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Optical Design Engineer Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

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 ...

Uniting Holding

WI · On-site

Design the optical configurations for meeting inspection requirements within the constraints of the ... Collaborate with engineering teams on procurement, training, and upskilling, and assist in sales ...

Koch Industries

Process Engineer

Hudson, WI · On-site

We work together with the world's innovators to design and manufacture electronic solutions that ... Experience in fiber optics, product and process development, and automation * Experience in ...

SOLV Energy, LLC

SCADA Engineer II, EPC

Oregon, WI · On-site

Provide Engineering level support in the design, development and Delivery of the SOLV SCADA ... Fiber Optics, Serial RS-232 / RS-485, and Ethernet TCP/IP. * Strong knowledge of industrial ...

Muth Company

Engineering Program Manager

Sheboygan, WI · On-site

$128K/yr

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

Neurophos Inc.

WI · On-site

Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented ... Design and implement toolchains for our custom LLM accelerator architecture * Develop optimization ...

Koch Industries

Automation Engineer

Hudson, WI · On-site

We work together with the world's innovators to design and manufacture electronic solutions that ... Optimize alignment, polishing, laser processing, and assembly processes series of Fiber Optic ...

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 · 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 ...

Ribbon Communications Inc.

WI · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

Design, implement, and test new data plane features for Ribbon's communications products ... RBBN) delivers communications software, IP and optical networking solutions to service providers ...

Koch Industries

Advanced Process Engineer

Hudson, WI · On-site

We work together with the world's innovators to design and manufacture electronic solutions that ... What Will Put You Ahead * 2+ years experience within the fiber optic industry: installation ...

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Showing results 21-40

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 Sep 14, 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 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 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 September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,225 per year, or $67.9 per hour.

Fiber Splicer/Fiber Optic Splicer

Milwaukee, WI • On-site

Avacend Inc
Analytics and Business Intelligence Systems • 51 - 200 employees
Learn more about Avacend Incexternal

$24.75 - $29.25/hr

Contractor

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Job Description:
 
This is a non-travel position so candidates should live within a reasonable commute distance of Milwaukee.
 
RDS Call:
Fluent on operating test equipment, whether that's an OTDR power meter.
Manager is looking for someone to be local to the location.
Prefer date center background with splicing
Overview
The Datacenter Fiber Specialist will be responsible for ensuring the integrity, performance, and security of Microsoft’s fiber optic network within datacenter operations. This role will focus on fiber delivery, troubleshooting, maintenance, and testing to support critical deployments, fiber-related break-fix operations, and network expansion.
The specialist will provide up to 40 hours per week of expertise during regular business hours, working collaboratively with Microsoft engineering teams, third-party fiber providers, and internal deployment teams to maintain optimal fiber network operations.
 
Key Responsibilities:
1. Fiber Management & Maintenance
• Prevent fiber cuts, degradation, and outages by proactively monitoring and maintaining the fiber infrastructure.
• Perform regular fiber inspections, cleaning, and testing to ensure operational integrity.
• Educate and coach Microsoft full-time employees on fiber maintenance and best practices.
• Collaborate with suppliers, partners, technicians, and customers to coordinate fiber delivery and management.
• Oversee leased and Microsoft-owned fiber to ensure defect-free and on-time delivery of customer capacity.
• Plan and manage fiber logistics, infrastructure, and resources required for new data center expansions.
• Manage vendor/partner relationships, contracts, and service level agreements (SLAs) for fiber-related operations.
• Provide root cause analysis (RCA), lessons learned, and best practice recommendations to improve fiber operations.
2. Fiber Deployment & Testing
• Conduct end-to-end fiber testing to validate new installations and troubleshoot existing infrastructure.
• Perform optical loss testing, OTDR analysis, insertion loss measurements, reflectance tests, and return loss evaluations.
• Ensure all fiber test equipment is calibrated and certified within the past 12 months.
• Generate detailed reports of fiber test results in raw and PDF formats for Microsoft engineering teams.
• Conduct fiber splicing activities to support break-fix operations and deployment needs (bulk splicing excluded).
• Serve as a remote hand's expert for Microsoft engineering teams and third-party fiber providers.
3. Data Center Hygiene & Compliance
• Inspect fiber paths, patch panels, racks, and ports for proper cleanliness and organization.
• Perform remediation tasks such as cable management, labeling updates, and quality assurance measures.
• Trace optical jumpers along circuit pathways to verify quality and eliminate congestion or potential damage.
• Ensure adherence to industry safety codes, regulations, and best practices for fiber optic installations.
4. Change Management & Troubleshooting
• Support fiber-related change management activities, including testing and validation of network modifications.
• Act as a subject matter expert (SME) for fiber-related changes within carrier hotels, meet-me rooms, and leased facilities.
• Troubleshoot and restore fiber outages, working closely with Microsoft remote engineering teams.
• Implement disaster recovery procedures for fiber-related incidents in enterprise environments.

Required Qualifications
• High School Diploma or equivalent with 3+ years of experience supporting fiber optic networks or large-scale deployments.
• Ability to pass Microsoft Cloud Background Check upon hire and every two years thereafter.
• Strong knowledge of fiber optics, dark and lit fiber networks, OTDR testing, and fiber maintenance.
• Experience in fiber optic splicing, testing, and documentation in field service environments.
• Understanding of data center infrastructure, including servers, networking, and rack enclosures.
• Proficiency with fiber testing tools, such as fusion splicers, OTDRs, power meters, and fiber identifiers.
• Ability to read and interpret fiber optic maps, schematics, and test results.
• Willingness to travel and respond to fiber-related issues as needed.
 
Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Telecommunications, Business Management, or related field.
• Experience in mission-critical fiber operations within large-scale environments.
• Experience working with dark and lit fiber providers.
• Experience in aerial and underground fiber delivery.
• 5+ years of experience in outside plant (OSP) and inside plant (ISP) fiber installation, management, and maintenance.
• Expertise in fiber splicing, troubleshooting, and documentation.
• Background in fiber network design, construction, and best practices.
• Knowledge of fiber supply chain, asset management, and logistics.
• IT service operations experience with ITIL, MOF, SLA/OLA frameworks.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Cloud Services and Platforms (Azure, Office 365, etc.).