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Optical Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Creates, designs, and develops engineering and optical solutions for new lighting applications ... Actively participates in prototype builds, design verification, and validation testing of ...

Optical Engineer

Fletcher, NC · On-site

$122K - $158K/yr

\n \n \n Optical Design Engineer We are seeking an Optical Design Engineer to join a well\-respected team of engineers in building innovative LED lighting for emergency vehicles - the lights that help ...

Optical Engineer

Southfield, MI · On-site

$118K - $153K/yr

Ensure that optical designs can be tooled, manufactured, and meet legal and customer requirements ... Interface pro-actively with Design Engineers, Electrical Engineers, Tooling Engineers, and ...

Optical Engineer

Southfield, MI · On-site

$118K - $153K/yr

FMVSS 108, ECE, CCC, and SAE standards. • Assist in design of manufacturing tools, fixtures and ... S. in Engineering or Applied Physics. • 4+ yrs. Illumination Optical Design (non-imaging ...

Optical Engineer

Albuquerque, NM

$125K - $161K/yr

Design, analyze, develop, and tolerance optical components and systems to meet or exceed product specifications. Evaluate optical design feasibility considering requirements, tolerances ...

Optical Engineer

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$125K - $161K/yr

This role evaluates optical design feasibility based on performance requirements, tolerances, manufacturing capabilities, and cost considerations. The Optical Engineer serves as a technical resource ...

Optical Engineer

Ann Arbor, MI · On-site

$126K - $163K/yr

Key Responsibilities: • Design, simulate, and develop complex micro-optical assemblies, lasers ... Qualifications: • BS, MS or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or ...

Senior Optical Engineer

Orlando, FL · On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

Our engineering excellence, based in Washington State, Washington D.C., Hamburg, Germany and ... Perform optical design and analysis of free-space optical systems using Zemax OpticStudio ...

We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display ... Key Responsibilities Optical design engineer to support the development of high-performance optical ...

Optical Engineer IV

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display ... Key Responsibilities Optical design engineer to support the development of high-performance optical ...

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Optical Design Engineer information

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$79.5K

$139.9K

$187.5K

How much do optical design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical design engineer in the United States is $139,917.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $158,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Are optical engineers in high demand?

Optical engineers are in high demand due to their expertise in designing and developing optical systems for industries such as telecommunications, healthcare, and defense. The growing use of laser technology, imaging systems, and photonics drives employment opportunities, especially for those with skills in optical design software and systems integration.

What engineers make $500,000?

Highly experienced optical design engineers working in specialized industries such as aerospace, defense, or high-end imaging can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually, especially with seniority, advanced skills, and leadership roles. Such compensation often includes bonuses, stock options, or other incentives, and typically requires advanced degrees and extensive experience in optical systems and design tools like Zemax or Code V.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior optical design engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in optical modeling software, and specialized knowledge in areas like laser systems or imaging often earn $300,000 or more annually. High-level engineering roles in industries such as aerospace, defense, or high-tech manufacturing tend to offer such compensation levels, especially with leadership responsibilities or in high-cost regions.

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 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 collaborate with manufacturing teams to ensure designs meet performance specifications and quality standards.

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.
More about Optical Design Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Optical Design Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Optical Design Engineer job openings:
Who are the top companies hiring for Optical Design Engineer jobs? The top employers for Optical Design Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Optical Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical Design Engineer jobs include:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Design Engineer jobs? For Optical Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Optical Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, and 17% Part Time. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,917 per year, or $67.3 per hour.
Optical Engineer - Lens Design & Systems Analysis

Optical Engineer - Lens Design & Systems Analysis

Corning

Fairport, NY

$122K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Corning rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 125 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

77th of 521 rated manufacturers


Job description

Requisition Number: 75748

The company built on breakthroughs. ​  
Join us.​            
       

                                                          

Corning is one of the world’s leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what’s possible.  ​  

How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations – not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward. ​  

​At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.​   

Come break through with us.  

Corning’s businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with: 

  • Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
  • Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
  • Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
  • Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences 
  • Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation 
  • Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions

Purpose of Position

Corning Advanced Optics is seeking an experienced optical design engineer to join our team.  This engineer will contribute to the design, analysis, tolerancing, and build of complex optical systems, working in multidisciplinary teams of engineers from concept development through hardware delivery.

Day to Day Responsibilities

  • Participate in early-stage discussions with customers to distill & translate customer requirements into concrete system specifications.
  • Develop lens design forms for complex optical systems that meet these system specifications.
  • Develop manufacturing tolerances and build strategies for these lens systems using custom sensitivity and tolerancing software.
  • Collaborate with system metrology and controls engineers to develop appropriate measurement and optimization test benches.
  • Provide optical design support to both prototype development and long-term manufacturing.
  • Analyze the influential metrics to understand operational performance of an optical system.
  • Document optical design details that include lens prescription, build strategy, tolerances, and critical analysis.
  • Plan and implement optical design processes to transfer the system to production.

In summary, this engineer will work within a multi-disciplinary project team to design, analyze, engineer, and build lens systems from concept to hardware completion.                  

Required Qualifications

  • Minimum BS degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, or a closely related field. 
  • 5+ years of industry experience in optical design engineering, working on the full life cycle of complex optical systems, from design concept to hardware delivery.
  • Proficiency using commercial optical design software for the design, optimization, and analysis of imaging optical systems; experience with CODE V is preferred
  • Experience with distilling a complex set of customer optical system requirements into cohesive optical design specifications.
  • Keen understanding of optical manufacturing strategies, sensitivity analysis, tolerancing, and fabrication methods.
  • Familiarity with lens system performance metrics, including first-order properties, wavefront error, resolution, distortion, polarization-sensitive performance (transmission, retardance, and diattenuation), etc..
  • Ability to present and communicate optical design concepts, tradeoffs, and technical details to a multi-disciplinary team and with the customer.

Desired Qualifications

  • MS, PhD degree preferred
  • Experience supporting and designing optical projects through concept design, engineering development, and hardware delivery.
  • Knowledge of optical design principles for imaging and/or illumination systems.
  • Familiarity with optical designs for illumination systems.
  • Experience using a wide range of optical software analysis tools for both imaging and illumination systems, including CODE V, Zemax, LightTools, FRED, etc..
  • Broad optical design experience in monochromatic and broadband lens systems operating in the UV and/or visible portions of the spectrum.
  • Familiarity with refractive, reflective and catadioptric design forms.
  • Macro development in optical design code, data analysis and script development in MATLAB or Python.
  • Solid background in mathematics (calculus and linear algebra) and in geometrical and physical optics, to be equipped to work with proprietary or novel performance metrics for our most challenging optical systems.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.

The range for this position is $112,902.00 - $155,240.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education. 

A job that shapes a life.  

Corning offers you the total package.  

Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.

  • Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
  • As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning’s total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
  • Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.  
  • Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That’s why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions. 

We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.

Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.


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