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 Director of Hardware Engineering
$175K - $210K *
Shape the future of AI technology by leading the hardware engineering team in developing next-gen AI accelerator chips. Collaborate across functions to drive chip design from concept to production, en...
2 weeks ago
Senior Power Electronics Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Join a team that shapes the future of power electronics and enhances EV technology by developing efficient DC/DC Converters and Onboard Chargers while ensuring top quality and performance across vario...
3 weeks ago
Lead, Mechanical Design Engineer
$110K - $130K *
Lead a multi-disciplinary team to design advanced laser systems for military applications. Manage complex projects, provide technical direction, and collaborate with stakeholders to deliver innovative...
2 weeks ago
Mechanical Engineer, Precision Systems
$130K - $200K *
Contribute to precision machine design by rapidly prototyping and building advanced mechanical systems for semiconductor fabrication, ensuring accuracy at the nanometer scale while collaborating with...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Sub-Platform Quality Manager - Semiconductor*
$164K - $201K *
Lead quality initiatives by integrating principles and methodologies into semiconductor product design, ensuring manufacturability and reliability while collaborating with cross-functional teams throu...
Yesterday
Principal Engineer - Applications (Precision Signal Chain, Data Converters / Linear)
$130K - $155K *
Transform the future of precision analog and mixed-signal products by driving device specifications and collaborating with cross-functional teams to deliver innovative solutions that meet customer nee...
4 days ago
Senior, Software Design Quality Engineer
$125K - $140K *
Empower your career as a Senior Software Design Quality Engineer, driving the development and compliance of innovative medical software products while ensuring adherence to regulatory standards and qu...
Today
$165K - $183K *
Transform the future of government technology by leading the development of our AI assistant platform. Collaborate with customers, drive product vision, and deliver high-quality code in a fast-paced e...
2 weeks ago
$110K - $130K *
Drive enterprise-wide quality improvements by leading technical investigations and implementing effective RCCA strategies across multiple manufacturing sites, enhancing product reliability and operati...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Jet Engine
$140K - $180K *
Unlock potential by leading the design and development of jet engine assembly processes. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure efficient production, quality control, and innovative solutio...
1 week ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Join a pioneering team to shape innovative software solutions, engaging directly with customers to transform their challenges into reliable deployments. Leverage your engineering skills to drive impac...
1 week ago
Senior Forward Deployed Engineer
$130K - $155K *
Transform your career by joining a pioneering engineering team focused on delivering innovative software solutions. Engage directly with customers to understand their needs, build impactful applicatio...
1 week ago
$100K - $200K *
Partner with us to develop groundbreaking simulation products, focusing on AI and robotics. Engage with customers to shape product roadmaps, create prototypes, and enhance integration within the simul...
3 weeks ago
Senior Functional Safety Engineer
$162K - $260K *
Drive functional safety for autonomous vehicle software, ensuring reliability and compliance through safety analysis and requirements derivation. Collaborate with diverse teams to enhance safety proce...
4 days ago
Sr. Engineer, Project Engineering
$100K - $130K *
Lead the charge in designing and implementing secure, scalable network infrastructures. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance performance, reliability, and security while driving project...
1 week ago
$70K - $115K *
Join a dynamic team to design, analyze, and test cutting-edge spacecraft. Leverage your engineering expertise to advance innovative technology while collaborating across systems and stages from concep...
3 weeks ago
$120K - $140K *
Support our team by managing plant maintenance, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and driving continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and performance...
2 weeks ago
$65K - $104K *
Join us to enhance quality assurance in manufacturing operations, collaborating with supervisors and engineers to drive improvements and maintain product integrity throughout the lifecycle while adher...
Today
$114K - $157K *
Transform quality assurance processes for IVD product development, ensuring compliance with FDA, ISO, and other relevant regulations. Lead cross-functional collaborations and continuous improvement in...
3 weeks ago
$75K - $110K *
Innovate in advanced semiconductor device research by designing experiments, analyzing data, and collaborating with engineers to enhance performance and safety in a dynamic laboratory environment...
Today
Senior Process Utilities Engineer
$125K - $175K *
Shape critical process utility systems for pharmaceutical projects, leading design and engineering efforts while assuring compliance with industry standards. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams t...
Reposted 3 weeks ago
$65K - $122K *
Join a dynamic team in a hands-on industrial engineering role, where you'll engage in process improvement, capacity planning, and quality initiatives in a fast-paced electronics manufacturing environm...
1 week ago
$90K - $140K *
Advance the design and execution of electrical systems for high-tech facilities, ensuring compliance and innovation. Lead projects that integrate cutting-edge technology while mentoring junior staff a...
2 weeks ago
$90K - $140K *
Join a team that's redefining electrical engineering in high-tech industries. Lead design efforts for advanced facilities, ensuring compliance and innovation while mentoring junior staff and collabora...
2 weeks ago
$138K - $165K *
Unlock innovative engineering solutions as a leading authority on design strategies, driving product development and strengthening capabilities across diverse teams to resolve complex challenges and e...
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.