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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$120K - $200K *

The Optomechanical Engineer at Scout Space will lead the design and development of hardware systems for on-orbit perception and autonomy capabilities. This role involves creating detailed mechanical d...

Reston, VARemote

Reposted 3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join us to design and execute verification strategies for DWDM optical networking products, enhancing performance and reliability through automated testing and collaboration with engineering teams to...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$73K - $99K *

Join a dynamic team to design and develop innovative opto-mechanical systems, ensuring optimal performance and meeting customer specifications through advanced modeling and engineering practices...

Today

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$112K - $160K *

Join a dynamic R&D team to innovate and optimize advanced packaging solutions for optical and photonic devices, driving high-performance manufacturing from concept to production while collaborating ac...

6 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$70K - $95K *

Optimize the Quality Management System to ensure compliance and drive continuous improvement across the organization, addressing customer quality issues and enhancing operational effectiveness for sus...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$115K - $130K *

Lead the charge in software solutions that enhance field applications and laboratory automation. Collaborate across teams to optimize software and hardware integration while ensuring high reliability...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Food & Beverages

$120K - $145K *

Elevate your career by leading a dynamic team in semiconductor manufacturing processes. Drive innovation from development to production, enhancing yield and efficiency while fostering a culture of col...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$184K - $356K *

Unlock potential by driving innovation in camera ISP architecture for advanced imaging technologies, enhancing performance and quality for autonomous driving and robotics applications while collaborat...

Reposted 1 month ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $130K *

Join a dynamic team to ensure quality in optical firmware delivery, utilizing Agile methodologies. Leverage expertise in optical testing, collaborate across functions, and drive innovation through AI...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Telecommunications & Hardware

$130K - $155K *

Unlock potential by leading the design of advanced photonic devices, utilizing computational modeling and machine learning. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive innovation from concept to...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$130K - $155K *

Advance your career by developing cutting-edge photonic devices, leading computational modeling, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive innovation from concept to production...

1 week ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Enterprise Technology

$80K - $120K *

Unlock innovation by designing and optimizing CCD-based vision systems for enhanced quality control in a high-volume battery manufacturing environment, ensuring precision and efficiency in production...

3 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$105K - $175K *

Elevate your career by developing innovative manufacturing processes for cutting-edge electro-optic devices. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive product success from design to high-volume...

Yesterday

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$110K - $130K *

Join a team that's shaping the future of optical networking by leading the development of advanced embedded software solutions. Leverage your expertise in C/C++ and optical systems to drive innovation...

Ottawa, ONIn-Person

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$140K - $190K *

Join us as an Engineering Manager to architect healthcare integrations, mentor engineers, and drive system design while ensuring scalability and reliability in a fast-paced environment. Your coding ex...

5 days ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Healthcare

$120K - $145K *

Engineer innovative software solutions by leading development projects, collaborating with teams, and mentoring junior engineers. Utilize cutting-edge technologies to enhance performance and deliver h...

2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Information Technology

$120K - $145K *

Champion the operation of spacecraft and enhance mission procedures while leading a collaborative team. Drive anomaly investigations, manage spacecraft maneuvers, and mentor engineers to ensure seamle...

Reposted 2 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Energy & Utilities

$140K - $155K *

Oversee and manage multiple interrelated projects to maximize organizational value, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and effective communication among stakeholders, while adapting to evolv...

1 week ago

  •   11 - 15 years exp.  •   Pharmaceuticals & Biotech

$95K - $115K *

Drive efficiency in our warehouse operations by optimizing workflows and eliminating waste. As the first industrial engineer, you'll shape our in-house WMS, ensuring seamless integration of physical l...

5 days ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Retail & Consumer Goods

$134K - $192K *

Transform high-volume manufacturing by leading thin film processes, ensuring robust sputter deposition and electron beam evaporation techniques. Drive continuous improvement and technical excellence w...

2 weeks ago

  •   8 - 10 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$146K - $222K *

Join us to design and analyze complex optical systems for high energy lasers, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. This role requires independent judgment and expertise in optical engineering t...

2 weeks ago

  •   Less than 5 years exp.  •   Education, Government & Non-Profit

$135K - $160K *

Join a dynamic team as a Senior Engineering Manager, leading technical excellence and team growth. Drive engineering standards, mentor talent, and ensure high-quality delivery while aligning with busi...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Aerospace & Defense

$133K - $161K *

Drive innovation in aerospace by leading component selection and qualification efforts. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance product development and ensure compliance with industry stand...

1 week ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Consumer Technology

$97K - $142K *

Develop precision opto-mechanical subsystems by collaborating in a multidisciplinary team to design, analyze, and validate advanced semiconductor inspection solutions. Play a key role in the full prod...

3 weeks ago

  •   5 - 7 years exp.  •   Manufacturing & Automotive

$110K - $215K *

Join a dynamic team to drive the growth of innovative optical products. Collaborate across functions to develop strategies, engage customers, and identify market trends, ensuring competitive positioni...

Yesterday

  •   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.