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Head Display Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Optical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$150K - $194K/yr

... panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with ... Masters or PhD in Optical engineering (preferred) or Physics * Three to five years of professional ...

Senior Optical Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$147K - $190K/yr

... panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with ... We are looking for a Senior Optical Engineer to design, develop, build and qualify various optical ...

Senior Optical Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$150K - $194K/yr

... panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with ... Masters or PhD in Optical engineering (preferred) or Physics * Three to five years of professional ...

We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display ... Our Engineered Optics team is creating new super thin (sub micron) optical surfaces based on ...

$220K - $292K/yr

You will help develop and optimize advanced display test and calibration processes and station ... MS in Optical Science or Optical Engineering * Demonstrated first principles approach to complex ...

Optical Test Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$141K - $161K/yr

Cupertino, CA /Optical Engineering /Full-Time Mojo Vision is pioneering a highly flexible, wafers ... Experience with optoelectronic, photonic, semiconductor, display, micro-LED, imaging, or optical ...

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Head Display Optical Engineer information

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$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

How much do head display optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for head display 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 does a Head Display Optical Engineer do?

A Head Display Optical Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing the optical systems used in head-mounted displays, such as those found in virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) devices. They work on components like lenses, waveguides, and light sources to ensure high image quality, minimal distortion, and user comfort. Their role often involves prototyping, testing, and collaborating with interdisciplinary teams to bring advanced display technologies from concept to production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Head Display Optical Engineer?

To thrive as a Head Display Optical Engineer, you need a strong background in optical engineering, physics, and display technologies, typically supported by a relevant degree and experience with optical system design. Proficiency with optical simulation tools like Zemax or LightTools, as well as familiarity with CAD software and prototyping equipment, is commonly required. Exceptional problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective cross-disciplinary communication are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities are essential for developing innovative, high-performance display systems that meet rigorous industry standards and user needs.

What are some common challenges faced by a Head Display Optical Engineer when leading cross-functional teams in display technology projects?

A Head Display Optical Engineer often encounters challenges such as aligning the optical design requirements with electrical, mechanical, and software constraints. Coordinating between diverse teams—like hardware engineers, product designers, and manufacturing specialists—requires clear communication to ensure that optical performance goals are met without compromising on manufacturability or user experience. Additionally, staying ahead of rapid technological advancements and managing project timelines can be demanding. Successfully navigating these challenges calls for strong leadership, adaptability, and a collaborative mindset.

What is the difference between Head Display Optical Engineer vs Head Display Optical Engineer?

AspectHead Display Optical Engineer

Since the comparison is with the same job title, there is no difference between Head Display Optical Engineer and Head Display Optical Engineer. Both roles typically involve designing and developing optical systems for head-mounted displays, requiring similar skills, certifications, and work environments. They are used interchangeably in the industry, and professionals in this field often search for or compare these terms to understand job requirements or opportunities.

What are popular job titles related to Head Display Optical Engineer jobs?

For Head Display Optical Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Head Display Optical Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.

Senior Optical Engineer

Milpitas, CA • On-site

$150K - $194K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Design, develop, build, and qualify optical subsystems for inspection tools.

  • Perform optical system design, alignment methodology, and analysis of optical modules.

  • Lead the design of a custom metrology system to verify and adjust optical performance.


Job description

Company Overview
KLA is a global leader in diversified electronics for the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem. Virtually every electronic device in the world is produced using our technologies. No laptop, smartphone, wearable device, voice-controlled gadget, flexible screen, VR device or smart car would have made it into your hands without us. KLA invents systems and solutions for the manufacturing of wafers and reticles, integrated circuits, packaging, printed circuit boards and flat panel displays. The innovative ideas and devices that are advancing humanity all begin with inspiration, research and development. KLA focuses more than average on innovation and we invest 15% of sales back into R&D. Our expert teams of physicists, engineers, data scientists and problem-solvers work together with the world's leading technology providers to accelerate the delivery of tomorrow's electronic devices. Life here is exciting and our teams thrive on tackling really hard problems. There is never a dull moment with us.
Group/Division
With over 40 years of semiconductor process control experience, chipmakers around the globe rely on KLA to ensure that their fabs ramp next-generation devices to volume production quickly and cost-effectively. Enabling the movement towards advanced chip design, KLA's Global Products Group (GPG), which is responsible for creating all of KLA's metrology and inspection products, is looking for the best and the brightest research scientist, software engineers, application development engineers, and senior product technology process engineers. The RAPID division is the world leading provider of reticle inspection solutions for the semiconductor industry. The company provides inspection solutions to both the mask shops and the semiconductor fabs to ensure that lithography yields are consistently high thus enabling cost-effective manufacturing.
Job Description/Preferred Qualifications
We are looking for a Senior Optical Engineer to design, develop, build and qualify various optical subsystems that make up the inspection tool! Your work will include optical system design, optical alignment methodology, and analysis of various optical modules. You will also lead the design of a custom metrology system to verify and adjust the optical performance of our primary optical system. You will interact closely with the systems engineering group to define performance criteria and system level specification. During the design phase, you will work with hardware and software design teams following a rigorous product design protocol. Additional tasks include creating optical models, statistical tolerance analysis, performance predictions, leading design reviews, creating test procedures, and selecting suppliers.
Responsibilities
  • Investigate different design options and finding the best option through evaluating tolerances, manufacturability, light budgets and other trade-offs.
  • Translate system or subsystem requirements into optical design and manufacturing requirements.
  • Perform thorough tolerancing analysis to have a complete system design with full consideration of alignment process and metrology, system calibrations and opto-mech design limitations by working with other groups (systems, ME).
  • Design and implement optical alignment and metrology process, test/tooling fixtures to achieve targeted optical performance.
  • Follows complete design process, including design reviews, part procurement from vendors, testing, integration, and release.
  • Investigate issues from customers or manufacturing and provide option design solution or work-around.
  • Propose optical design improvements to enhance a tool performance such as SNR or throughput or manufacturability.
  • Debug and solving of any optical problems that arise with the system.

Qualifications
  • Optical design in imaging and illumination systems delivering in-spec performance, cost and manufacturability on time.
  • Statistical optical component and alignment tolerancing
  • Able to create specs for precision opto-mechanical assemblies
  • Proficiency in optical modeling software such as Code V or Zemax or LightTools
  • Non-sequential ray tracing using Light Tools to model high precision optics surface scattering, conduct stray light analysis
  • Optical module and system build, alignment and debugging
  • Test stand design and build: concept, error budget, realization
  • Knowledge with diverse optical devices and components such as objectives, collimator, CGH, and relay optics, fibers, cameras, lasers and detectors
  • Strong understanding in optics and physics enabling to analyze complex optical phenomena
  • Proficiency in computing language such as Matlab, Python

Skills
  • Ability to learn and apply new information or skills.
  • Strong customer focus and commitment to customer satisfaction through prioritization, quality, efficiency, and professionalism.
  • Ability to complete assignments with attention to detail and high degree of accuracy.
  • Ability to perform effectively in a demanding environment with changing workloads and deadlines.
  • Result driven-demonstrate ownership and accountability.
  • Identifies bottlenecks and drives improvements.
  • Work independently or as part of a team and follow through on assignments with minimal supervision.
  • Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with manager, co-workers, and customer.
  • Be able to quickly acquire technical knowledge from documentation and on-the-job training and be capable of thoroughly investigating technical issues (analytically and hands-on in a lab).
  • Strong communication and presentation skill. Must have capability to clearly communicate progress and status of assignments to colleagues, key stakeholder, managers via documents or presentations.

Experience
  • Product development or research experience in high precision optics or optical module.
  • Experience in working with engineers across disciplines to solve complex problems in a timely manner.

Preferred
  • Masters or PhD in Optical engineering (preferred) or Physics
  • Three to five years of professional experience in high end optical system development; microscope experience is a bonus
  • Experience in high precision optical tools' manufacturing is bonus, not mandatory.
  • Highly desired to have strong background in following areas: Geometrical optics, Fourier optics, Lens design, Radiometry, Optical metrology, Illumination optics, Optical imaging system, Optical alignment, Polarization, Optical aberration

Minimum Qualifications
Doctorate (Academic) Degree and 0 years related work experience; Master's Level Degree and related work experience of 3 years; Bachelor's Level Degree and related work experience of 5 years
Base Pay Range: $117,800.00 - $200,300.00 Annually
Primary Location: USA-CA-Milpitas-KLA
KLA's total rewards package for employees may also include participation in performance incentive programs and eligibility for additional benefits including but not limited to: medical, dental, vision, life, and other voluntary benefits, 401(K) including company matching, employee stock purchase program (ESPP), student debt assistance, tuition reimbursement program, development and career growth opportunities and programs, financial planning benefits, wellness benefits including an employee assistance program (EAP), paid time off and paid company holidays, and family care and bonding leave.
Interns are eligible for some of the benefits listed. Our pay ranges are determined by role, level, and location. The range displayed reflects the pay for this position in the primary location identified in this posting. Actual pay depends on several factors, including state minimum pay wage rates, location, job-related skills, experience, and relevant education level or training. We are committed to complying with all applicable federal and state minimum wage requirements where applicable. If applicable, your recruiter can share more about the specific pay range for your preferred location during the hiring process.
KLA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We will ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us at talent.acquisition@kla.com or at +1-408-352-2808 to request accommodation.
Be aware of potentially fraudulent job postings or suspicious recruiting activity by persons that are currently posing as KLA employees. KLA never asks for any financial compensation to be considered for an interview, to become an employee, or for equipment. Further, KLA does not work with any recruiters or third parties who charge such fees either directly or on behalf of KLA. Please ensure that you have searched KLA's Careers website for legitimate job postings. KLA follows a recruiting process that involves multiple interviews in person or on video conferencing with our hiring managers. If you are concerned that a communication, an interview, an offer of employment, or that an employee is not legitimate, please send an email to talent.acquisition@kla.com to confirm the person you are communicating with is an employee. We take your privacy very seriously and confidentially handle your information.