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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$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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...

RemoteRemote

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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...

United StatesRemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$147K - $202K *

Deliver technical expertise in materials characterization and failure analysis, driving application innovation and customer support across semiconductor technologies. Collaborate cross-functionally to...

6 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Staffing

$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

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$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...

2 days ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$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

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$132K - $235K *

Elevate your career by driving innovative mask layout design for high-speed mixed-signal circuits. Collaborate with engineers to create cutting-edge VLSI products using advanced CMOS technologies and...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$132K - $235K *

Join a team that's redefining high-speed mixed-signal circuit design. Collaborate with engineers to create innovative layouts in sub-micron CMOS technologies, ensuring seamless integration in VLSI pro...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$70K - $110K *

Unlock potential by delivering exceptional on-site support for Agilent Spectroscopy systems, ensuring optimal performance through installation, maintenance, and customer training across diverse labora...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$128K - $188K *

Drive your career with impactful technical sales in the medical device sector. Lead customer engagements, identify new business opportunities, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance pr...

United StatesRemote

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$135K - $160K *

Advance innovation in minimally invasive surgical robotics by leading ultrasound technology development. Drive transducer design, system integration, and clinical validation to enhance imaging quality...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Healthcare

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.