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Optical Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

G5 Infrared, LLC

Optical Design Engineer

Hudson, NH

We are seeking a skilled Optical Design Engineer to join our team. This position requires expertise in the design, analysis, simulation, optimization, validation, and transition to production of ...

Broadcom

Optical Design Engineer

Charlotte, NC · Hybrid

$88.30K - $141.30K/yr

Optical Design Engineer This individual will be responsible for the design and development of new optical systems/products destined for high-volume and low-cost manufacturing. You will also lead ...

Lumilens

Optical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

About the Role As an Optical Design Engineer, you will play a critical role in designing and verifying the coupling optics that are key to delivering optical signals of up to 1.6 Tb/s into our ...

Broadcom, Inc.

Optical Design Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$88.30K - $141.30K/yr

Optical Design Engineer This individual will be responsible for the design and development of new optical systems/products destined for high-volume and low-cost manufacturing. You will also lead ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer - Biophotonics

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$181.10K - $318.40K/yr

Description In this Optical Design Engineer role, you will leverage your experience in designing and tolerancing optical systems to lead efforts to design and manufacture ultra-compact, high ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on advanced optical technology development. - Work on new lens design, characterization and integration into CMOS imager sensor based camera ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Experience with lens design, optical metrology, tolerance analysis, or similar experience. 3+ years relevant industry experienceExperience in Stray light analysisExperience in lens characterization ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$147.40K - $272.10K/yr

Optical Design Engineer Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$126.80K - $190.90K/yr

The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on advanced optical technology development. Description - Work on new lens design, characterization and integration into CMOS imager sensor based ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$147.40K - $272.10K/yr

The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on advanced optical technology development.","responsibilities":"Work on new lens design, characterization and integration into CMOS imager sensor ...

Gooch & Housego PLC

Optical Design Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

... Design Engineers interacting closely with Production, Sales and Process Engineering to help create, test and refine Acousto- and Electro-Optic Products through release-to-Manufacturing. Because of ...

Gooch & Housego PLC

Optical Design Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

... Design Engineers interacting closely with Production, Sales and Process Engineering to help create, test and refine Acousto- and Electro-Optic Products through release-to-Manufacturing. Because of ...

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Optical Design information

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$81K

$144.5K

How much do optical design jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical design in the United States is $142,701.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,000.00 and $143,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as an Optical Designer, you need a strong background in physics, optics, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering or science degree. Familiarity with optical design software such as Zemax or Code V, and knowledge of CAD systems are commonly required, with certifications in these tools considered advantageous. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and refining complex designs. These skills ensure the creation of precise, innovative optical systems that meet stringent performance and quality standards.

What are some common challenges faced by optical design engineers in project development?

Optical design engineers often face challenges such as balancing performance requirements with cost and manufacturability, ensuring tolerance to environmental factors, and integrating optics with mechanical and electronic systems. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams is essential, as changes in one component can impact the entire system's performance. Staying updated with the latest simulation and modeling tools also helps address these challenges efficiently.

What is optical design?

Optical design is the process of creating systems and components that manipulate light, such as lenses, mirrors, and optical instruments. Professionals in this field use principles of physics and engineering to design devices like cameras, microscopes, telescopes, and fiber optic systems. They often use specialized software to model how light will travel through different materials and configurations, optimizing for factors like image quality and efficiency. Optical designers work in industries ranging from consumer electronics to healthcare and aerospace.

What is the difference between Optical Design vs Optical Engineering?

AspectOptical DesignOptical Engineering
CredentialsDegree in optics, physics, or engineeringDegree in optics, physics, or engineering
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, CAD software, simulation toolsManufacturing, testing labs, integration environments
Industry UsageDeveloping lens systems, optical componentsImplementing, testing, and maintaining optical systems
Search/Comparison IntentFocus on designing optical systemsFocus on applying and optimizing optical systems

Optical Design involves creating and simulating optical systems and components, primarily focusing on the conceptual and detailed design phase. Optical Engineering extends this work into implementing, testing, and maintaining these systems in real-world applications. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in their focus within the optical development process.

More about Optical Design jobs
What cities are hiring for Optical Design jobs? Cities with the most Optical Design job openings:
What states have the most Optical Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical Design jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Optical Design jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Design jobs are:
Optical Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Design job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $142,701 per year, or $68.6 per hour.
Optical Design Engineer

Optical Design Engineer

G5 Infrared, LLC

Hudson, NH

Other

Posted 13 days ago

Job description

G5 Infrared, LLC is a small business based in Hudson, New Hampshire, specializing in high-performance infrared imaging cameras and thin film coatings. We are seeking a skilled Optical Design Engineer to join our team.

This position requires expertise in the design, analysis, simulation, optimization, validation, and transition to production of precision optical systems for imaging and sensing applications. Candidates should possess background / education in the physics of optics as well as direct industry experience in the overall optical design process from concept through production.


Responsibilities Include

  • Concept development, trade-off analysis, and lens design for imaging systems
  • Develop optical solutions including tolerancing, design for manufacturing analyses, and optimization to meet optical performance requirements in production
  • Interface and collaborate with other engineering disciplines to ensure overall product success
  • Create optical specifications, requirements definitions, and documentation for suppliers and internal teams
  • Work with suppliers and internal departments regarding fabrication and assembly
  • Support prototyping, test and evaluation, process development, and design validation
  • Provide and support continuous improvement of design and analysis methodologies and tools
  • Contribute to cost estimating and proposal writing


Requirements

  • BS or greater in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
  • 7+ years of lens design and optical system development
  • Extensive knowledge of:
  • Optical design for imaging systems
  • Geometrical and physical optics
  • System performance modeling
  • Design for manufacturing
  • Commercial optical design software
  • Experience with optical product manufacturing and optical component sourcing


Desired Skills

  • Experience with infrared systems (thermal imagers highly desired)
  • Experience designing zoom lenses
  • Expertise in Zemax / OpticStudio design software
  • Proficient with Matlab software
  • Experience supporting production optics, yield improvement, and precision alignment methods
  • Team technical leadership
  • Experience with optical testing methods (interferometry, MTF testing)
  • Exposure to defense and/or aerospace industries
  • Proficiency with non-sequential raytrace analysis


G5 Infrared, LLC complies with all laws prohibiting discrimination against employees and applicants based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, genetic information, or veterans’ status.

G5 Infrared logo

About G5 Infrared

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Hudson, NH, US

Year founded

2011

Social media

Twitter

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