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Camera Lens Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Camera Mechanical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Tolerance analysis of high complexity and precision mechanical designs with excellent understanding ...

Camera Mechanical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$93K - $127K/yr

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Tolerance analysis of high complexity and precision mechanical designs with excellent understanding ...

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Direct FEA engineers on evaluation of camera designs. Ideal candidate will have 3+ years of ...

... for designing and developing industry leading optical instruments for metrology systems. These ... AR/VR display, camera lens, camera, OCT, LIDAR, microscopy, spectroscopy, optical wavefront ...

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Direct FEA engineers on evaluation of camera designs. Preferred Qualifications MS degree and 10+ ...

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Direct FEA engineers on evaluation of camera designs. Ideal candidate will have 3+ years of ...

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... designs and component parts Work with component part and camera manufacturing partners on design ...

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Direct FEA engineers on evaluation of camera designs. Preferred Qualifications MS degree and 3+ ...

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Direct FEA engineers on evaluation of camera designs. Ideal candidate will have 3+ years of ...

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Direct FEA engineers on evaluation of camera designs. Preferred Qualifications 10+ years of ...

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Direct FEA engineers on evaluation of camera designs. * Ideal candidate will have 3+ years of ...

... lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify ... Perform rigorous tolerance analysis of module designs and component parts. Work with component part ...

$45/hr

Have strong on-camera presence - you're confident, personable, and natural in front of a lens. This ... was designed with actors, artists, and other creative professionals in mind - people who are ...

Broad knowledge of lens optics and camera module integration is also needed. As a leading ... In addition, our highly competitive benefits package is designed to support your success at work ...

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Camera Lens Designer information

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$11

$28

$47

How much do camera lens designer jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for camera lens designer in the United States is $28.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.56 and $33.89 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a camera lens designer do?

A Camera Lens Designer is responsible for creating and optimizing optical lens systems used in cameras and other imaging devices. This role involves applying principles of physics and engineering to design lenses that meet specific performance criteria such as resolution, brightness, and size. Camera Lens Designers use specialized software to model lens behavior, test prototypes, and work closely with manufacturing teams to ensure lenses can be produced to required specifications. Their work is crucial in industries ranging from photography and cinematography to smartphones, microscopes, and telescopes.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a camera lens designer?

To thrive as a Camera Lens Designer, you need a solid background in optical engineering, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a degree in optics or a related field. Proficiency with optical design software such as Zemax or Code V and familiarity with CAD tools are essential, along with knowledge of lens manufacturing processes. Strong problem-solving skills, creativity, and attention to detail set top designers apart, as does effective communication for working with cross-functional teams. These skills and qualities are critical for creating innovative, high-performance lenses that meet both technical requirements and market demands.

What are some common challenges faced by camera lens designers when working on new optical systems?

Camera lens designers often face the challenge of balancing optical performance with manufacturing constraints, such as cost, size, and weight. Achieving high image quality—like minimizing aberrations and maximizing sharpness—while keeping the lens compact and affordable can be complex. Designers must also frequently collaborate with mechanical engineers, product designers, and manufacturing teams to ensure their optical solutions integrate seamlessly into the final product. Staying up-to-date with new materials and simulation tools is essential for continuous innovation in this rapidly evolving field.

What is the difference between Camera Lens Designer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectCamera Lens DesignerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, R&D departments, manufacturing facilitiesResearch labs, R&D departments, manufacturing facilities
Industry UsageConsumer electronics, camera manufacturing, optics companiesVarious industries including aerospace, defense, medical devices, and consumer optics
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

While both Camera Lens Designers and Optical Engineers work with optical systems and share similar educational backgrounds, Camera Lens Designers focus specifically on creating and optimizing camera lenses for imaging devices. Optical Engineers have a broader scope, working on various optical systems across multiple industries. The roles often overlap, but the primary distinction lies in the application focus and industry specialization.

What are popular job titles related to Camera Lens Designer jobs?

For Camera Lens Designer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Camera Lens Designer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 35% Physical, and 65% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $59,723 per year, or $28.7 per hour.

Camera Mechanical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Apple
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees

$93K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 684 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other's ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It's the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you'll do more than join something - you'll add something.
Do you love taking on big challenges that require exceptionally creative solutions? Do you deeply understand how an incredible camera experience should work? As part of our Camera Technologies group, you'll help design the innovative technology that allows each generation of Apple products to produce photos even more incredible than the last. You'll design and develop groundbreaking ideas for everything involved in our camera systems, from sensor to lens. You'll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify camera hardware for Apple products. Together, we'll craft a magical photography experience that redefines what millions of customers can expect from their cameras.
Description
The Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test, and qualification of camera hardware for Apple products. We are searching for an extraordinary Hardware Engineer to take ownership in the development of very high-performance compact camera modules. We are seeking an engineer to take leadership of camera hardware projects in engagements with product and technology teams.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Optical Science, Physics, or related field.
Mechanical design experience using CAD 3D molding and drafting package.
Preferred Qualifications
MS degree and 3+ years relevant industry experience.
Experience with basic structural and thermal Finite Element Analysis (FEA).
Tolerance analysis of high complexity and precision mechanical designs with excellent understanding of GD&T.
Ability to design for plastic injection molding and metal stamping for mass production.
Experience with research, selection, testing, and process ability of various materials.
PCB design experience is a plus.
Experience with magnetic simulation, actuators, and voice coil motors (VCM) for camera modules.

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976