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Assistant Optical Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Leonardo DRS

Process Engineer II

Bolingbrook, IL

Bolingbrook IL Schedule: 9/80 The Electro Optical Infrared Systems (EOIS) line of business within ... equipment * Assist in training new team members * Interface with other team members to assure ...

Leonardo DRS

Process Engineer II

Bolingbrook, IL · On-site

Bolingbrook IL Schedule: 9/80 The Electro Optical Infrared Systems (EOIS) line of business within ... equipment * Assist in training new team members * Interface with other team members to assure ...

Trace3

Engineer (On-site)

Chicago, IL · On-site

... assist with proof-of-concept trials with new technologies. • Develop and maintain standards ... optic cables and optics (LC, SC, FC, Single Mode, Multimode, SR vs LR Optics). • Ability to ...

Trace3

Engineer: Tier 1 (On-site)

Chicago, IL · On-site

... assist with proof-of-concept trials with new technologies. • Develop and maintain standards ... optic cables and optics (LC, SC, FC, Single Mode, Multimode, SR vs LR Optics). • Ability to ...

HSG Tech Inc.

Applications Engineer

Addison, IL · On-site

$89K - $120K/yr

... - Assist in product development by relating customer and application insights to R&D Position ... systems, optics, and materials sciences is a plus - Familiarity with CAD/CAM software - Travel ...

HSG Tech Inc.

Applications Engineer

Addison, IL

$89K - $120K/yr

... - Assist in product development by relating customer and application insights to R&D Position ... systems, optics, and materials sciences is a plus - Familiarity with CAD/CAM software - Travel ...

HSG Tech Inc.

Applications Engineer

Addison, IL

$89K - $120K/yr

... - Assist in product development by relating customer and application insights to R&D Position ... systems, optics, and materials sciences is a plus - Familiarity with CAD/CAM software - Travel ...

viaPhoton

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Naperville, IL

$104K - $137K/yr

We're reimagining fiber optic manufacturing for the AI era. Manufacturing is no longer just an ... Mentor and assist junior engineers with various tasks and projects. * Participate in preparation of ...

Labor Solutions, LLC

Lighting Engineer

Libertyville, IL · On-site

$75K - $85K/yr

... · Assist sales and customer service with technical clarifications during quoting and order ... optics, and mounting methods o Dimming and basic controls o Environmental and application ...

Buckeye Mountain

Field Network Engineer

Chicago, IL

Maintain accurate records of hardware, cabling, and configuration for all active sites * Assist in ... Fiber optic splicing and termination Details * Location: Field-based -- Chicago, IL preferred ...

Cytovale, Inc

Field Service Engineer II

Chicago, IL · On-site +1

... Repairs: Assist with depot-level repairs as needed at the San Francisco Cytovale facility ... Working knowledge and understanding of optics, electronics, and mechanical principles is required ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsAssistant Optical Engineer JobsAssistant Optical Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Assistant Optical Engineer information

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How much do assistant optical engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for assistant optical engineer in Chicago, IL is $17.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.87 and $18.80 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Assistant Optical Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectAssistant Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in optics, physics, or related field; some experienceBachelor's or master's degree; more experience and specialized knowledge
Work EnvironmentAssists in design, testing, and research in labs or R&D teamsLeads projects, designs optical systems, and supervises testing
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in research labs, manufacturing, and tech companiesUsed in advanced R&D, product development, and engineering teams

The main difference between an Assistant Optical Engineer and an Optical Engineer lies in experience and responsibility. Assistant Optical Engineers support and assist in optical design and testing, often with less experience, while Optical Engineers take on more complex projects and leadership roles. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but Optical Engineers typically have more hands-on experience and specialized skills.

Are optical engineers in high demand?

Optical engineers are in high demand due to their expertise in designing and developing optical systems for industries such as telecommunications, healthcare, and defense. The field requires strong technical skills, knowledge of optics and photonics, and often a bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or physics. Job growth is driven by advancements in laser technology, imaging systems, and optical communications.

Does NASA hire optical engineers?

Yes, NASA hires optical engineers to work on projects involving space telescopes, imaging systems, and laser communications. These roles typically require expertise in optics, photonics, and related engineering skills, often with security clearances and advanced degrees. Optical engineers at NASA contribute to designing, testing, and maintaining optical instruments for space exploration and research.

What do optical engineers make?

Optical engineers typically earn salaries that vary based on experience, education, and location, with median annual wages often ranging from $70,000 to $120,000. They design, develop, and test optical systems and components, using tools like CAD software and optical testing equipment, and often require a bachelor's or higher degree in optics, physics, or engineering.

What engineer makes $500,000 a year?

Highly experienced engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum engineering, aerospace engineering, or certain senior roles in software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually. These positions often require advanced skills, extensive experience, and sometimes leadership responsibilities or working in high-paying industries.
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Assistant Optical Engineer jobs? Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Assistant Optical Engineer job openings:
Assistant Optical Engineer jobs near you

Photonics IC Validation and Characterization Engineer (title will reflect experience)

Eliyan

Mundelein, IL

Full-time

Re-posted 24 days ago

Job description

Eliyan is building NuLink, a proprietary die-to-die chiplet interconnect fabric purpose-built for AI infrastructure at hyperscale.  We're looking for a hands-on validation and characterization engineer working at the intersection of photonics, opto-electronics, and high-speed electrical interconnect. You'll bring up real devices, characterize optical modulators, lasers, photodiodes, and the analog circuits that drive and receive them, and feeding what you learn directly back to the designers shaping the next generation of parts.

This is a strong fit for someone who enjoys instruments and test & measurements as much as they enjoy code, and who wants to build deep, practical expertise in high-speed optical and electrical tests.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Perform high-speed electrical and optical testing of photonic integrated circuits, including optical modulators, laser sources, photodiodes, drivers and TIA using >20 GHz instrumentation.
  • Design and build laboratory setups comprised of light sources, detectors, fiber coupling and collimating optical components, microscopes, oscilloscopes, function and waveform generator, and translation stages.
  • Build and run test automation, then analyze and present the resulting data clearly to engineering and cross-functional audiences.
  • Understand raytracing and image formation, correlate SNR, OMA, ER simulations and measurements.
  • Debug measurement setups and devices methodically — isolating issues across the optical, electrical, and software domains.
  • Provide structured feedback to analog circuit designers on silicon performance, design quality, and operating margins.
  • Contribute to test plans, characterization reports, and lab documentation.
Qualifications:
  • 3+ years of experience.
  • MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
  • Exposure to wireline analog and digital signal processing concepts including CTLE, FFE, DFE, SNR, OMA, ER.
  • Hands-on lab instincts and a genuine interest in high-speed test and measurement.
  • Experience in high-speed and optical test equipment such as fast lasers and optical receivers, optical and electrical spectrum analyzers, AWG, BERT, oscilloscopes, DCA, DSO, VNA, and LCA.
  • Hands on experience in VCSEL, DFB lasers, photodiode, or SerDes, Optical I/O characterization.
  • Fluency in Python for test automation and data analysis.
  • Strong debugging, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Familiarity with RF and microwave, high-speed substrate and PCB design and manufacturing.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.