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Optical Design Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX (NOW HIRING)

MHI

CAD Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

Job Title: CAD Engineer Location: Pearland, Texas Employee Type: Exempt/Full-time Reports To ... Knowledge of optical metrology software (Hexagon SpatialAnalyzer, Polyworks Inspector, FARO BuildIT ...

Raytheon

Senior FPGA Design Engineer

Houston, TX

$117K - $161K/yr

As a Senior FPGA Design Engineer you will develop FPGA designs for all major vendors and device ... RF) and Electro-Optical (EO) DSP, controls, data links, embedded processing and processor ...

Amphenol TCS

Customer Quality Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

... Optics, and Commercial electronics markets. Amphenol Corporation is one of the world's largest ... We design and manufacture a wide range of innovative connectors as well as cable assemblies for ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsOptical Design Engineer JobsOptical Design Engineer Jobs in Houston, TX

Optical Design Engineer information

See Houston, TX salary details

$75.9K

$133.6K

$179.1K

How much do optical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical design engineer in Houston, TX is $133,616.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,200.00 and $151,400.00 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 are Optical Design Engineers?

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 Houston, TX? For Optical Design Engineer jobs in Houston, TX, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Design Engineer jobs in Houston, TX look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Design Engineer jobs in Houston, TX are:
What cities near Houston, TX are hiring for Optical Design Engineer jobs? Cities near Houston, TX with the most Optical Design Engineer job openings:
Optical Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Design Engineer job openings in Houston, TX as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, and 4% Part Time. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $133,616 per year, or $64.2 per hour.
Senior Optical Engineer

Senior Optical Engineer

Foxconn Industrial Internet

Houston, TX • On-site

$123K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through high-volume manufacturing. This role focuses on the optical subsystem architecture, performance margins, tolerances, contamination sensitivity, and system stability, and will drive validation, characterization, and production readiness from prototypes through product maturity.
This is a highly cross-functional role working closely with NPI, test engineering, manufacturing teams, and customers to ensure robust optical performance and scalable production solutions.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead deep-dive investigations of complex optical path issues, identifying root causes and driving improvements across design, test, fixtures, and manufacturing processes through structured experiments and DOE methodologies.
  • Partner with NPI and Test Engineering teams to develop manufacturable optical measurement strategies, including selection and integration of optical test equipment for product development and production environments.
  • Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define and implement optical inspection and cleaning processes to improve yield, reduce retest rates, and maintain optical performance standards.
  • Support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for automated optical inspection and cleaning systems by defining acceptance criteria, conducting qualification and correlation studies, and closing readiness gaps prior to production release.
  • Qualify optical test equipment and stations through measurement system analysis, including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and station-to-station correlation studies.
  • Analyze production and test data to identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions prior to mass production.
  • Document technical findings, validation results, and process improvements to support design and manufacturing readiness.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of experience in optical engineering, optical testing, or optical manufacturing/NPI supporting complex hardware systems in laboratory or production environments.
  • Proven experience troubleshooting optical path issues, including fiber connectors, end-face quality, contamination control, and optical signal integrity.
  • Hands-on experience implementing optical measurement systems, including automation, calibration, data logging, and traceability.
  • Experience defining and validating optical inspection and cleaning processes in collaboration with cross-functional or customer teams.
  • Strong experimental and analytical skills with experience conducting structured experiments (DOE) and applying data-driven decision making.
  • Ability to produce clear technical documentation and communicate findings to engineering and manufacturing teams.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with optical switching products or high-speed networking optics, including fiber-based interconnects, optical modules, or optical assemblies.
  • Familiarity with high-speed optical link testing and performance metrics such as BER, eye diagrams, jitter margin, and signal integrity analysis.
  • Experience supporting equipment qualification and production readiness, including SAT planning and execution.
  • Working knowledge of measurement system capability analysis including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and correlation studies.
  • Experience working with mechanical designs and interpreting 2D/3D CAD drawings.

Work Location: Houston, TX (onsite)
Foxconn Industrial Internet is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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