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.
Senior Computer Vision Engineer
$145K - $175K *
Elevate road safety by developing cutting-edge computer vision models for real-time detection and tracking of vehicles and pedestrians, while optimizing for deployment and performance in varied traffi...
4 weeks ago
Senior / Staff Behavioral Engineer
$135K - $160K *
Transform user safety by studying risks and redesigning product flows. Partner with cross-functional teams to integrate behavioral insights into security and trust initiatives, ultimately reducing har...
3 weeks ago
Senior / Staff Behavioral Engineer
$130K - $160K *
Lead initiatives to redesign product flows and enhance safety by analyzing user behavior and risk patterns. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement risk-reducing changes and measure impac...
3 weeks ago
Senior / Staff Behavioral Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Optimize user trust by redesigning behaviors that reduce risk on our platform. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to implement effective security measures, paving the path for safer and more secu...
3 weeks ago
Senior / Staff Behavioral Engineer
$150K - $180K *
Shape user trust and safety by integrating behavioral design strategies to reduce risk. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to innovate product flows and enhancements that prioritize security, ult...
3 weeks ago
$125K - $150K *
Play a key role in advancing optical measurement systems and methodologies. Lead development of cutting-edge metrology solutions for high-performance applications in diverse industries like aerospace...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $145K *
Champion innovation by designing and developing embedded firmware, collaborating with engineering teams, and utilizing advanced tools for validation and debugging. Drive progress in circuit design and...
2 weeks ago
$80K - $95K *
Accelerate progress at engineering projects by optimizing processes, ensuring quality, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to exceed customer expectations and improve manufacturing efficienc...
3 weeks ago
Optical Engineer, Test & Metrology
$145K - $175K *
Deliver innovative optical testing solutions by designing and executing experiments to validate laser and optical communications hardware, ensuring high performance from components to full satellite i...
4 days ago
Field Application Engineer- Optical Connectivity
$170K - $190K *
Pioneer innovative optical connectivity solutions for datacenter applications, engaging with engineering teams to secure design wins, address technical challenges, and shape the future of high-density...
4 weeks ago
$68K - $131K *
Empower innovation in optical design by leading the development of advanced infrared imaging systems. Collaborate across disciplines to ensure high-performance solutions in demanding environments from...
3 days ago
$130K - $150K *
Elevate the performance of advanced analog circuits for CMOS image sensors. Design, simulate, and optimize transistor-level circuits while collaborating across teams to ensure successful product launc...
3 weeks ago
$107K - $116K *
Grow your career with impactful insights as a Senior Quality Engineer, driving quality and reliability in complex electromechanical products while collaborating across multiple functions and spearhead...
3 weeks ago
Senior Principal Process Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing optical technologies through innovative design, testing, and prototyping of fiber optic devices, ensuring high performance and quality standards in a collabor...
2 weeks ago
Senior Computer Vision Engineer
$120K - $145K *
Transform the future of autonomous flight by developing advanced perception systems for safe landings and navigation in complex environments. Collaborate with diverse teams to elevate operational reli...
3 weeks ago
Marketplace Product Line Manager
$94K - $102K *
Shape the future of product innovation by leading strategic initiatives, conducting market analysis, and collaborating across teams to develop and launch cutting-edge optical products that meet custom...
1 week ago
$150K - $180K *
Partner with us to advance nano-photonics research for wearable AR systems. You’ll design, build, and validate cutting-edge optical components in a collaborative, fast-paced environment focused on imm...
3 weeks ago
$130K - $155K *
Accelerate innovation by leading laser component development, transforming design concepts into high-volume production-ready products, and driving advancements in core laser technologies for cutting-e...
1 week ago
$120K - $145K *
Transform laser design concepts into high-volume production-ready products, leading the development of cutting-edge technologies for advanced applications in Face ID and LIDAR systems, while collabora...
1 week ago
$100K - $120K *
Join a team that's dedicated to advancing optical sensor technology through innovative design, testing, and project leadership. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring cutting-edge optical me...
2 weeks ago
Materials Scientist, Process Development
$125K - $140K *
Develop innovative materials processes that enhance scalability and quality. Drive product transition from concept to manufacturing while collaborating across functions to improve production consisten...
3 weeks ago
Senior Manager, Special Projects
$140K - $193K *
Lead the charge in managing strategic initiatives, coordinating stakeholders, and driving execution across complex projects to ensure alignment and measurable outcomes in a dynamic environment...
2 weeks ago
Principal Engineer, Applications
$138K - $165K *
Join a team that's dedicated to delivering exceptional technical support and training. Leverage your expertise in optical communications to resolve customer issues, conduct trials, and enhance product...
Today
Principal Project Engineer, Photonic System Development
$150K - $200K *
Transform your career by leading innovative projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive engineering excellence and shape the future of cutting-edge...
2 weeks ago
Senior Signal Integrity Engineer - Optical Transceivers & LPO Modules
$120K - $145K *
Join a team that's pushing the boundaries of optical transceiver technology, driving innovation in high-speed I/O systems for next-gen applications, collaborating across disciplines to optimize perfor...
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.