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.
Analog IC Design Engineer, High-Speed
$135K - $180K *
Pioneer the future of high-speed transceiver technology by collaborating with cross-functional teams to design and validate innovative analog solutions for advanced optical and wireline communication...
3 weeks ago
$137K - $193K *
Join a team that's redefining avionics! Lead development of cutting-edge systems for next-gen vehicles. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure seamless integration and performance while maintaining...
4 weeks ago
Senior Applied AI Engineer, Manufacturing & System Co-Design
$184K - $356K *
Drive the alignment of system specifications and manufacturing processes. Lead methodology and infrastructure efforts at scale, ensuring robust checks and automation to prevent discrepancies throughou...
Reposted 4 weeks ago
$100K - $120K *
Drive the daily operations of advanced test rigs, executing test campaigns, troubleshooting, and ensuring precise data analysis to support engineering success while contributing to robust design and c...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Engineer, Mission Planning
$120K - $145K *
Shape the future of autonomous operations by leading mission planning efforts, developing system requirements, and optimizing algorithms for satellite imaging. Collaborate with cross-functional teams...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer, Mission Planning
$120K - $145K *
Drive the development of mission planning algorithms for autonomous satellite operations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, prototype code, and optimize imaging strategie...
1 week ago
Senior Engineer, Mission Planning
$120K - $145K *
Innovate in mission planning by developing autonomous operations for satellite constellations. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define requirements, prototype code, and optimize algorithms...
1 week ago
Sr Advanced Mechanical Design Engineer
$93K - $130K *
Unlock potential by collaborating with global teams to enhance aerospace product designs, resolve materials obsolescence, and improve supply chain performance for commercial and military aircraft syst...
Yesterday
$110K - $130K *
Accelerate your career by shaping innovative workflows and AI-driven experiences. Join a dynamic team where ownership, speed, and user-focused product development are paramount. Contribute across the...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$132K - $165K *
Drive engineering excellence by leading and mentoring a diverse team, establishing best practices, and overseeing product development from concept to manufacturing, ensuring alignment with customer ex...
2 weeks ago
$147K - $202K *
Deliver technical expertise in materials characterization and failure analysis, driving application innovation and customer support across semiconductor technologies. Collaborate cross-functionally to...
5 days ago
Manufacturing Engineer - Electromechanical Assembly
$72K - $112K *
Transform your career by leading electromechanical assembly initiatives, ensuring smooth transitions, and applying lean manufacturing principles. Collaborate across teams while driving innovation and...
3 weeks ago
Principal Hardware Engineer - 3rd Party IP Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Manage the integration of 3rd party IP for advanced memory interfaces, collaborating across teams to ensure compliance and performance. Engage in all SoC development stages, driving project success an...
Today
Principal Hardware Engineer - 3rd Party IP Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Join a team that's at the forefront of SoC development, integrating cutting-edge memory interfaces. Collaborate with engineers and 3rd party IP providers to deliver innovative solutions for AI, commun...
Today
Principal Hardware Engineer - 3rd Party IP Engineer
$138K - $165K *
Unlock your potential as a key player in 3rd party IP integration, collaborating across teams to deliver cutting-edge memory interface solutions for advanced applications in AI, communications, and st...
Today
Principal Hardware Engineer - 3rd Party IP Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Elevate your career by joining a dynamic team focused on integrating cutting-edge memory interfaces. Collaborate across departments to drive innovation in SoC development and enhance client solutions...
Today
Principal Hardware Engineer - 3rd Party IP Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Drive innovation as a key member of the 3rd party IP management team, overseeing integration and validation of advanced memory interface cores for cutting-edge applications in AI, communications, and...
Today
Principal Hardware Engineer - 3rd Party IP Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Partner with us to integrate cutting-edge 3rd party IP for advanced memory interfaces. Collaborate across teams to ensure compliance and drive successful SoC development, enhancing our offerings in AI...
Today
$75K - $90K *
Unlock potential by enhancing manufacturing processes and equipment for cable products. Collaborate with teams to solve production challenges, improve efficiency, and drive cost reductions in a dynami...
2 weeks ago
Senior Mechanical Engineer, Supply Chain
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that's focused on navigating complex supply chain challenges. Define strategies for supplier development and ensure design manufacturability while supporting prototyping through to full-sc...
4 weeks ago
$108K - $130K *
Lead and inspire a dynamic team in hardware and software development, managing integrated systems design to drive innovation and excellence in technology solutions. Collaborate across functions to enh...
Yesterday
Senior Principal Embedded Software Engineer
$132K - $251K *
Join a dynamic software development team to innovate cybersecurity solutions for connected systems. Lead research, collaborate with engineers, and tackle complex challenges to enhance security for cri...
1 week ago
Lead Design Electrical Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Take ownership of electrical design processes for complex hardware systems. Drive integration and innovation while collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure product quality and performance t...
Reposted 6 days ago
Lead Embedded Software Engineer
$170K - $260K *
Lead the charge in developing embedded firmware for advanced 3D printers, ensuring quality and timely delivery. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product performance and reliability w...
1 week ago
$132K - $198K *
Lead the charge in developing innovative counter-UAS systems, integrating optics, computer vision, and embedded technologies. Drive cross-functional collaboration to create cohesive, mission-critical...
1 week 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.