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Optical Design Engineer Jobs in Massachusetts (NOW HIRING)

Optical Engineer

Lowell, MA · On-site

$127K - $165K/yr

90-105K plus bonus Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, or related field. 2+ years of experience in optical design, analysis, and testing. Proficiency in optical design and ...

Optical Engineer

Lexington, MA · On-site

$144K - $187K/yr

Optical Engineer Duration: 3+ years Client: Defense Research Lab Location: Lexington, MA 02421 ... Uses design-to-cost models, six sigma methodology, and other methods to assure and verify optical ...

Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... in optics to join our Engineering Services group. You will join a diverse engineering team and ... You will build the products you design and see them manufactured for use in consumer, industrial ...

Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... in optics to join our Engineering Services group. You will join a diverse engineering team and ... You will build the products you design and see them manufactured for use in consumer, industrial ...

Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... in optics to join our Engineering Services group. You will join a diverse engineering team and ... You will build the products you design and see them manufactured for use in consumer, industrial ...

Staff Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

The Staff Optical Engineer serves as a senior technical expert responsible for leading the ... Establish optical design, best practices, quality standards, and review processes. * Oversee and ...

Staff Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

The Staff Optical Engineer serves as a senior technical expert responsible for leading the ... Establish optical design, best practices, quality standards, and review processes. * Oversee and ...

Staff Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

The Staff Optical Engineer is recognized as a key technical expert and collaborates cross ... Establish optical design, best practices, quality standards, and review processes. * Oversee and ...

Sr. Optical Engineer

Bedford, MA · On-site

$130K - $175K/yr

As a Sr. Optical Engineer within Novanta's encoder business, you'll lead the design and development of optical components and systems, focusing on creating innovative rotary and linear encoder ...

Sr. Optical Engineer

Bedford, MA · On-site

$130K - $175K/yr

As a Sr. Optical Engineer within Novanta's encoder business, you'll lead the design and development of optical components and systems, focusing on creating innovative rotary and linear encoder ...

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Optical Design Engineer information

See Massachusetts salary details

$86.8K

$152.8K

$204.8K

How much do optical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical design engineer in Massachusetts is $152,806.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $140,900.00 and $173,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an optical design engineer?

Optical Design Engineers are professionals who design and develop optical systems and components, such as lenses, lasers, and imaging devices. They use principles of physics and engineering to create products used in industries like telecommunications, medical devices, and consumer electronics. Their work often involves computer-aided design (CAD) software and optical simulation tools to ensure that optical systems meet specific performance requirements. Optical Design Engineers collaborate with other engineers and scientists throughout the development and testing process. They play a key role in advancing technologies that rely on light manipulation and imaging.

What are some common challenges optical design engineers face when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Optical Design Engineers often collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers to bring complex optical systems to life. A common challenge is ensuring that the optical specifications are maintained while accommodating constraints from other disciplines, such as size, thermal management, and manufacturability. Effective communication and a strong understanding of both optical principles and broader engineering requirements are crucial to balancing these sometimes competing demands. Regular team meetings and clear documentation help keep projects aligned and facilitate successful integration across all engineering domains.

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

To thrive as an Optical Design Engineer, you need strong knowledge of optics, physics, and mathematics, typically supported by a degree in optical engineering or a related field. Proficiency in optical design software such as Zemax, Code V, or LightTools is essential, along with familiarity with CAD tools and simulation systems. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help you excel in cross-functional teams and address complex design challenges. These skills ensure the creation of high-performance optical systems that meet technical requirements and client needs.

What is the difference between Optical Design Engineer vs Optical Test Engineer?

AspectOptical Design EngineerOptical Test Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, CAD software, collaboration with R&D teamsTesting labs, measurement equipment, quality assurance teams
Industry UsageOptical product development, lens design, imaging systemsProduct validation, quality control, performance testing
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

Optical Design Engineers focus on creating and optimizing optical systems using design software, while Optical Test Engineers verify and validate these designs through testing and measurements. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and often work closely in optical product development, but their core responsibilities differ in design versus testing.

Are optical design engineers in high demand?

Optical design engineers are in high demand due to the growth of industries such as telecommunications, consumer electronics, and aerospace that rely on advanced optical systems. Their expertise in lens design, optical simulations, and proficiency with tools like Zemax or Code V makes them valuable in developing innovative optical solutions, especially as technology continues to advance.

What do optical design engineers do?

Optical design engineers develop and optimize optical systems and components, such as lenses, microscopes, and cameras, using specialized software like Zemax or Code V. They analyze light behavior, perform simulations, and ensure designs meet performance specifications, often collaborating with manufacturing and testing teams. Strong knowledge of optics, physics, and CAD tools is essential for this role.

What are popular job titles related to Optical Design Engineer jobs in Massachusetts?

For Optical Design Engineer jobs in Massachusetts, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What are popular job titles related to Optical Design Engineer jobs in MA?

For Optical Design Engineer jobs in MA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Optical Design Engineer job openings in Massachusetts as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 88% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 16% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $152,806 per year, or $73.5 per hour.

Senior Optical Design Engineer

Amherst, MA • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

POSITION - Senior Optical Design Engineer

Mar 30, 2026

Company

Myrias Optics, Inc. is a fast-growing startup using proprietary nanoimprint technology to revolutionize the way optical components and systems are conceptualized, designed, and manufactured. The company is positioned to disrupt markets across a wide range of applications including consumer electronics, AR/VR, 3D scanners and LiDAR, imaging systems, optical communications, medical equipment, optical computing and more. Our unique all-inorganic imprinted optics enable metalenses, diffractive optics, waveguides all manufactured using wafer level process. By removing any organic material, we not only eliminate environmental and reliability issues but at the same time enable more complex designs with unmatched optical performance and highly cost-effective manufacturing.

POSITION - Senior Optical Design Engineer

Reporting to the Lead, the Senior Optical Design Engineer will collaborate with a talented team of engineers and scientists to help envision and design cutting-edge Myrias Optics components and systems. Specifically, this position will head up Myrias' design efforts, shaping the optical components and subsystem for our external customers and internal products. This position will also be responsible for growing and managing the optical design team. This is an exciting opportunity for a highly motivated and capable engineer to gain expertise in the growing fields of meta-optics, waveguides, and diffractive optics. Together, we can shape next-generation optical systems for consumer devices, AR/VR, medical instrumentation, automobiles, robotics, and more.

POSITION TYPE: Full time, on-site
LOCATION: Amherst, MA

RESPONSIBILITIES
  • In collaboration with the technical team, the candidate will perform day-to-day metasurface design and analysis based on Myrias' proprietary all-inorganic nano-imprint materials and processes.
  • Expand Myrias' design capabilities, including development of simulation workflows and modeling pipelines using in-house developed codes, to advance our unique and proprietary optical design environment.
  • Design and simulate optical components and sub systems (waveguides, diffractive optics, meta-optics, etc.)
  • Automate design tasks using Python and MATLAB for next-generation and future metasurface products.
  • Perform tolerance studies, optimize, and iterate on designs to meet manufacturing requirements for Myrias' products.
  • Coordinate with process development and production teams to bridge the gap between design and manufacturing.
  • Support specification and acquisition of key design tools and hardware.
  • Providing customer support for new designs and products and participating in customer meetings.
  • Create detailed internal specification documents for simulation methodologies, design rules, and customer product reports.
QUALIFICATIONS
  • Ph.D. or MS.c. with 5+ years of related experience in optical engineering, electrical engineering, or equivalent field.
  • Strong experience conducting design and simulation of optical components and systems, such as diffractive optics, imaging systems, optical waveguides, laser systems.
  • Solid understanding of metasurface physics, and diffractive, geometrical, and ray optics.
  • Proficiency in Python, MATLAB, and C/C++ for scientific computing, and workflow automation.
  • Extensive hands-on experience with commercial and custom optical design and simulation tools, including RCWA (e.g., S4), FDTD (Meep or Lumerical), Zemax/CodeV, and RSoft; familiarity with additional modeling techniques and tools such as TMM, FEM, LightTrans, etc., is highly desirable.
  • Proficiency with Windows, Linux, and macOS environments, as well as experience using SLURM for workload and job management.
  • Experience with optical characterization and the ability to experimentally validate designs in a laboratory setting.
  • Strong interpersonal and technical communication skills.
  • Familiarity with CAD design packages (e.g., SolidWorks or AutoCAD) are desirable.
  • Familiarity with imprint or nanofabrication processes and cleanroom experience are a plus.
  • Ability to bridge technology development with commercial demands.
  • Comfortable with the fast-paced startup or early-stage business environment.
  • Entrepreneurial spirit, detail-oriented, and self-driven with a hands-on, roll-up-the-sleeves mentality.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Experience developing custom simulation tools and optimization pipeline.
  • Experience with integrating machine learning and inverse design methods into metasurface design process.
WHAT WE OFFER
  • Competitive Compensation Package, including equity
  • Full Medical and Dental plans
  • Insurance: Company paid disability insurance
  • Paid time off: Vacation and sick time
EEO Statement

Myrias Optics is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and *Affirmative Action* employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.

Myrias Optics | Individual Contributor | VP Growth Track Role Overview Myrias Optics is commercializing a proprietary nanoimprint manufacturing platform that produces...

Myrias Optics | Primary Revenue Driver | Team Builder Role Overview Myrias Optics is commercializing a proprietary nanoimprint manufacturing platform that produces...

Company Myrias Optics, Inc. is a fast-growing startup using proprietary nanoimprint technology to revolutionize the way optical components and systems are...

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