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Optical Application Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Field Sales Application Engineer

Middlefield, CT · On-site

$100K - $124K/yr

As a Field Sales Application Engineer based in Middlefield (CT), you will leverage your technical ... S. Engineering, Optics or Optical Engineering * 3-5 years of experience in optical metrology ...

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Optical Application Engineer information

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$50.5K

$110.7K

$152K

How much do optical application engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical application engineer in the United States is $110,698.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,000.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an optical application engineer?

An Optical Application Engineer is a professional who specializes in designing, developing, and supporting optical systems and components, such as lenses, lasers, and fiber optics, for various applications. They work closely with clients to understand technical requirements and provide solutions that meet specific optical performance needs. Their responsibilities often include testing prototypes, troubleshooting issues, and collaborating with engineering and sales teams to ensure successful product integration. Optical Application Engineers play a crucial role in industries such as telecommunications, medical devices, imaging, and manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical application engineer?

To thrive as an Optical Application Engineer, you need a strong background in optics, photonics, and physics, typically supported by a degree in optical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), laser systems, and relevant industry standards is essential. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help you translate customer requirements into practical solutions and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These abilities are crucial for delivering innovative optical solutions that meet technical specifications and client needs.

How does an optical application engineer typically collaborate with product development teams to deliver client solutions?

Optical Application Engineers often work closely with product development teams by translating client requirements into technical specifications, participating in design reviews, and troubleshooting integration challenges. They serve as a vital bridge between customers and internal engineering, ensuring that optical systems meet performance criteria and application needs. Frequent collaboration includes providing feedback on prototypes, suggesting design modifications, and supporting testing and validation processes. This teamwork helps ensure that final products align with both technical standards and client expectations.
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What cities are hiring for Optical Application Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Optical Application Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Optical Application Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Optical Application Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Optical Application Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 18% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $110,698 per year, or $53.2 per hour.

Application Engineer V - (E5)

Applied Materials

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$163K - $224K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Applied Materials rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 58 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

15th of 540 rated manufacturers


Job description

Who We Are
Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips - the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world - like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.
What We Offer
Salary:
$163,000.00 - $224,000.00
Location:
Santa Clara,CA
You'll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible-while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.
At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We're committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits.
Job Description
The candidate will be a general expert in the area of on-wafer metrology with specific expertise in one or more areas, including optical thin film metrology and X-ray based metrology. Preferably, the candidate will have expertise in optical thin film metrology techniques such as Ellipsometry, Scatterometry, and Reflectometry. He/she will have several years of experience working on metrology applications using optical film metrology techniques in semiconductor industry. The candidate will work primarily with process teams across Applied and develop metrology applications to support product and process development. He/she will also implement metrology best practices and provide data analysis for projects. The successful candidate will also be willing to learn application of new metrology techniques. The role will involve supporting Applied teams worldwide; travel will be limited and expected to be less than 10%.
Qualifications: MS equivalent or higher in engineering or science with at least 5 years of relevant work experience.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop applications based on Optical film metrology techniques to qualify semiconductor process tools
  • Actively engage with key vendors to understand the latest metrology techniques and influence roadmap for future solutions
  • Technically leads difficult and complex metrology application activities.
  • Lead internal and customer technical review meetings to address metrology solutions
  • Defines customer technical requirements, through deep analysis and clear understanding of the product roadmap
  • Define new methodologies to optimized system performance for specific application
  • This technical staff position leads and/or develops and executes exceptionally complex technology and engineering projects and leads research and development of new technologies as appropriate.
  • Works on critical complex issues that impact longer term product development and business success measured by one or more of the following: incremental revenue growth, market share increases, key customer penetrations, time to market improvement and commercial value of the work.
  • Within safety guidelines design, perform, collect data, analyze and compile reports on unusually complex engineering experiments and provides solutions which are highly innovative and ingenious.
  • Develop innovative solutions as part of proven track record of significant technology contributions. Recognized internally (across Business Units) as one of the limited number of technical experts in their field of expertise
  • Conceive and implement new technology, normally named as primary inventor on numerous critical patents and recognized through awards and/or published papers within the last five years.
  • Leads and collaborates to contribute to the development of new principles and concepts.
  • Guides less experienced engineers in utilizing metrology techniques to define methods and new technologies and apply them on unusually complex systems.
  • Leads and collaborates to contribute to the development of new principles and concepts.

Functional Knowledge
  • Regarded as the technical expert in their particular field
  • Demonstrates in-depth and/or breadth of expertise in own discipline and broad knowledge of other disciplines within the function

Business Expertise
  • Anticipates business and regulatory issues; recommends product, process or service improvements

Leadership
  • Leads projects with notable risk and complexity; develops the strategy for project execution

Problem Solving
  • Solves unique and complex problems with broad impact on the business; requires conceptual and innovative thinking to develop solutions

Impact
  • Impacts the direction and resource allocation for program, project or services; works within general functional policies and industry guidelines

Interpersonal Skills
  • Communicates complex ideas, anticipates potential objections and persuades others, often at senior levels, to adopt a different point of view

Additional Information
Time Type:
Full time
Employee Type:
Assignee / Regular
Travel:
Yes, 10% of the Time
Relocation Eligible:
Yes
The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.
For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.
Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.
In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

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About Applied Materials

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We're the brain (and the brawn) behind every new technology development--whether it's building semiconductor chips for smartphones and computers, or the underpinnings for robotics, AI and even smart TV display screens. With 27,000 employees in 19 countries, we offer an exciting place to grow and learn alongside some of the best people you'll ever meet. We take deep pride in our Culture of Inclusion, and we celebrate the diverse backgrounds, perspectives and experiences that help us build stronger, more resilient teams. Join us as we innovate to Make Possible a Better Future!

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Santa Clara, CA, US

Year founded

1967