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Optical Design Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

ITW Miller

Sr. Optical Engineer

Appleton, WI · On-site

$122K - $158K/yr

We are seeking a skilled and hands-on Senior Optical Engineer to drive the design, development, validation, and optimization of next-generation, high-power fiber laser systems. In this role, you will ...

BARCO

WI · On-site

$90 - $120/hr

As a senior engineer, you will use your optical engineering skills to develop advanced projection ... Design and optimize illumination systems for 1‑DLP projectors. * Develop optical models using ...

TRC Companies, Inc.

Transmission Engineer III

Madison, WI · On-site

$93K - $149K/yr

About Us TRC, Member of WSP, is a global consulting environmental and engineering firm and one of ... optic attachment. Job duties: Design or assist in the design of various transmission and ...

Type One Energy

RF Engineer

Madison, WI · On-site

$120 - $170/hr

Demonstrated experience in microwave or millimeter‑wave engineering, including RF component design, analysis, or testing * Working knowledge of Gaussian beam optics and free‑space wave ...

Avacend Inc

Fiber Splicer/Fiber Optic Splicer

Milwaukee, WI · On-site

$24.75 - $29.25/hr

... engineering teams, third-party fiber providers, and internal deployment teams to maintain optimal ... Perform optical loss testing, OTDR analysis, insertion loss measurements, reflectance tests, and ...

Muth Company

Engineering Program Manager

Sheboygan, WI · On-site

$110 - $150/hr

Engineering Program Leadership and Design Coordination * Lead the planning and coordination of ... mechanical, electrical, optical, software, quality, manufacturing, supplier, and commercial ...

Amcor plc

Vision Engineer

Oshkosh, WI · On-site

This role will be responsible for the design, development, implementation, and ongoing support of ... Selects and specifies cameras, optics, lighting methodologies, filters, and image acquisition ...

Amcor

Vision Engineer

Oshkosh, WI

This role will be responsible for the design, development, implementation, and ongoing support of ... Selects and specifies cameras, optics, lighting methodologies, filters, and image acquisition ...

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All JobsOptical Design Engineer JobsOptical Design Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin

Optical Design Engineer information

See Wisconsin salary details

$80.2K

$141.2K

$189.3K

How much do optical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical design engineer in Wisconsin is $141,225.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,200.00 and $160,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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 popular job titles related to Optical Design Engineer jobs in Wisconsin? For Optical Design Engineer jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Design Engineer jobs in Wisconsin look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Design Engineer jobs in Wisconsin are:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Design Engineer jobs in WI? For Optical Design Engineer jobs in WI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Optical Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Design Engineer job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $141,225 per year, or $67.9 per hour.

Optical Product Development Engineer - Spectroscopy Instruments

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Vision, Life

Re-posted 25 days ago

Thermo Fisher Scientific rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 423 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

200th of 538 rated manufacturers

Job description

Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Laboratory Setting, Office
Job Description
LOCATION: This is a fully onsite position based at our Madison, WI site. Unfortunately, relocation assistance is NOT provided.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screen.
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you'll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while advancing solutions to some of the world's toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
The Analytical Instruments Group (AIG) at Thermo Fisher Scientific provides a broad portfolio of instruments, software, and services that support a wide range of laboratory, production, and field applications. Our solutions are used by customers across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, government, environmental, and industrial markets to advance research, improve productivity, and drive innovation. At the Madison, Wisconsin site, our teams design and manufacture advanced spectroscopy instrumentation used by scientists around the world for research, materials science, energy, and industrial applications.
We are seeking a hands-on Optical Product Development Engineer to help design, build, test, and improve optical systems for FTIR, NIR, and Raman spectroscopy instruments.
This role is ideal for an engineer with a strong foundation in optics who enjoys working in the lab, building prototypes, troubleshooting real hardware, and collaborating across disciplines to turn optical concepts into manufacturable products. The successful candidate should bring a solid technical foundation, hands-on engineering mindset, and curiosity to continue developing advanced optical design skills while contributing directly to product development.
This is a product-focused role, not a purely theoretical modeling role. The engineer will work across optical design, prototyping, alignment, testing, system integration, and transfer to manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop optical subsystems for spectroscopy instruments, including illumination, collection, imaging, sensing, laser, fiber-coupled, or interferometric optical systems
  • Translate product and performance requirements into practical optical designs, prototypes, and testable hardware
  • Build, align, and evaluate optical prototypes in the lab
  • Use optical modeling and simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V, LightTools, or similar tools to support design decisions
  • Perform optical testing, data analysis, and performance characterization
  • Troubleshoot optical, mechanical, electrical, and system-level issues during development and production
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, firmware, systems, manufacturing, and service teams
  • Support optical tolerance analysis, error budgeting, alignment strategies, and performance optimization
  • Develop and execute test plans to verify optical and instrument-level performance
  • Iterate designs based on experimental data, manufacturability, reliability, cost, and performance tradeoffs
  • Support design transfer to manufacturing, including alignment procedures, test methods, yield improvement, and root-cause analysis
  • Work with vendors and suppliers on optical components, coatings, assemblies, and subsystems
  • Contribute to design reviews, technical documentation, and product development milestones
  • Mentor junior engineers or technicians as appropriate

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of experience, or Master's degree plus 3 years experience in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • Experience building, aligning, testing, or troubleshooting optical systems in a laboratory or product development environment
  • Ability to analyze experimental data and use results to improve hardware performance
  • Familiarity with optical design or simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V, LightTools, FRED, or similar tools
  • Comfortable working with laboratory equipment such as optical benches, alignment tools, power meters, spectrometers, interferometers, cameras, detectors, oscilloscopes, or data acquisition systems
  • Practical problem-solving mindset with the ability to debug complex hardware and system-level issues
  • Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams across optical, mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality disciplines
  • Programming or scripting experience in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools for data analysis, automation, or modeling
  • Strong communication skills and ability to document designs, test results, trade studies, and technical decisions

Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong foundation in optical principles, including geometrical optics, diffraction, polarization, imaging, radiometry, and basic wave optics
  • Experience developing optical systems for commercial instruments, analytical instruments, medical devices, life science tools, aerospace systems, defense systems, or other complex hardware products
  • Experience with spectroscopy systems such as FTIR, NIR, Raman, UV-Vis, fluorescence, or related optical measurement technologies
  • Understanding of opto-mechanical design, alignment sensitivity, thermal effects, vibration, stray light, and optical contamination
  • Familiarity with optical tolerancing, metrology, fabrication processes, coatings, and supplier capabilities
  • Experience supporting manufacturing transfer, production troubleshooting, yield improvement, or service investigations
  • Interest in using AI, machine learning, or generative AI tools to improve data analysis, automation, modeling, or engineering productivity

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate has a solid optics foundation and enjoys turning ideas into working hardware. They are comfortable moving between analysis, simulation, hands-on lab work, prototype builds, data analysis, and cross-functional problem solving. They are curious, practical, and eager to grow into a stronger optical designer while helping develop real products that can be manufactured, tested, and supported in the field.

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