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Lens Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Lens design capability using CODE V, OSLO PRO, ZEMAX, and/or FRED or equivalent lens design program is desirable. * Computer programming in C or C++ is also desirable. * Concise report writing is ...

Optical System Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$129K - $194K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

The team is looking for a Camera Optical Engineer to develop and support custom lens design and development.","responsibilities":"Work on new lens designs, characterization and integration into CMOS ...

Optical Design Engineer

Fairport, NY · On-site

$112K - $155K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop lens design forms for complex optical systems that meet these system specifications. * Develop manufacturing tolerances and build strategies for these lens systems using custom sensitivity ...

Optical Design Engineer

Fairport, NY · On-site

$112K - $155K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop lens design forms for complex optical systems that meet these system specifications. * Develop manufacturing tolerances and build strategies for these lens systems using custom sensitivity ...

Optician

Richmond, VA · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

Senior Camera Image Quality Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$104K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Review lens design for a compact, high-quality, wide field-of-view lens and drive development at vendor * Develop an end-to-end model of the Rylo imaging system from scene capture through to viewing ...

Senior Camera Image Quality Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$104K - $141K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

Review lens design for a compact, high-quality, wide field-of-view lens and drive development at vendor * Develop an end-to-end model of the Rylo imaging system from scene capture through to viewing ...

Optician

Mechanicsville, VA · On-site

$17.25 - $22/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

Optician

Mechanicsville, VA · On-site

$16.50 - $21.25/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

Optician

Mechanicsville, VA

$17.25 - $22/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

Optical Design Engineer

Fairport, NY

$112K - $155K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Develop lens design forms for complex optical systems that meet these system specifications. * Develop manufacturing tolerances and build strategies for these lens systems using custom sensitivity ...

Optician

Prince George, VA · On-site

$19 - $26/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

$16.50 - $21.25/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

Optician

East Fairfield, VT · On-site

$19 - $26/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

Optician

Prince George, VA · On-site

$19 - $26/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

$16.50 - $21.25/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

Optician

Richmond, VA · On-site

$17 - $22/hr

Knowledge of appropriate frame selection based on prescription, facial shape and size, lens design and appropriate fit * Collect payment from patient and process billing to insurance if applicable

Showing results 21-40

Lens Design information

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$14

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How much do lens design jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for lens design in the United States is $14.74, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.58 and $17.31 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is lens design?

Lens design is the process of creating optical lenses and systems for various applications, such as cameras, microscopes, telescopes, and eyeglasses. Lens designers use principles of physics and advanced computer software to determine the best shapes, materials, and configurations to achieve specific optical performances. Their work involves optimizing lens systems to minimize aberrations, improve image quality, and meet specific technical requirements. Lens designers often collaborate with engineers and manufacturers to ensure their designs can be fabricated accurately and efficiently.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lens designer?

To thrive as a Lens Designer, you need a strong background in optical engineering, physics, and mathematics, often supported by a degree in optics or a related field. Familiarity with industry-standard optical design software such as Zemax, Code V, or LightTools, as well as experience with CAD systems, is crucial. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication skills set exceptional lens designers apart. These skills and qualities are essential for creating innovative, high-performance optical systems that meet precise technical and client requirements.

What are some typical challenges lens designers face when collaborating with multidisciplinary teams?

Lens designers often work closely with engineers, product managers, and manufacturing specialists to ensure that optical components meet both performance and production requirements. A common challenge is balancing ideal optical performance with real-world constraints such as cost, manufacturability, and physical space within a device. Effective communication and a strong understanding of each team member's priorities are essential for resolving trade-offs and delivering a successful product. Being proactive in sharing design iterations and soliciting feedback early in the process helps streamline collaboration.

What is the difference between Lens Design vs Optical Engineering?

AspectLens DesignOptical Engineering
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, CAD software, prototype testingResearch labs, product development, systems integration
Industry UsageCamera lenses, microscopes, telescopesImaging systems, laser systems, optical instruments
Comparison FocusCreating and optimizing lens geometries and specificationsDeveloping and analyzing complex optical systems and components

While both Lens Design and Optical Engineering involve working with optical systems, Lens Design primarily focuses on creating specific lens geometries and specifications. Optical Engineering encompasses a broader scope, including designing entire optical systems and analyzing their performance. Professionals in both roles often collaborate but specialize in different aspects of optical technology.

More about Lens Design jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Lens Design jobs?

The most popular types of Lens Design jobs are:

What states have the most Lens Design jobs?

States with the most job openings for Lens Design jobs include:

Infographic showing various Lens Design job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $30,666 per year, or $14.7 per hour.

Optical Design Staff Engineer

II-VI Aerospace & Defense

Saxonburg, PA • On-site

Full-time

Posted 22 days ago


Job description


Functions:
  • Support activities of the optical design. Responsible for ensuring we have the right software tools to support our customers design needs and that optical design group is proficient in using these tools. Standardize ISO work procedures within optical design group.
  • Take responsibility for risk assessment of projects being undertaken. Ensure that quality of all groups output meets requirements and expectations of Coherent customers.
  • Utilize optical design programs to provide component and subassembly optical designs. Ensure design specification can be met based on tolerances achievable using standard manufacturing procedures.
  • Provide technical support to customers identifying and/or designing the best products to support their application.
  • Develop fundamental understanding of Coherent products to enable role as technology expert. Interface directly with customer engineering groups.
  • Provide optical testing support for nonstandard products.
  • Act as project manager for custom projects managing entire project responsibility for cost, quality and delivery.
  • Lead the development of new optical and electro-optical products. Build and qualify prototypes to meet customer and market requirements.
  • Utilize Coherent Gate Review Process to ensure buy-in on technical and market strategy.
  • Utilize DFMEA design reviews to ensure robustness of designs.

Job Requirements:
  • 4 year Science or Engineering Degree, BS minimum requirement. Post Graduate Engineering or Science Degree - MSc or PhD
  • College science lab and engineering project experience, 5 years product design and applications experience.
  • High organization skills, motivation, good inter-personal skills for interfacing with customers and other departments
  • Strong physics understanding, therefore, able to do theoretical analysis, both optical and electrical.
  • Lens design capability using CODE V, OSLO PRO, ZEMAX, and/or FRED or equivalent lens design program is desirable.
  • Computer programming in C or C++ is also desirable.
  • Concise report writing is also required to aid in communicating complex optical issues.

Responsibilities:
  • Responsible for all operations of optical design group which includes work distribution, organization, documentation, software selection, training, risk assessment design quality for the entire group.
  • Often involved with proprietary information belonging to COHERENT and its customers. Involved with assessing technical feasibility towards setting strategic direction of IR Engineering and NPI activities.
  • Contact with outside customers, by traveling overseas and domestically and by phone and written communications, regarding optical design and electro-optic design and support during the quotation, ordering, and post order support stages.
  • Extensive interfacing with the sales department during the quotation of special optics and electro-optics.
  • Strong interfacing with manufacturing and QA departments to solve design and manufacturing issues.
  • Support documentation and filing of COHERENT Patents and Trade Secrets.
  • Training and mentoring other COHERENT employees.
  • Transfer of new products manufacturing and testing from prototype to production.
  • Engineer must possess ability for self monitoring and error checking so that errors are kept to a minimum.

Job Conditions:
  • Office, general laboratory, high power laser operation, high electrical voltage operation.
  • All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
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About Us
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.