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Opt Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Material Industrial Engineer

Spring Hill, TN · On-site

$66K - $87K/yr

The main purpose of the Industrial Engineer is to work to eliminate waste of time, money, materials ... H1-B, OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc). This role is categorized as onsite. This means the ...

Material Industrial Engineer

Spring Hill, TN · On-site

$66K - $87K/yr

The main purpose of the Industrial Engineer is to work to eliminate waste of time, money, materials ... OPT, STEM OPT, CPT, TN, J-1, etc).This role is categorized as onsite. This means the selected ...

Professional Engineer

Antioch, TN · On-site

$79K - $105K/yr

Our Professional Engineers play a vital role inleading project design efforts, mentoring team ... Employees may opt to purchase additional life insurance, short-term disability, critical illness ...

Professional Engineer

Antioch, TN · On-site

$79K - $105K/yr

Our Professional Engineers play a vital role inleading project design efforts, mentoring team ... Employees may opt to purchase additional life insurance, short-term disability, critical illness ...

Senior AI Engineer

Kingsport, TN · On-site

$99K - $136K/yr

As an AI Engineer you will lead the design, development and adoption of new technology and ... OPT who subsequently would require ongoing visa sponsorship. Eastman Chemical Company is an equal ...

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Opt Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$33.6K

$79.2K

$123.9K

How much do opt engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for opt engineer in Tennessee is $79,162.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $69,400.00 and $88,500.00 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 in the Opt Engineer position, 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 Tennessee? The most popular types of Opt Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:
Infographic showing various Opt Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $79,162 per year, or $38.1 per hour.

Early Career Control & Simulation Engineer

BNH

Arnold Air Force Base, TN • On-site

$91K - $121K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Early Career Control & Simulation Engineer

Location: Arnold AFB, TN

Job Family Code:

Function/Branch: Engineering/Engineering Solutions

Directorate: Engineering & Tech Support

Position Type: Regular, Full Time        

Pay Type: Exempt        

Grade: L07 (OA0753)

Salary Range: $91,000 - $121,000 / year

 

Overview

Beyond New Horizons, LLC (BNH) has an exciting opportunity for an early career Control & Simulation Engineer, supporting TOS II, at AEDC in Arnold AFB, TN. The individual will be working as a member of the Engineering Solutions branch responsible for supporting the United States Air Force Test Operations and Sustainment efforts. The Engineering Solutions branch performs cutting-edge technology development work in support of the National Defense Strategy.

Open to internal and external candidates.

Job Summary

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing high-fidelity training simulators that emulate real-world facilities and their control systems. This role involves emulating existing PLC-based control system ladder logic and physics-based Simulink models and integrating them with HMI screens to create immersive and realistic training environments. This is an exciting opportunity for an engineer with a passion for both controls and simulation to make a significant impact.

Job Duties:

  • Develop, implement, and calibrate control models using MATLAB/Simulink to emulate and simulate industrial control logic.
  • Develop and implement physics-based models to support development of ground test facility simulators.
  • Convert and translate existing ladder logic and PLC code into functional Simulink models.
  • Integrate control logic models with new or existing physics-based models of facility processes to create comprehensive system simulators.
  • Develop and configure interfaces between Simulink models and Human-Machine Interface (HMI) screens for realistic operator experience.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams to gather requirements, define project scope, and ensure model accuracy.
  • Create and maintain detailed technical documentation, including model design specifications, test plans, and validation results.
  • Support the testing and validation of simulators to ensure they meet performance and training objectives.
  • Troubleshoot and resolve issues with simulation models and the integrated environment.
  • Perform other related duties as required.

Basic Qualifications:

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or a related field from an accredited institution.
  • A minimum of 2 years of professional experience in control systems engineering, simulation, or a related discipline.
  • Must be able to obtain & maintain security clearance & access to DoD network & computer systems
  • Due to Air Force Security requirements, U.S. Citizenship is required for employment at AEDC.

 

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience with physics-based modeling and simulation, particularly using Matlab/Simulink or similar tools.
  • Hands-on experience with industrial control systems, such as PLCs (e.g., GE, Emerson, Allen Bradley, Siemens) and/or Distributed Control Systems (DCS), and ladder logic
  • Familiarity with GE Proficy Machine Edition
  • Familiarity with HMI/SCADA software such as Proficy HMI and its integration with control systems.
  • Knowledge of industrial communication protocols (e.g., Modbus, OPC, Ethernet/IP).
  • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a first-principles approach.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Active Secret Security Clearance.

What We Offer

  • Competitive salaries
  • Continuing education assistance
  • Multiple healthcare benefits packages
  • 401K with employer matching
  • Paid time off (PTO) along with a federally recognized holiday schedule

 

Who We Are

Beyond New Horizons (BNH) is a fully populated joint venture of Astrion and Fluor Federal Services, Inc. formed to provide unmatched Test Operations and Sustainment services for the Arnold Engineering Development Complex. We chose our name to serve as an enduring reminder of our commitment to AEDC’s rich aerospace research and development legacy anchored in AEDC’s Toward New Horizons founding study and the unprecedented opportunities to greatly expand AEDC’s capabilities and capacity Beyond those existing today. Leveraging the capabilities of our parent companies, BNH specializes in testing and evaluation for military and space systems combined with proven capability in large-scale Government program management, integration, engineering, and construction services for specialized and technically advanced high-hazard facilities.

Join our Team!

U.S. Citizenship is required. At this time BNH will not sponsor any applicants for employment authorization or offer any immigration related support for this position (i.e. H1b, F1 OPT, F-1 STEM OPT, F-1 CPT, J-1, E-2, E-3, L-1, or other forms of work authorization that require immigration support from an employer).

The minimum and maximum full-time annual salaries for this role are listed below, by location. Please note that this salary information is solely for candidates hired to perform work within one of these locations and refers to the amount BNH is willing to pay at the time of this posting. Salaries for part-time jobs will be adjusted based upon the number of hours agreed to work.

$91,000 - $121,000 / year at location Arnold AFB, TN 37389

BNH is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, veteran status, and any other grounds for discrimination prohibited by applicable law.

This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training