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.
Integration & Component Design Engineer
$140K - $175K *
Join us to develop advanced superconducting component layouts, automate design processes, and collaborate with engineering teams to drive high-performance designs for silicon spin quantum computing. Y...
1 week ago
$135K - $160K *
Join a team that's redefining road safety through AI-assisted technology. As a Senior Embedded Engineer, you'll lead the development of cutting-edge vision systems, ensuring reliability and performanc...
6 days ago
$124K - $187K *
Optimize mechanical design processes for electro-mechanical products, guiding RF and digital teams to create efficient solutions. Leverage expertise in thermal, electrical, and PCB considerations to e...
2 weeks ago
Principal Test Engineer & Lab Manager
$148K - $192K *
Lead the charge in managing antenna lab operations and testing for advanced phased array antenna systems, collaborating with multiple teams to ensure high-quality performance and reliability in missio...
Reposted 1 week ago
Principal Test Engineer & Lab Manager
$148K - $192K *
Drive advanced testing initiatives for phased array antennas in a cutting-edge lab environment, coordinating with cross-functional teams to enhance product development and ensure adherence to rigorous...
Reposted 1 week ago
Senior Product Design Engineer
$95K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to lead mechanical design for automotive antenna products, transforming complex requirements into manufacturable solutions. Collaborate across disciplines to influence product deve...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Join our innovative team to enhance manufacturing processes and product design efficiency in the high-tech interconnect industry. Your expertise will drive new product development and automation initi...
3 weeks ago
$146K - $270K *
Join a dedicated team that drives semiconductor manufacturing innovation through advanced problem-solving and customer engagement, improving tool performance and product development from concept to re...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Dry Etch Process Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Innovate advanced plasma etch processes for photonic devices, enhancing yield and manufacturability. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive technology development and operational excellence...
Today
Staff Dry Etch Process Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's at the forefront of photonic device fabrication, optimizing dry etch processes to enhance performance and yield. Collaborate across disciplines to drive innovation and operational e...
Today
High-Speed Electro-Optical IC Engineer (RFIC Engineering)
$135K - $210K *
Join a team that's developing innovative electro-optical IC solutions for global connectivity. Collaborate with cross-disciplinary experts to design and optimize cutting-edge photonic integrated circu...
6 days ago
Senior Integration & Test Engineer
$100K - $125K *
Join our team to innovate testing techniques for advanced EW and UAS technologies. Collaborate on cross-discipline projects and ensure the reliability of cutting-edge communication systems through rig...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior/Staff Product Engineer, Embodied AI
$207K - $265K *
Transform autonomy solutions by driving product integration, scaling backend systems, and converting prototypes into user-ready capabilities. Collaborate closely with teams to ensure seamless delivery...
3 weeks ago
$95K - $115K *
Transform your career by implementing engineering designs and managing proof-of-concept work. Collaborate on network hardware changes, support modernization efforts, and contribute to Zero Trust initi...
Yesterday
$95K - $115K *
Advance engineering solutions by implementing designs and conducting proof-of-concept work in lab environments. Support modernization, automation, and Zero Trust initiatives while ensuring operational...
Yesterday
Mechanical Design Engineer II Optical Communications New Product Development
$70K - $96K *
Support innovative mechanical design by collaborating with cross-functional teams, utilizing CAD tools, and applying engineering principles to develop manufacturable products that meet customer needs...
1 week ago
Senior ML / Evaluation Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Explore exciting challenges in AI evaluation by developing frameworks and custom validators for cutting-edge machine learning applications. Collaborate to enhance the quality and reliability of AI age...
3 weeks ago
$62K - $140K *
Unlock your potential as you design and develop cutting-edge analog and power electronics for diverse applications, collaborating with teams to ensure high-quality solutions throughout the engineering...
Today
Technical Product Support Engineer
$110K - $152K *
Join us to empower technical support excellence, driving system performance and customer satisfaction through effective troubleshooting, documentation, and collaboration with engineering teams on inno...
Yesterday
$133K - $145K *
Join us to lead and develop a high-performing engineering team, driving innovative semiconductor equipment solutions while ensuring safety, quality, and efficiency across global operations and custome...
Today
$133K - $145K *
Shape the future of semiconductor delivery equipment by leading engineering teams, driving innovation, and ensuring product excellence. Collaborate across functions to meet customer needs and enhance...
Yesterday
$114K - $191K *
Engineer custom automated systems by collaborating with cross-functional teams to design, develop, and deploy innovative mechatronic solutions that meet customer needs and enhance performance througho...
4 days ago
Senior Process Design Engineer (Technical Lead)
$140K - $200K *
Lead complex industrial projects in water and wastewater, driving design innovation and sustainability. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to optimize solutions and guide project delivery from c...
Reposted 2 days ago
Chief Engineer Principal - Software
$118K - $204K *
Empower innovation as you lead software architecture for a cloud-native connected vehicle platform, driving engineering excellence and cross-functional collaboration to deliver impactful solutions for...
Today
$95K - $115K *
Lead the optimization of manufacturing processes in Aerospace & Defense. Drive new product introductions, enhance quality, and implement continuous improvement initiatives, ensuring safety and efficie...
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.