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Director Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Fibertek

Optical Communication Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$132K - $171K/yr

Job duties: As an optical communications engineer, you will be responsible for designing and ... You will use your direct hands-on experience to support the build, alignment, and performance ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

Camas, WA · On-site

$103K - $135K/yr

Summary The Directed Energy Laser Development group has an opening for a Senior Optical Engineer to support the development of high-power fiber amplifiers. This position will develop next-generation ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

Camas, WA

$103K - $135K/yr

Summary The Directed Energy Laser Development group has an opening for a Senior Optical Engineer to support the development of high-power fiber amplifiers. This position will develop next-generation ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

Camas, WA

$103K - $135K/yr

Summary The Directed Energy Laser Development group has an opening for a Senior Optical Engineer to support the development of high-power fiber amplifiers. This position will develop next-generation ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

Camas, WA

Summary The Directed Energy Laser Development group has an opening for a Senior Optical Engineer to support the development of high-power fiber amplifiers. This position will develop next-generation ...

PZI International

Aero-Optics Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

This position includes developing optical instrumentation for integration into one-of-a-kind ... While direct experience with aero-optics instrumentation, wind tunnel testing, or data analysis and ...

PZI International

Aero-Optics Engineer

Huntsville, AL · On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

This position includes developing optical instrumentation for integration into one-of-a-kind ... While direct experience with aero-optics instrumentation, wind tunnel testing, or data analysis and ...

Marvell

Optical Engineer, Senior Staff

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$151K - $196K/yr

... of engineering design, process development, and productization for Marvell's optics DCI product ... Direct experience in the standard Si/CMOS/MEMS process technologies required for fabrication and ...

Fibertek, Inc

Optical Communication Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$132K - $171K/yr

Job Title Optical Communication Engineer Location Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary ... You will use your direct hands-on experience to support the build, alignment, and performance ...

MITRE

Optical Engineer Senior

Mclean, VA · On-site

$126K - $158K/yr

... engineer or scientist with experience in optical physics and lasers to work in a dynamic ... The candidate will develop and evaluate directed energy systems for a wide range of missions and ...

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Director Optical Engineer information

See salary details

$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

How much do director optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 6, 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 May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.
Post-Doc (Physics/Optics) / Optical Engineer

Post-Doc (Physics/Optics) / Optical Engineer

W3Global Inc.

Kent, OH

$65K - $100K/yr

Full-time, Temporary

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Industrial Post-Doc / Optical Engineer

Position Overview
A growing defense technology organization is seeking a Post-Doctoral Researcher or experienced Optical Engineer to support research and development efforts focused on directed-energy systems, advanced optics, lasers, sensors, and counter-drone technologies. This role involves collaborating with scientists, engineers, and program managers to design, develop, integrate, and test innovative optical solutions for defense and commercial applications.

Key Responsibilities

  • Conduct research and development involving lasers, optical systems, and sensor integration.

  • Design, build, and evaluate prototype systems for advanced optical and directed-energy applications.

  • Develop and execute laser-based experiments in laboratory environments.

  • Perform optical system modeling, lens design, and optical component integration.

  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to transition research concepts into deployable solutions.

  • Prepare technical documentation and communicate findings effectively to internal and external stakeholders.

Required Skills

  • Hands-on experience working with lasers, optics, electronics, and optoelectronic systems.

  • Knowledge of optical system design, lens development, and system modeling.

  • Familiarity with laboratory optical bench setups and laser safety practices.

  • Ability to independently develop research plans and rapidly learn new technologies.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  • Capable of working both independently and within a collaborative team environment.

Qualifications

  • MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or a related technical field.

  • Strong understanding of laser technologies, optical system design, manufacturing processes, and industry standards.

  • Experience integrating optical components such as lenses, mirrors, reflectors, and diffractive elements into system designs.

  • Prior experience in laser laboratory environments.

  • Demonstrated problem-solving ability and critical-thinking skills.

  • Self-motivated, proactive, and capable of working with minimal supervision.

Preferred Attributes

  • Positive attitude and strong work ethic.

  • Comfortable in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.

  • Flexible and adaptable to changing project needs.

  • Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work with diverse teams.

  • Willingness to take ownership of multiple responsibilities and contribute across various project areas.

Additional Requirements

  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.

  • Ability to work onsite full-time in Kent, Ohio.

Company Description

W3Global was established in 2006 in Fremont, CA with a vision: simplify the recruiting process and develop an industry-disrupting platform to connect candidates with clients. Our cutting-edge Applicant Tracking System enables us to find the right person for the right job, creating value for job seekers and employers. While W3Global initially focused on IT staffing, we have expanded the business to serve many other industries, including accounting and finance, legal, engineering, human resources, government and more.
We’re proud of the investments we’ve made in our team, having grown from four to 1000 employees and evolving into one of the leading recruitment and staffing solution providers in the industry. Our recruiters and account managers are passionate about connecting qualified professionals with the right positions in small, medium, and large companies.
Our Services
W3Global understands the natural ups and downs of an organization’s staffing needs. We are continuously adapting to industry and economic changes to find the right candidates.
We specialize in placing permanent, direct, contract, and temporary positions for companies of any size. Our recruiting services include sourcing, recruiting, screening, interview management, salary negotiations, training, and onboarding.
We are committed to helping organizations redefine their recruitment process by delivering our SaaS-based proprietary application tracking system software.
Our Expertise
W3Global has been delivering staffing solutions for nearly two decades; we know which recruiting strategies work best. Our expert team is committed to developing a customized solution to fit your company’s unique needs.
As a W3Global client, you’ll also receive personalized assistance from a seasoned team of staffing specialists. We are committed to providing both technical support and industry expertise to simplify the hiring process. We know that your time matters. W3Global will help you streamline the hiring process, getting it done and getting it right.
W3Global logo

About W3Global

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

W3Global has been delivering staffing solutions for nearly two decades; we know which recruiting strategies work best. Our expert team is committed to developing a customized solution to fit your company’s unique needs. As a W3Global client, you’ll also receive personalized assistance from a seasoned team of staffing specialists. We are committed to providing both technical support and industry expertise to simplify the hiring process. We know that your time matters. W3Global will help you streamline the hiring process, getting it done and getting it right.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Frisco, TX, US

Year founded

2006

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