing complex issues, and enhancing workflows. Collaborate with R&D and engineering teams to ensure successful too...
1 week ago
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Omen
$146K - $194K *
Build and optimize manufacturing processes for high-volume production, driving design innovations and quality standards while collaborating with engineers and suppliers to ensure successful product de...
3 weeks ago
Senior Electro-Mechanical Test Engineer
$140K - $175K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing electromechanical testing and infrastructure. You'll lead high-impact testing initiatives, mentor a growing team, and ensure the success of complex systems fr...
4 weeks ago
$133K - $200K *
Join a team that's pivotal to developing cutting-edge FPGA solutions for next-gen lidar systems. You'll engage in RTL development, testing, and system integration, gaining critical expertise in a dyna...
3 weeks ago
Supervisor- Production (Standard Assembly)
$70K - $106K *
Optimize production efficiency by leading daily operations, ensuring safety and quality standards are met, and fostering a collaborative team environment. Drive continuous improvement initiatives and...
2 weeks ago
Senior RF Sensor Lead Engineer
$86K - $165K *
Join a team that's driving innovation in RF sensor technology for advanced missile systems. Oversee supplier development, manage technical requirements, and support integration efforts while mentoring...
Today
$130K - $155K *
Elevate software engineering solutions by architecting and integrating advanced testing platforms across diverse semiconductor environments, ensuring high-quality, reliable execution and fostering tec...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$72K - $96K *
Empower innovation in advanced manufacturing by providing process engineering support, troubleshooting assembly methods, and driving continuous improvement initiatives in a collaborative environment...
Yesterday
$90K - $121K *
Shape the future of infrared detector technology by innovating wafer fab processes. Collaborate with a dynamic team to design, automate, and improve fabrication methods while engaging in hands-on pilo...
2 weeks ago
$93K - $124K *
Engineer process development solutions, optimize manufacturing efficiency, and lead cross-functional teams to enhance product quality and innovation while aligning with strategic business goals in a d...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Transform product quality by analyzing customer feedback, leading investigations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing processes and ensure compliance with quality st...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Empower product quality excellence by analyzing customer feedback, leading investigations, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to enhance manufacturing processes and ensure compliance with q...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Analyze and enhance product quality by collaborating with cross-functional teams, leading investigations, and implementing corrective actions. Drive customer satisfaction through effective communicati...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive innovation by designing and developing effective NetSuite ERP solutions while collaborating with stakeholders to meet technical and business requirements and maintain system integrity and perfor...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
GFX/Display IP Digital Design Engineer
$140K - $170K *
Innovate cutting-edge hardware solutions with a focus on design and optimization. Collaborate closely with engineers to enhance performance and power efficiency in advanced silicon technologies drivin...
4 weeks ago
GFX/Display IP Digital Design Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Contribute to the design of cutting-edge hardware solutions that leverage machine learning and network acceleration. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative silicon technologies...
4 weeks ago
GFX/Display IP Digital Design Engineer
$145K - $175K *
Elevate your career by contributing to transformative hardware solutions and collaborate with experts in ASIC design and optimization for cutting-edge technologies that drive innovation across the ind...
4 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.