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Director Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

DiaSorin

OPTICAL ENGINEER

Austin, TX

$128K - $166K/yr

Lens design and optical engineering to drive development of optical and opto-mechanical systems and ... Direct experience in flow cytometry is a definite advantage preferred * Sufficient technical ...

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DiaSorin

OPTICAL ENGINEER

Austin, TX · On-site

$128K - $166K/yr

Lens design and optical engineering to drive development of optical and opto-mechanical systems and ... Direct experience in flow cytometry is a definite advantage preferred * Sufficient technical ...

Applied Energetics, Inc

Senior Optical Engineer

Tucson, AZ

$110K - $143K/yr

Guided by our vision, " Directed Energy, Anywhere ", we build compact, high-performance systems ... Why This Role Matters We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Optical Engineer to play a key role in ...

Applied Energetics, Inc

Senior Optical Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$115K - $165K/yr

Guided by our vision, " Directed Energy, Anywhere ", we build compact, high-performance systems ... Why This Role Matters We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Optical Engineer to play a key role in ...

Actalent

Optical Engineer

Rochester, MN

$125K - $163K/yr

Provide innovative engineering solutions and direct technical support to help achieve design ... Ability to design optical systems using Code V (Code 5) or Zemax. * Strong experience in optical ...

Aeva, Inc.

Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$132K - $179K/yr

Direct specification development for detailed drawings of optical components * Generate and document new IP What you have: * Bachelors or Masters in optical engineering, physics, or related field ...

Aeva, Inc.

Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA

$132K - $179K/yr

Direct specification development for detailed drawings of optical components * Generate and document new IP What you have: * Bachelors or Masters in optical engineering, physics, or related field ...

Aeva, Inc.

Optical Engineer

Mountain View, CA · On-site

$132K - $179K/yr

Direct specification development for detailed drawings of optical components * Generate and document new IP What you have: * Bachelors or Masters in optical engineering, physics, or related field ...

WIT Recruiting

Staff Optical Engineer

San Francisco, CA

$170K - $230K/yr

Base pay range $170,000.00/yr - $230,000.00/yr Direct message the job poster from WIT Recruiting Staff Optical Engineer (10+ years of experience) - LiDAR Systems Candidates must be within a 15-minute ...

Trialon Corporation

Optical Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI

$122K - $158K/yr

... direct placements. Trialon provides people throughout North America in many technical fields ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering (in optics/physics) or Engineering/Mathematics background or ...

Trialon Corporation

Optical Engineer

Auburn Hills, MI · On-site

$122K - $158K/yr

... direct placements. Trialon provides people throughout North America in many technical fields ... Bachelor's degree in Engineering (in optics/physics) or Engineering/Mathematics background or ...

Intuitive Machines LLC

Jr Optical Engineer

Greenbelt, MD · On-site

$82K - $91K/yr

Perform additional duties and project assignments as directed by management. Preferred Qualifications * Bachelor's degree or higher in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsDirector Optical Engineer Jobs

Director Optical Engineer information

See salary details

$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

How much do director optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for director optical engineer in the United States is $143,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

AspectDirector Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's/PhD in optics, physics, or engineering; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in optics, physics, or engineering
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles in R&D, product development, managing teamsDesign, testing, and development of optical systems
Industry UsageStrategic oversight, project management, cross-department coordinationHands-on technical work, prototype development, testing

The main difference is that a Director Optical Engineer focuses on strategic leadership, team management, and project oversight, while an Optical Engineer is primarily involved in technical design and development tasks. The director role requires more experience and leadership skills, whereas the optical engineer role emphasizes technical expertise and hands-on work.

More about Director Optical Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Optical Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Director Optical Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Director Optical Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Optical Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Optical Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Optical Engineer jobs are:
Director Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Optical Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 82% In-person, and 18% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.
Director, Optical Development Engineering

Director, Optical Development Engineering

Super Micro Computer

San Jose, CA • On-site

$200K - $245K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Job Req ID: 29311
About Supermicro:
Supermicro® is a Top Tier provider of advanced server, storage, and networking solutions for Data Center, Cloud Computing, Enterprise IT, Hadoop/ Big Data, Hyperscale, HPC and IoT/Embedded customers worldwide. We are the #5 fastest growing company among the Silicon Valley Top 50 technology firms. Our unprecedented global expansion has provided us with the opportunity to offer a large number of new positions to the technology community. We seek talented, passionate, and committed engineers, technologists, and business leaders to join us.
Job Summary:
The Director, Optical Development Engineering is responsible for leading the design, development, and qualification of advanced optical products and technologies. This role manages a team of optical development engineers and works cross-functionally to deliver innovative, high-quality optical solutions from concept through mass production.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Lead and manage a team of optical development engineers to design and develop optical systems and components.
  • Drive product development from concept, design verification, and validation to mass production.
  • Oversee optical system architecture, simulation, prototyping, and performance optimization.
  • Ensure compliance with industry standards, reliability requirements, and customer specifications.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams including mechanical, electrical, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.
  • Manage project schedules, resources, risks, and budgets to meet business objectives.
  • Work closely with suppliers and manufacturing partners to ensure product quality and scalability.
  • Support customer engagements, technical reviews, and executive presentations as needed.
  • Promote innovation, continuous improvement, and technical excellence within the team.

Qualifications:
  • Master's or Ph.D. degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
  • 15+ years of experience in optical product development, with at least 8 years in a managerial role.
  • Strong expertise in optical system design, fiber optics, photonics, and high-speed interconnect technologies.
  • Familiarity with optical simulation tools and high-speed signal integrity analysis.
  • Hands-on experience with optical components such as lasers, modulators, photo detectors, and transceivers.
  • Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and complex development programs.
  • Solid understanding of reliability testing, qualification processes, and industry standards.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; Mandarin proficiency is a plus.

Salary Range
$200,000 - $245,000
The salary offered will depend on several factors, including your location, level, education, training, specific skills, years of experience, and comparison to other employees already in this role. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation, such as participation in bonus and equity award programs.
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