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Opt Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Founding Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $190K/yr

About the Role A seed-stage AI-powered healthtech startup is hiring a Founding Engineer to join a ... Visa Sponsorship OPT and STEM OPT candidates are welcome to apply. The team is happy to work with ...

Founding Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K - $190K/yr

About the Role A seed-stage AI-powered healthtech startup is hiring a Founding Engineer to join a ... Visa Sponsorship OPT and STEM OPT candidates are welcome to apply. The team is happy to work with ...

We now power search for Cursor, Cognition, HubSpot, and over 400,000 developers and have raised ... We're happy to sponsor international candidates (e.g., STEM OPT, OPT, H1B, O1, E3). Exa is an equal ...

New

Design Engineer

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$150K - $280K/yr

About the role We're looking for a Design Engineer with exceptional visual taste and strong ... Visas: We're happy to sponsor international candidates (e.g., STEM OPT, OPT, H1B, O1, E3). While we ...

Solutions Engineer, Remote

Arcata, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

We are unable to sponsor H-1B, F-1 OPT, and STEM OPT extension at this time. Your Role We are seeking a motivated and technically proficient Solutions Engineer to serve as a trusted advisor to ...

Solutions Engineer, Remote

Fresno, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

We are unable to sponsor H-1B, F-1 OPT, and STEM OPT extension at this time. Your Role We are seeking a motivated and technically proficient Solutions Engineer to serve as a trusted advisor to ...

Solutions Engineer, Remote

Pomona, CA · On-site

$120K - $140K/yr

We are unable to sponsor H-1B, F-1 OPT, and STEM OPT extension at this time. Your Role We are seeking a motivated and technically proficient Solutions Engineer to serve as a trusted advisor to ...

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Opt Engineer information

See California salary details

$36.5K

$86.1K

$134.7K

How much do opt engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for opt engineer in California is $86,077.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,500.00 and $96,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and teams do opt engineers typically work on?

Opt Engineers often collaborate on multidisciplinary teams to design, prototype, and test optical components or systems such as lenses, lasers, or imaging devices. Your daily responsibilities may involve hands-on laboratory work, simulations using specialized software, and presenting technical findings to colleagues and stakeholders. You’ll likely work with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, and may interact with manufacturing or quality assurance teams throughout a project's lifecycle. This environment encourages ongoing learning and cross-functional problem-solving, offering opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge advancements in fields like telecommunications, healthcare, and aerospace. As you gain experience, you can move into lead engineering roles, project management, or specialized technical positions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an opt engineer, and why are they important?

To excel as an Opt Engineer, you need strong analytical skills, a thorough understanding of optics and photonics, and a relevant degree in physics, optical engineering, or a related field. Proficiency with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), laboratory equipment, and familiarity with industry standards or certifications like SPIE or OSA membership can be advantageous. Excellent problem-solving abilities, teamwork, and strong communication skills set candidates apart in this collaborative and detail-oriented field. These skills are crucial for developing precise optical systems, troubleshooting complex issues, and ensuring successful project outcomes in diverse technical environments.

What does an opt engineer do?

An Opt Engineer, or Optical Engineer, designs, develops, and optimizes optical systems and components used in various applications, such as telecommunications, medical devices, and imaging systems. They apply principles of optics, physics, and engineering to create high-performance optical solutions. Their responsibilities may include lens design, laser system development, fiber optics, and optical testing. Additionally, they collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to ensure integration with electronic and mechanical components.

What are the most commonly searched types of Opt Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Opt Engineer jobs in California are:

Infographic showing various Opt Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,077 per year, or $41.4 per hour.

Engineering Roles (Automotive Plastic/Thin-Gauge Thermoform/Packaging Engineer)

dBestWorkz LLC

Fremont, CA • On-site

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Job description

1. Automotive Plastic Product Design Engineer
Location: Remote / onsite location to be confirmed
Visa: H1B, OPT, USC

Tesla is seeking a Mechanical Design Engineer with 5+ years of experience designing plastic mechanical components, packaging, material-handling systems, fixtures, or automation equipment. The ideal candidate will have strong plastics design and manufacturing knowledge, CAD/CAE experience (CATIA, Creo/Pro-E, ANSYS, etc.), GD&T, tolerance stack-up, DFM, FEA, and prototype/testing expertise. Experience with injection molding, machining, welding, automotive/high-volume manufacturing, ASTM/ISTA standards, and materials such as aluminum, steel, composites, and foam is preferred.

2. Thin-Gauge Thermoform Design Engineer
Location: Remote / onsite location to be confirmed
Visa: H1B, OPT, USC

Tesla is looking for a Thin-Gauge Thermoform Design Engineer with 3+ years of experience designing thermoformed plastic products and tooling, such as trays, inserts, enclosures, or packaging components. Candidates must have advanced 3D CAD skills (SolidWorks, CATIA, or similar), experience with vacuum/pressure forming, thin plastic-sheet materials including ABS, HIPS, PETG, and PVC, and strong DFM, tolerance analysis, tooling, and validation knowledge. Automotive, packaging, high-volume manufacturing, FEA/CAE, injection molding, and automated/lean manufacturing experience are preferred.

3. Packaging Engineer
Location: Fremont, CA or Sparks, NV — 100% onsite
Visa: H1B, OPT, USC