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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$138K - $231K *

Unlock potential by leading complex technical programs in Aerospace and Defense. Drive cross-disciplinary collaboration, manage risks, and ensure alignment between customer needs and engineering execu...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$149K - $249K *

Engage in cross-disciplinary leadership to drive complex Aerospace and Defense programs, ensuring alignment between technical execution and business goals while managing risks and fostering collaborat...

1 week ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$150K - $180K *

Drive the design and development of key ML compiler components, focusing on optimization and transformation pipelines to ensure models meet hardware constraints and achieve real-time performance...

Reposted today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$72K - $135K *

Join a team that's dedicated to optimizing tooling processes and enhancing production efficiency. You'll manage inventory, collaborate with vendors, and support engineering efforts to ensure seamless...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$80K - $95K *

Unlock potential by providing expert service and maintenance for complex medical imaging equipment in healthcare settings, ensuring optimal performance and safety while supporting clinical teams...

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Staffing

$130K - $160K *

Engineer innovative solutions for complex financial data systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance data connectivity and drive impactful decision-making in mission-critical environme...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Finance & Insurance

$126K - $167K *

Lead the strategic development of the supply network, ensuring efficient sourcing and cost management for product hardware while collaborating cross-functionally to meet program goals and timelines...

3 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$143K - $158K *

Unlock innovative mechanical solutions by leading design processes and mentoring engineers. Drive project success through technical expertise, collaboration, and continuous improvement in a dynamic ae...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Lead innovative design and analysis of gas turbine engine components, ensuring compliance and technical excellence. Collaborate with global teams, mentor junior engineers, and drive process improvemen...

Yesterday

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$100K - $115K *

Transform quality assurance processes by leading inspection teams, driving continuous improvement, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate cross-functionally to resolve quality is...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$100K - $275K *

Elevate product quality by leading cross-functional teams to resolve complex engineering challenges. Utilize your expertise to analyze data, develop quality programs, and ensure compliance with indust...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$211K - $298K *

Elevate your career by leading the automation strategy for advanced semiconductor manufacturing. Drive innovation in material handling systems and factory automation, ensuring productivity and scalabi...

Today

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$90K - $120K *

Transform production processes as a Manufacturing Engineer, driving innovation and efficiency in a collaborative environment. Leverage your expertise to design tooling and improve manufacturing system...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$130K - $155K *

Transform the embedded software build environment for innovative surgical robotics. Collaborate across teams to enhance infrastructure automation, optimize build pipelines, and support product develop...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$162K - $195K *

Drive the integration of Machine Learning IP into complex SoC designs. Oversee project execution while collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver cutting-edge solutions in augmented and virt...

3 weeks ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$95K - $125K *

Transform quality management systems by leading QMS activities, driving compliance, and implementing process improvements across engineering and operations. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure re...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$150K - $180K *

Lead the charge in optimizing manufacturing processes to enhance device production efficiency, manage resources, and foster collaboration across teams, ensuring alignment with commercial, engineering...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$130K - $140K *

Drive project success by overseeing customer contracts, managing team dynamics, and ensuring compliance. Lead programs from inception to execution while fostering effective communication and maintaini...

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$101K - $152K *

Engineer innovative Medium Voltage switchgear solutions, leveraging CAD expertise to design and analyze complex architectures. Collaborate with manufacturing and quality teams to ensure optimal produc...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$200K - $275K *

Innovate cutting-edge ML inference infrastructure, optimizing performance and reliability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to transform advanced techniques into high-throughput, low-latency se...

Today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$68K - $102K *

Join a team that's dedicated to quality excellence, ensuring product reliability and compliance with ISO 9001 standards. Collaborate across functions to drive quality initiatives and lead audits, maki...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$72K - $104K *

Champion quality excellence by leading assurance programs, managing audits, and collaborating with teams to ensure product reliability and compliance. Drive continuous improvement and foster strong re...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$190K - $195K *

Lead the development of scalable applications using Java and Angular, while analyzing geo-spatial data and collaborating within a high-performing team to drive project success and innovation in a dyna...

Reposted 4 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Real Estate & Construction

$132K - $251K *

Lead the charge in advancing carbon-carbon manufacturing through strategic analysis and innovative inspection methods. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product quality and drive tran...

Reposted today

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$91K *

Join us to enhance manufacturing processes through innovative design and continuous improvement. Collaborate with engineers to optimize methods, reduce costs, and ensure quality, while managing projec...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

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.