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Full Time Principal Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

QuEra Computing, Inc.

Principal Optical Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$151K - $236K/yr

Principal Optical Engineer The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Principal Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company ...

Microsoft

Principal Optical Engineer

Redmond, WA · On-site

We are looking for a Principal Optical Engineer to join the System Design team. #SCHIE #azurehwjobs Responsibilities Generally, this Principal Optical Engineer role will act as a subject matter ...

QinetiQ US

Principal Optical Engineer

Lorton, VA

$130K - $168K/yr

QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Principal Optical Engineer with strong laboratory and prototype integration experience to support system integration on multiple defense-oriented programs through ...

QinetiQ

Principal Optical Engineer

Lorton, VA

Position Overview QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Principal Optical Engineer with strong laboratory and prototype integration experience to support system integration on multiple defense ...

QinetiQ

Principal Optical Engineer

Lorton, VA

Position Overview QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Principal Optical Engineer with strong laboratory and prototype integration experience to support system integration on multiple defense ...

QinetiQ

Principal Optical Engineer

Lorton, VA

Position Overview QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Principal Optical Engineer with strong laboratory and prototype integration experience to support system integration on multiple defense ...

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Principal Optical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$175K - $195K/yr

To manufacture these products, Systems Irvine is seeking individuals like you to join our team as Principal Optical Engineer. In this position, you will provide technical leadership in the design and ...

OMNIVISION

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

The Sr/Staff/Principal Optical Engineer works in an aggressive, fast-paced R&D environment to develop and design optical structure to improve image sensor performance. Responsibilities: * Design ...

MKS Instruments, Inc.

Principal Optical Engineer

Irvine, CA · Hybrid

$175K - $195K/yr

To manufacture these products, Systems Irvine is seeking individuals like you to join our team as Principal Optical Engineer. In this position, you will provide technical leadership in the design and ...

OMNIVISION

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

$120K - $200K/yr

The Sr/Staff/Principal Optical Engineer works in an aggressive, fast-paced R&D environment to develop and design optical structure to improve image sensor performance. Responsibilities: * Design ...

OMNIVISION

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA

The Sr/Staff/Principal Optical Engineer works in an aggressive, fast-paced R&D environment to develop and design optical structure to improve image sensor performance. Responsibilities: * Design ...

Raytheon

Principal Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$137K - $177K/yr

Raytheon in El Segundo, CA seeks an Optical Engineer willing to apply their interest, training, and knowledge to optical design, analysis, assembly, integration, and test. Our Space Optics Department ...

Raytheon

Principal Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$137K - $177K/yr

Raytheon in El Segundo, CA seeks an Optical Engineer willing to apply their interest, training, and knowledge to optical design, analysis, assembly, integration, and test. Our Space Optics Department ...

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All JobsFull Time Principal Optical Engineer Jobs

Full Time Principal Optical Engineer information

See salary details

$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do full time principal optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for full time principal optical engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Full Time Principal Optical Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectFull Time Principal Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's/PhD in Optical Engineering or related field; extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch and development, product design, leadership roles in industryDesign, testing, and development tasks within engineering teams
Industry UsageUsed in advanced R&D, product innovation, and technical leadershipCommon in manufacturing, testing, and application development

The main difference is that a Full Time Principal Optical Engineer typically holds a senior, leadership role with extensive experience and responsibilities in R&D and product development, whereas an Optical Engineer focuses on design, testing, and implementation tasks within engineering teams. The principal role involves strategic oversight and innovation, while the optical engineer executes technical tasks.

What cities are hiring for Full Time Principal Optical Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Full Time Principal Optical Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Optical Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Principal Optical Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Full Time Principal Optical Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Full Time Principal Optical Engineer jobs include:
Full Time Principal Optical Engineer jobs near you
Principal Optical Engineer

Principal Optical Engineer

QuEra Computing, Inc.

Boston, MA • On-site

$151K - $236K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Principal Optical Engineer
The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Principal Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company's mission of building state-of-the-art, manufacturable, and deployable neutral atom quantum computers. The Hardware Engineering Group plays a crucial role in accelerating the company's technology leadership and translating the company's scientific breakthroughs into products delivered to customers. To accomplish this mission, we are looking to hire a candidate with graduate-level education in optics, optical engineering, or applied physics with industry experience in an enterprise engineering environment. The ideal candidate will combine a deep, fundamental understanding of several areas of optics, design, and engineering. Although candidates with a Ph.D. in physics may be considered, applicants should ensure they have sufficient professional experience beyond academia in an enterprise engineering environment to establish themselves independently as a Principal-level engineer.
Key Job Responsibilities
  • Optical module design and development
  • Work with physicists to understand requirements and architect optical systems, sub-systems, modules, and components to support QuEra's neutral atom computers through the full development lifecycle (R&D, productization, maintenance, and beyond).
  • Technically lead an interdisciplinary team of engineers (optical, electronic, mechanical, etc.) through the product development process to take an optical module from early phase concept through to implementation and production.
  • Advance state-of-the-art engineering practices at QuEra through independent research, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Coordinate closely with the R&D/science team to enable cutting-edge R&D and translate scientific advances into the next generation of products.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues at company headquarters and off-site installations at customer locations (in coordination with local support team).

Qualifications
Required:
  • Master's degree in optics, optical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field.
  • 10-15 years non-academic work experience. Experience at an enterprise scale as well as startup preferred.
  • Deep experience and knowledge of
    • Free-space optics
    • Lens design
    • Fiber optics
    • Lasers
    • Optical system characterization and testing
    • Opto-mechanics
  • Experience bringing complex optical systems from concept to production
  • Expertise with using Mechanical CAD software (e.g. Inventor, Solidworks), Product Data Management (PDM) software, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software
  • Expertise with Optical simulation software (e.g. Zemax)

Preferred:
  • Experience with quantum computing, especially neutral atom
  • Professional work experience in commercial product development and off-site product deployment at customer premises.

#LI-DA1
The approximate base salary range for this position is $151,200 - $236,250.
We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly. We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience. In addition to our base salary offerings, we also provide equity grants for all new hires.
QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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