ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Optical Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

IonQ

Optical Engineer

Broomfield, CO

$116K - $152K/yr

This role requires hands-on experience with optical design software, a strong background in optics ... Bachelor's degree or higher in Optics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering ...

AEI-CIG

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$110K - $200K/yr

Position Overview We are seeking an Optical Engineer to support the design, development, and optimization of optical transceiver products for high-speed optical communication systems. The candidate ...

Panduit

Fiber Optics Design Engineer

Tinley Park, IL · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

The Fiber Optics Design Engineer will drive the design and development of innovative fiber optic ... Education: Bachelor's Degree Engineering, Opto-electronics, or Optical Engineering. Advanced ...

Intellectt INC

Senior Optical Engineer

Princeton, NJ · On-site

Design, model, and optimize optical systems for imaging and microscopy. * Perform detailed optical ... Collaborate with cross-functional engineering teams and external vendors. * Create technical ...

Panduit

Fiber Optics Design Engineer

Tinley Park, IL

$80K - $100K/yr

The Fiber Optics Design Engineer will drive the design and development of innovative fiber optic ... Education: Bachelor's Degree Engineering, Opto-electronics, or Optical Engineering. Advanced ...

Raytheon

Principal Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$137K - $177K/yr

Optical design and analysis with Zemax, CodeV, FRED, and/or Matlab. * Optical requirements ... Typically requires a degree in Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) and a minimum ...

IonQ

Optical Engineer

Broomfield, CO · On-site

$116K - $152K/yr

This role requires hands-on experience with optical design software, a strong background in optics ... Bachelor's degree or higher in Optics, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering ...

Gamma Scientific

Senior Optical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$137K - $177K/yr

The Senior Optical Engineer will be responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing optical ... Day-to-day tasks include optical design, systems development, laser integration, testing, and ...

Alcon

Senior Optical Engineer

Fort Worth, TX · On-site

As a Senior Optical Engineer supporting the Intraocular Lens (IOL) R&D and Advanced Optics team ... Leading end-to-end optical design and simulation using Zemax/Code V, developing proprietary optics ...

Gamma Scientific

CA · On-site

$128K - $166K/yr

The Senior Optical Engineer will be responsible for designing, testing, and optimizing optical ... Day-to-day tasks include optical design, systems development, laser integration, testing, and ...

TRL11, Inc.

Lead Optical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$139K - $179K/yr

Design and implement optical test setups including alignment tools, calibration methods, and ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics/Electrical Engineering or a related ...

Coherent

Lead Optical Product Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$152K - $197K/yr

Conduct and well manage design documents, ECO, design change implementation in new product release ... D in Optics, Optical Engineering, Opto-mechanical instrumentation. Advanced education ...

Coherent Corp.

Lead Optical Product Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$152K - $197K/yr

Experience of Co-package optical design/architecture and Si-Photonics is preferable. • ... engineering and production. • Demonstrate ability to DfX, DfM and to solve complex issues in ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsOptical Design Engineer Jobs

Optical Design Engineer information

See salary details

$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 job categories do people searching Optical Design Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Design Engineer jobs are:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Design Engineer jobs? For Optical Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Optical Design Engineer jobs near you
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.
Senior Principal Optical Design Engineer

Senior Principal Optical Design Engineer

II-VI Aerospace & Defense

Fremont, CA • On-site

$148K - $205K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Perform optical modeling, parameter optimization, and simulate and calculate related optical tolerances to guide design aspects.

  • Communicate with suppliers and internal teams to build components, respond to feedback and design for manufacturability, and optimize design and assembly workflows.

  • Support failure analysis on components and final products from an optical perspective, and train new optical engineers and peer review optical design.

Job description


Primary Duties & Responsibilities
  • As a core member of design team, Candidate should be responsible for optical modeling and parameters optimizing, simulate and calculate the related optical tolerances as the guideline to other design aspects.
  • Communicate with suppliers and CM/SDE to build components, respond to feedbacks and DFM from them. Candidate should have an overall view of advanced technologies and proactively develop the sense to design the most suitable technical route for project needs.
  • Coordinate with internal team include Process, Testing, Automation to review and response to their DFM items, optimize design and establish appropriate assembly and test workflow. Candidate should have good experience to make the high manufacturability design to have good projected production yield.
  • Responsible for and support the failure analysis on the components and final products from optical aspect of view. Candidates should have a wide range of technical knowledge; not only within job function, but in other fields which can be used to solve problems.
  • Responsible for training new optical engineers and peer review optical design.

Education & Experience
  • Bachelor's degree with 7 years of related experience in optical transceiver electrical design.
  • Or Master's degree with 5 years; or a PhD with 3 years experience.

Skills & Other Requirements
  • Capable of expressing in English with accuracy and efficiency, for both written and oral.
  • Proficiency with optics ray tracing software such as Zemax.
  • Familiarity with fiber optic transceivers and CPO/NPO modules a plus.

Working Conditions
  • This position is on-site full time.
  • May require occasional off-site meetings or travel
  • Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary
  • Interaction with team members and external contacts is a regular part of the job
  • May require occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours to accommodate the executive's needs

Physical Requirements
  • Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings.
  • Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.
  • Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.
  • Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.
  • Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings or interact with colleagues.

Safety Requirements
All employees are required to follow the site EHS procedures and Coherent Corp. Corporate EHS standards.
Quality and Environmental Responsibilities
Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.
Culture Commitment
Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:
Integrity - Create an Environment of Trust
Collaboration - Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas
Accountability - Own the Process and the Outcome
Respect - Recognize the Value in Everyone
Enthusiasm - Find a Sense of Purpose in Work
Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.
If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at talentacquisition@coherent.com.
About Us
Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!
Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.

Apply