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Junior Optical Engineer Jobs in Ohio (NOW HIRING)

Trimble

Sr. Electronic Engineer

Dayton, OH

$104K - $128K/yr

By combining Trimble's precision positioning technologies (like GNSS/GPS, lasers, optics, and ... Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians. * Regulatory ...

Trimble, Inc.

Sr. Electronic Engineer

Dayton, OH · On-site

$104K - $128K/yr

By combining Trimble's precision positioning technologies (like GNSS/GPS, lasers, optics, and ... Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technicians. * Regulatory ...

Arcadis

Project I&C Engineer

Columbus, OH

$80K - $103K/yr

Mentor junior engineers and designers. Required Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in Mechanical ... Knowledge of designing and developing fiber optic cable networks for SCADA systems. Advance ...

GRVTY

Senior Scientist

Dayton, OH · Remote

$88K - $121K/yr

This is a technically demanding role centered on OPIR phenomenology, optical signature ... You will work alongside algorithm engineers, data scientists, and intelligence analysts to develop ...

GRVTY

Senior Scientist with Security Clearance

Dayton, OH · On-site

$88K - $121K/yr

This is a technically demanding role centered on OPIR phenomenology, optical signature ... You will work alongside algorithm engineers, data scientists, and intelligence analysts to develop ...

GRVTY

Senior Scientist with Security Clearance

Dayton, OH · On-site

$88K - $121K/yr

This is a technically demanding role centered on OPIR phenomenology, optical signature ... You will work alongside algorithm engineers, data scientists, and intelligence analysts to develop ...

Arcadis

Project I&C Engineer

Columbus, OH · On-site

$80K - $104K/yr

Mentor junior engineers and designers. Required Qualifications: * Bachelor's degree in Mechanical ... Knowledge of designing and developing fiber optic cable networks for SCADA systems. Advance ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsJunior Optical Engineer JobsJunior Optical Engineer Jobs in Ohio

Junior Optical Engineer information

See Ohio salary details

$31.8K

$68.3K

$104.1K

How much do junior optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for junior optical engineer in Ohio is $68,259.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $46,100.00 and $76,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a junior optical engineer?

A Junior Optical Engineer is an entry-level engineering professional specializing in optical systems, components, and technologies. They assist in designing, testing, and optimizing optical devices such as lenses, lasers, and imaging systems. Their responsibilities may include conducting experiments, analyzing data, and supporting senior engineers in research and development. Strong analytical skills, knowledge of optics principles, and proficiency with simulation tools are often required. This role provides foundational experience for growing into more advanced optical engineering positions.

What does a junior optical engineer do?

As a Junior Optical Engineer, you may assist in designing, testing, and evaluating optical systems such as lenses, imaging devices, or sensors under the supervision of senior engineers. Your responsibilities often include running simulations, performing hands-on experiments in the lab, analyzing data, and contributing to technical reports. You’ll also collaborate closely with colleagues in mechanical and electrical engineering to integrate optical components into larger systems. This role often provides opportunities to learn from mentors and gain hands-on experience with real-world applications, which is valuable for long-term career growth in the optical engineering field.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a junior optical engineer?

To thrive as a Junior Optical Engineer, you need a solid background in optics, physics, and mathematics, often supported by a bachelor's degree in optical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or CODE V), basic laboratory equipment, and CAD tools is commonly expected. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you work efficiently within engineering teams and present findings clearly. These skills ensure precise design, troubleshooting, and collaborative project development in this technically demanding role.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Ohio?

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Ohio are:

What are popular job titles related to Junior Optical Engineer jobs in Ohio?

For Junior Optical Engineer jobs in Ohio, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Junior Optical Engineer jobs in Ohio look for?

The top searched job categories for Junior Optical Engineer jobs in Ohio are:

Junior Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Junior Optical Engineer job openings in Ohio as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 95% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 6% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $68,259 per year, or $32.8 per hour.

Development Engineer IV - Perovskite Physics USA

First Solar

Perrysburg, OH • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

First Solar rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 76 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

475th of 544 rated manufacturers

Job description


First Solar reserves the right to offer you a role most applicable to your experience and skillset.
Basic Job Functions:
  • Serve as a senior technical contributor within First Solar's Perovskite Physics group.
  • Support development and scale-up of First Solar's next-generation perovskite technology through physics-based mechanism understanding, advanced metrology development, and root-cause analysis.
  • Operate at the intersection of materials science, device physics, and pilot manufacturing engineering, acting as a technical leader in defining measurement strategies, correlating metrology data to performance and reliability, and resolving complex process-structure-property relationships.
  • Responsible for developing and deploying manufacturing-relevant characterization and diagnostics for perovskite pilot line, enabling improved process control, faster learning cycles, and robust yield and performance outcomes.
  • The position requires strong independent problem-solving capability, deep technical expertise, and close collaboration with cross-functional process, equipment, and integration teams.

Education/Experience:
  • Bachelor's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 20 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.
  • Master's Degree in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 15 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.
  • Ph.D. in an engineering discipline or similar technical discipline and 10 years of relevant technical experience or 2 years of experience as a Development Engineer III at First Solar.

Required Skills/Competencies:
  • Advanced understanding of optoelectronic device physics and correlation of physical measurements to IV, QE, reliability, and low-level device metrics.
  • Strong understanding of perovskite materials physics, including crystallization behavior, defect states, interfaces, and degradation mechanisms.
  • Demonstrated expertise in advanced materials and device characterization and data-driven root-cause analysis.
  • Advanced skills in data analysis, experimental design, and statistical interpretation.
  • Physics-driven problem solver with strong mechanistic intuition.
  • Comfortable with ambiguity and early-stage technologies with an ability to reduce ambiguity through structured, physics-based problem solving.
  • Strong experimental rigor and data discipline.
  • High ownership mindset; capable of independently driving complex technical programs with company-level impact.
  • Independently defines technical approaches within program objectives.
  • Strong cross-functional communicator.
  • Commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Preferred Skills/Competencies:
  • Hands-on experience with inline or high-throughput metrology in a manufacturing or pilot-line setting.
  • Experience supporting technology transfer from R&D to manufacturing.
  • Record of publications, patents, or externally recognized technical contributions in perovskite photovoltaics.

Essential Responsibilities:
  • Develop and validate mechanistic understanding linking perovskite deposition, crystallization, interfaces, and post-processing to device-level electrical and environmental performance.
  • Perform deep root cause investigations of yield loss, efficiency variability, and reliability excursions using metrology data, physics-based models, and cross-functional inputs.
  • Lead failure analysis and excursion response efforts, including hypothesis generation, experimental design, data interpretation, and corrective action definition.
  • Design, develop, and deploy advanced inline, at-line, and offline metrology methods to monitor perovskite film formation, interfaces, microstructure, defects, and uniformity and their correlations with device performance and stability.
  • Lead qualification of novel optical, spectroscopic, electrical, and structural characterization techniques suitable for pilot-line operation (e.g., hyperspectral imaging, PL/EL spectral analysis and mapping, Raman, including in-situ diagnostics).
  • Define metrology requirements and specifications to enable process window characterization, early defect detection, and statistical process control.
  • Partner with process development, equipment, and integration teams to translate lab- and pilot-scale characterization techniques into manufacturing-relevant, scalable measurement solutions.
  • Support DOE development, parametric studies, and technology readiness assessments tied to pilot production goals.
  • Serve as a subject-matter expert in perovskite photovoltaic device physics, metrology, and physics-based diagnostics for internal stakeholders.
  • Mentor junior engineers and scientists in experimental rigor, data analysis, and problem-solving methodologies.
  • Author and review technical reports, internal white papers, and invention disclosures; contribute to IP generation where applicable.
  • Collaborate with external partners, national labs, and equipment vendors.
  • Comply with Company's Environmental, Quality, Safety or any other policies that have been enforced. Contributes to continuous improvement of said policies.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Job description subject to change at any time.

Reporting Relationships:
  • Reports to Development Manager.
  • May have direct reports.

Travel:
  • Less than 10% travel.

Estimated Salary Range:
  • $99,600-$142,000 Annually.

US Physical Requirements:
  • Will sit, stand or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift.
  • Will climb stairs on an occasional basis.
  • Will lift, push or pull up to 37 pounds on an occasional basis.
  • Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis.
  • 20/40 vision in both eyes together, with or without correction, is required.
  • Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures.
  • May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis.
  • May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis.
  • Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel-toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards, and a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair) for those requiring respirator use.

Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check and any other tests that may be required.
Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company.

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