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Entry Level Opt Engineer Jobs in Denver, CO (NOW HIRING)

Entry Level Opt Engineer information

See Denver, CO salary details

$30.9K

$71.4K

$121.5K

How much do entry level opt engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level opt engineer in Denver, CO is $71,393.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,000.00 and $80,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an entry level opt engineer?

Entry Level Opt Engineers are professionals who have recently started their careers in optical engineering. They typically work on the design, testing, and integration of optical systems such as lenses, lasers, and fiber optics for various industries, including telecommunications, healthcare, and manufacturing. These engineers often assist senior team members, perform experiments, collect data, and help troubleshoot optical components. They usually hold a bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or a related field, and may receive on-the-job training to develop their skills further.

What is the difference between Entry Level Opt Engineer vs Optical Technician?

AspectEntry Level Opt EngineerOptical Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in optics, physics, or engineeringAssociate's degree or technical certification in optics or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign, testing, and development in labs or engineering settingsAssembly, calibration, and maintenance in manufacturing or lab environments
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, research labs, optical device manufacturersOptical labs, manufacturing plants, healthcare facilities

Entry Level Opt Engineers focus on designing and testing optical systems, requiring a degree in engineering or physics. Optical Technicians handle assembly and calibration of optical devices, often with technical certifications. Both roles are essential in the optics industry but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level opt engineer?

To thrive as an Entry Level Opt Engineer, you need a strong background in optics, physics, and engineering principles, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in optical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), laboratory measurement tools, and CAD systems is commonly required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for collaborating with teams and presenting technical findings. These skills and qualifications enable precise optical system design, efficient troubleshooting, and successful integration into multidisciplinary engineering projects.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level opt engineers when transitioning from academia to industry?

Entry Level Opt Engineers often find that industry projects require faster turnaround times and more collaboration compared to academic work. Adapting to the use of commercial optical design software, learning company-specific protocols, and effectively communicating technical details with cross-functional teams can be challenging at first. Additionally, balancing multiple projects simultaneously and aligning design solutions with customer requirements are key aspects that may differ from academic research. Proactively seeking mentorship and being open to feedback can help ease this transition.
Infographic showing various Entry Level Opt Engineer job openings in Denver, CO as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $71,393 per year, or $34.3 per hour.

Junior Machine Learning Engineer/Bi Analyst-remote

SynergisticIT

Denver, CO • On-site

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

The Secret to Getting Hired in Tech Again ? Get Interviews and Get Hired” Getting hired in tech isn’t just about knowing how to code — it’s about proving you can deliver value from day one. SynergisticIT helps you do exactly that. With hands‑on tech projects and personalized interview coaching, you’ll build a profile that employers trust. Also get your resume directly to Fortune 500 companies, giving you access to opportunities that bypass traditional hiring barriers. Whether you’re a recent CS graduate or someone returning after a career gap, Synergisticit gives you the credibility and visibility needed to secure your next role. You’ve worked hard to build your skills, but employers won’t notice unless your profile is positioned correctly. If your applications disappear into a black hole, you’re experiencing the modern hiring funnel. Most resumes never reach a hiring manager. They’re filtered by ATS systems, keyword screening, and recruiters looking for job-ready signals—specific stacks, strong project depth, relevant certifications, and clear experience narratives. That’s why “I applied a lot” often leads to silence. The fix is not more applications. The fix is improving what your application communicates in the first 10 seconds. Most rejections happen before a human ever sees your resume. Applicant tracking systems filter out thousands of qualified candidates every day. SynergisticIT helps you beat the system by optimizing your resume, preparing you for technical interviews, and marketing your profile directly to Fortune 500 clients. No more getting lost in automated filters. Whether you’re a new grad, someone with a career gap, or a laid‑off developer, JOPP ensures your skills reach real hiring managers. If you want to bypass the noise and get real opportunities, JOPP is built for you. Since 2010, SynergisticIT has helped candidates land full-time roles at organizations such as Google, Apple, PayPal, Visa, Western Union, Wells Fargo, Intel, Walmart Labs, Citi, JPMC, Bank of America, Deloitte, and hundreds more. Many JOPP graduates achieve offers in the $90,000 to $154,000 range depending on their role focus and skill coverage. Our purpose is to align your skills and profile with what employers are hiring for right now—so you get responses, interviews, and offers. Why you may not be getting replies Your resume lacks stack clarity (recruiters can’t quickly see your fit) Projects look like tutorials (no depth, no real-world features, no measurable outcomes) Skills are scattered (no coherent narrative: “What role are you targeting?”) You’re missing job-market staples (Git, CI/CD basics, APIs, cloud exposure, SQL) You’re not speaking the language of the job description SynergisticIT approaches this from both angles: build real skills and build a market-ready profile. preparing you for screening, interview calls, technical rounds, and offer negotiation readiness. Target roles and stacks Current demand often includes entry-level software programmers, Java full stack developers, Python/Java developers, DevOps engineers, data analysts, data engineers, data scientists, and ML/AI engineers. The focus remains consistent: Java / Full Stack / DevOps plus Data Analytics / Data Engineering / Data Science / Machine Learning / AI. This breadth matters because today’s employers value candidates who can handle more than one layer of the system. Ideal candidates for response-building support Recent grads, laid-off professionals, career switchers, candidates with gaps, experienced applicants not hearing back, and F1/OPT jobseekers needing a stable tech role. SynergisticIT also provides support and guidance around STEM extension, and process support related to H-1B and Green Card filing once employed (as applicable through employers). Please read our blogs please read our blogs Why do Tech Companies not Hire recent Computer Science Graduates | https://www.synergisticit.com/why-tech-companies-dont-hire-recent-cs-graduates/ Technical Skills or Experience? | Which one is important to get a Job? | https://www.synergisticit.com/tech-skill-or-experience-which-one-is-more-important-for-a-jobseeker/ Please check below links: Event videos (OCW, JavaOne, Gartner): https://fast.wistia.com/embed/channel/k4mlq69ekl USA Today feature Discover JOPP: https://www.synergisticit.com/jopp/ Contact: https://www.synergisticit.com/contact-us/ If recruiters aren’t responding, it’s not the end—it’s feedback. And you can fix it with the right plan. Please note: Resume databases are shared with clients and interested clients will reach out directly if they find a qualified candidate for their req. Resume submissions may be shared with our JOPP team database also. Please unsubscribe if contacted or if you don’t want to be contacted please don’t submit your resume.