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Home Based Principal Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Inuplands

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

We are seeking an innovative and driven Principal Optical Engineer (PMTS) to lead the charge in ... based on optic, photonic and laser technologies. • Interacts with device, hardware and software ...

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of ... vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and ...

Atom Computing

Principal Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$160K - $185K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement ... materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not ...

Atom Computing

Principal Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$160K - $185K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement ... materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not ...

Draper

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$95K - $245K/yr

We are seeking an innovative and driven Principal Optical Engineer (PMTS) to lead the charge in ... Develops, builds and tests systems and products based on optic, photonic and laser technologies.

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP

$200 - $250/hr

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of ... based on the following considerations: job‑related knowledge and skills, education, and ...

Atom Computing

Principal Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$160K - $185K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement ... materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not ...

Draper Inc.

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

## Principal Optical EngineerApplyremote type: Onsite Requiredlocations: Cambridge, MAtime type: Full ... based on optic, photonic and laser technologies. • Interacts with device, hardware and software ...

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of ... vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and ...

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of ... vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and ...

Draper Labs

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$95K - $245K/yr

We are seeking an innovative and driven Principal Optical Engineer (PMTS) to lead the charge in ... Develops, builds and tests systems and products based on optic, photonic and laser technologies.

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Home Based Principal Optical Engineer information

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$74K

$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do home based principal optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for home based 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 Home Based Principal Optical Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectHome Based Principal Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
CredentialsTypically requires a bachelor's or master's in optical engineering or related field; professional certifications are a plusUsually holds a bachelor's or master's in optical engineering or related discipline
Work EnvironmentPrimarily remote, with occasional on-site visits or meetingsOften based in labs, manufacturing facilities, or offices, with some remote work
Industry UsageUsed in industries like telecommunications, defense, and consumer optics, often in senior or specialized rolesCommon in research, development, and manufacturing sectors within optics and photonics

The main difference is that the Home Based Principal Optical Engineer typically holds a senior, specialized role with remote work flexibility, while the Optical Engineer often works in more hands-on or lab environments. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds, but the principal position involves higher-level responsibilities and strategic oversight.

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Home Based Principal Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Home Based Principal Optical Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 14% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Optical Engineer

Boston, MA • On-site

QuEra Computing, Inc.
Scientific Research and Development Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about QuEra Computing, Inc.external

$180K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design and develop optical modules to support neutral atom quantum computers throughout the full development lifecycle.

  • Lead an interdisciplinary team through the product development process from concept to production.

  • Troubleshoot technical issues at company headquarters and customer locations in coordination with support teams.

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 $180,000 - $220,000.

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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