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Optical Assistant Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

Lead, Optical Engineering

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$116K - $150K/yr

Lead, Optical Engineering Job Code: 40948 Job Location: Fort Wayne, IN Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off) The Fort Wayne, IN engineering team is seeking an Optical Design Engineer to join ...

Staff Optical Engineer

Warsaw, IN · On-site

$109K - $141K/yr

Staff Optical Engineer * Location: Warsaw, Poland * Department: Engineering / Optical Systems * Reports to: Engineering Manager, Optical Systems * Employment type: Permanent * Workplace model: Hybrid

Lead, Optical Engineering

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$118K - $152K/yr

Lead, Optical Engineering Job Code: 40948 Job Location: Fort Wayne, IN Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off) The Fort Wayne, IN engineering team is seeking an Optical Design Engineer to join ...

Lead, Optical Engineering

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$127K - $164K/yr

Lead, Optical Engineering Job Code: 40948 Job Location: Fort Wayne, IN Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off) The Fort Wayne, IN engineering team isseeking an Optical Design Engineer to join our ...

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Optical Assistant information

See Indiana salary details

$8

$15

$19

How much do optical assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical assistant in Indiana is $15.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.62 and $17.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an optical assistant?

An optical assistant is a vision care customer’s first point of contact, as you work in the retail or sales departments or optometrist’s offices. In this career, you are responsible for greeting patients and helping them select the right eyewear as well as repairing and making adjustments to the eyewear. Assistants perform duties such as fitting eyeglasses or contacts under supervision, measuring an eye or bridge of the nose, scheduling appointments, gathering important patient information, and maintaining medical files. Customer service is an important part of the job.

What does an optical assistant do?

As an Optical Assistant, your daily responsibilities include greeting patients, assisting with frame selection, taking basic eye measurements, and handling administrative duties such as booking appointments and managing patient records. You’ll work closely with optometrists, opticians, and other support staff to ensure smooth patient flow and excellent customer service. Collaboration is key, as Optical Assistants often communicate patient needs to clinical staff and help coordinate care. This role offers valuable exposure to both clinical and retail aspects of optometry, making it a great starting point for career growth within the industry.

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

To thrive as an Optical Assistant, you need a solid understanding of basic optometry, customer service, and retail sales, often supported by on-the-job training or a relevant certification. Familiarity with dispensing optical instruments, using lens measuring devices, and practice management software is typically required. Outstanding communication, attention to detail, and the ability to work well with both customers and team members distinguish top performers in this role. These skills ensure accurate prescription fulfillment, excellent customer experiences, and smooth optical practice operations.

What is the difference between Optical Assistant vs Optical Technician?

AspectOptical AssistantOptical Technician
Required CredentialsHigh school diploma, optical assistant certificationCertification or diploma in optical technology or related field
Work EnvironmentOptical retail stores, clinicsLaboratories, manufacturing, or repair facilities
Employer & Industry UsageOptical retail chains, optometristsOptical labs, manufacturing companies
Common Search & Comparison IntentCustomer service, assisting with frame selectionLens fitting, equipment operation, technical repairs

Optical Assistants primarily focus on customer service, frame selection, and assisting optometrists, often working directly with patients. Optical Technicians handle more technical tasks like lens fitting, equipment operation, and repairs. Both roles are essential in the optical industry but differ in technical complexity and responsibilities.

Do you need a qualification to be an optical assistant?

Optical assistants typically do not require formal qualifications, but having relevant training or certifications in optical care or customer service can be beneficial. Employers may also provide on-the-job training to develop necessary skills for working with optical equipment and assisting customers.

How much does an optical assistant get paid?

An optical assistant typically earns between $25,000 and $40,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and employer. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced assistants or those with specialized skills can earn higher wages. The role often involves customer service, lens fitting, and using optical equipment.

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

The most popular types of Optical jobs in Indiana are:

What are popular job titles related to Optical Assistant jobs in Indiana?

For Optical Assistant jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical Assistant jobs in Indiana look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Assistant jobs in Indiana are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Optical Assistant jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Optical Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Optical Assistant job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 75% Full Time, 20% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $33,075 per year, or $15.9 per hour.

Lead, Optical Engineering

Fort Wayne, IN • On-site

$116K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago


Job description

Job Title: Lead, Optical Engineering

Job Code:  40948

Job Location:  Fort Wayne, IN

Job Schedule: 9/80 (Every other Friday off)

 

Job Description:

The Fort Wayne, IN engineering team is seeking an Optical Design Engineer to join our team onsite, providing critical support for our aerospace programs. This role involves development of optical systems; specifying, selecting and qualifying active and passive optical components, developing and benchmarking system performance models, developing and implementing test procedures and/or evaluating and selecting appropriate test instrumentation. Our projects span imaging systems across the UV to LWIR regions of the electromagnetic spectrum. The successful candidate will be deeply involved in the practical aspects of optical engineering, ensuring the integrity and performance of our sophisticated optical systems.

Essential Functions:

  • Perform optical design and analysis on advanced telescopes, calibrators, and unique optical test sets.
  • Develop optical budgets and sensitivities including wavefront error, MTF, line of sight, and throughput.
  • Perform analyses to show compliance with optical requirements and specifications for imaging systems, assemblies, component drawings, coatings, manufacturability, etc.
  • Provide optical modeling, analysis, image simulations, and metrology support during system alignment, integration and testing.
  • Support the development of optical technologies and architectural concepts to support the company's current and new business opportunities.
  • Collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams to achieve project objectives, demonstrating strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work well in a team setting.
  • Utilize strong organizational skills to manage tasks and documentation effectively.
  • Apply excellent written and verbal communication skills to document processes, convey technical information, and facilitate effective teamwork.
  • Engage in troubleshooting activities and verification of system requirements to ensure compliance and functionality.
  • Must be able to obtain a US DoD Secret security clearance

Qualifications:

  • Bachelor's Degree in engineering and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
  • Experience in using Zemax and/or Code V optical software for advanced design and analysis purposes.
  • Experience with FRED or similar stray light analysis software for evaluating and mitigating optical system interference.


Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Experience with MATLAB for data analysis and automation of testing procedures.
  • Familiarity with evaluating and selecting vendors to supply critical components for advanced systems.
  • Familiarity interfacing generative AI with traditional optical modeling tools
  • Active DoD Secret Security Clearance.

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