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.
Strategic Design Engineering, Global Supply Manager - Mechanicals
$120K - $145K *
Transform product development by collaborating with engineering and suppliers to optimize design for manufacturability and cost. Drive excellence in mechanical components, ensuring quality and sustain...
Today
GPU Handover Senior Technical Program Manager
$91K - $187K *
Join a dynamic team as a Technical Program Manager, coordinating global operations and driving project momentum. Engage with diverse stakeholders, manage critical issues, and ensure seamless communica...
Yesterday
$110K - $125K *
Optimize product development through cross-functional collaboration, research, and customer insights. Lead roadmap prioritization, define user experiences, and ensure quality outcomes while leveraging...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
Staff Software Engineer, Application Specific Integrated Circuits Firmware
$207K - $300K *
Join a team that's redefining computing by developing firmware for custom accelerators. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate and enhance AI capabilities, ensuring robust performance and...
2 days ago
Senior/Staff Embedded Software Engineer - C++ (San Diego, CA)
$128K - $205K *
Contribute to the development of cutting-edge intravascular ultrasound systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to architect and design embedded software, ensuring high-quality medical equipme...
3 days ago
Software Engineer, Electronics Design
$120K - $145K *
Lead the charge in developing AI-assisted design tools for engineers, ensuring hardware-grade accuracy and user engagement. Collaborate closely with hardware engineers to deliver impactful software so...
1 week ago
$110K - $130K *
Elevate the data infrastructure at Precision AI by architecting robust data pipelines and managing data quality, enabling efficient machine learning model training and business analytics. Shape how da...
4 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Champion innovative agent products from concept to launch, leading a team to create user-centric solutions that enhance engineering workflows and drive AI-native applications. Collaborate across disci...
2 weeks ago
$150K - $180K *
Engineer robust web applications by leading full stack development, optimizing backend APIs and creating high-performance front-ends. Collaborate effectively across teams while ensuring scalable archi...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Embedded Software Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Join a dynamic team to develop embedded software for a cutting-edge robotic system. Collaborate to enhance lung cancer diagnostics, ensuring high-quality solutions from inception through delivery in a...
3 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Manage and enhance quality standards across diverse projects, ensuring compliance with specifications and regulations. Collaborate with teams to drive quality initiatives and mentor staff, contributin...
1 week ago
$142K - $196K *
Unlock potential by leading innovative software solutions that enhance healthcare efficiency and resilience. Collaborate with diverse teams to design and deliver optimal cloud-native applications whil...
4 weeks ago
$166K - $220K *
Engage in building innovative internal products that leverage a unified data model. Collaborate with users across various departments to solve complex operational challenges, ensuring impactful soluti...
2 weeks ago
$100K - $150K *
Join a dynamic team to develop and test photonic integrated circuits, providing key insights on performance while working with cutting-edge technologies and automation systems in a fast-paced environm...
Reposted 4 days ago
Applications Engineering, Staff Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Drive innovation in advanced-node physical design, leveraging your expertise to tackle complex challenges and enhance methodologies. Collaborate with teams to ensure timely tape-outs and optimize desi...
Yesterday
Design Quality Assurance Engineer III - Endoscopy
$82K - $156K *
Elevate product quality by driving compliance, risk management, and engineering support throughout the product lifecycle. Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure safety, effectiveness, and regulatory...
3 weeks ago
Principal Electrical and Firmware Systems Architect
$175K - $225K *
Optimize the electrical and firmware architecture for advanced laser and photonic systems. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate complex requirements into actionable designs, ensuring h...
3 days ago
Advanced Packaging Metrology Engineering Manager
$155K - $255K *
Join a team that's at the forefront of semiconductor technology, leading innovative wafer-level assembly and packaging solutions. Drive strategic initiatives, guide engineers, and foster a high-perfor...
3 weeks ago
Staff Process Development Engineer, Etch
$165K - $220K *
Collaborate with cross-functional teams in a dynamic startup to design, execute, and optimize semiconductor fabrication processes, utilizing innovative techniques and hands-on experimentation in a hig...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Staff Engineer, Quality & Reliability
$131K - $174K *
Champion semiconductor reliability by leading evaluations and improvements for NTI/NPI. Collaborate across teams to ensure smooth transitions to mass production while driving advanced CMOS technology...
Today
Staff Engineer, Quality & Reliability
$131K - $174K *
Elevate your career by leading reliability engineering for advanced semiconductor technologies. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure seamless transitions from new technology to mass produ...
Today
Senior Software Engineer, 3D Computer Vision
$160K - $240K *
Elevate our robotics capabilities by developing cutting-edge algorithms for 3D reconstruction and spatial understanding, as you optimize data processing and lead complex challenges in high-performance...
Reposted 2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion quality excellence by leading the Quality Management System (QMS) to ensure compliance and operational efficiency. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive continuous improvement and...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Champion the Quality Management System to ensure compliance and drive operational excellence, leading initiatives across teams to enhance quality processes and foster a culture of continuous improveme...
2 weeks ago
Production Systems Engineer, Hardware Analytics
$150K - $180K *
Engineer innovative hardware solutions by leveraging data analytics and machine learning to enhance reliability and efficiency in data centers. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to optimize syst...
2 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.