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Optical Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$150K - $277K/yr

The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on advanced optical technology development.","responsibilities":"Work on new lens design, characterization and integration into CMOS imager sensor ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on advanced optical technology development. Description - Work on new lens design, characterization and integration into CMOS imager sensor based ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Experience with lens design, optical metrology, tolerance analysis, or similar experience. Preferred Qualifications 3+ years relevant industry experience Experience in Stray light analysis Experience ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Experience with lens design, optical metrology, tolerance analysis, or similar experience. Experience with ZEMAX, CODE V, FRED, LightTool, etc. Experience in lens characterization methodology and ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

Experience with lens design, optical metrology, tolerance analysis, or similar experience. Experience with ZEMAX, CODE V, FRED, LightTool, etc. Preferred Qualifications 3+ years relevant industry ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$129K - $194K/yr

The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on advanced optical technology development. Description - Work on new lens design, characterization and integration into CMOS imager sensor based ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on advanced optical technology development.","responsibilities":"Work on new lens design, characterization and integration into CMOS imager sensor ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$150K - $225K/yr

The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on advanced optical technology development.","responsibilities":"Work on new lens design, characterization and integration into CMOS imager sensor ...

Gooch & Housego PLC

Optical Design Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

... Design Engineers interacting closely with Production, Sales and Process Engineering to help create, test and refine Acousto- and Electro-Optic Products through release-to-Manufacturing. Because of ...

Gooch & Housego PLC

Optical Design Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$140K - $170K/yr

... Design Engineers interacting closely with Production, Sales and Process Engineering to help create, test and refine Acousto- and Electro-Optic Products through release-to-Manufacturing. Because of ...

Atln

Sr. Principal Optical Design Engineer

Tustin, CA · On-site

$117.64 - $211.83/hr

Resource for information about optical sensors and optical sensor technology, including the design and modeling of ultraviolet, visual and infrared waveband systems, optically passive athermal ...

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All JobsOptical Design JobsOptical Design Jobs in California

Optical Design information

See California salary details

$79.9K

$142.6K

How much do optical design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical design in California is $140,832.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,100.00 and $141,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by optical design engineers in project development?

Optical design engineers often face challenges such as balancing performance requirements with cost and manufacturability, ensuring tolerance to environmental factors, and integrating optics with mechanical and electronic systems. Collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams is essential, as changes in one component can impact the entire system's performance. Staying updated with the latest simulation and modeling tools also helps address these challenges efficiently.

What is the difference between Optical Design vs Optical Engineering?

AspectOptical DesignOptical Engineering
CredentialsDegree in optics, physics, or engineeringDegree in optics, physics, or engineering
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, CAD software, simulation toolsManufacturing, testing labs, integration environments
Industry UsageDeveloping lens systems, optical componentsImplementing, testing, and maintaining optical systems
Search/Comparison IntentFocus on designing optical systemsFocus on applying and optimizing optical systems

Optical Design involves creating and simulating optical systems and components, primarily focusing on the conceptual and detailed design phase. Optical Engineering extends this work into implementing, testing, and maintaining these systems in real-world applications. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in their focus within the optical development process.

What is optical design?

Optical design is the process of creating systems and components that manipulate light, such as lenses, mirrors, and optical instruments. Professionals in this field use principles of physics and engineering to design devices like cameras, microscopes, telescopes, and fiber optic systems. They often use specialized software to model how light will travel through different materials and configurations, optimizing for factors like image quality and efficiency. Optical designers work in industries ranging from consumer electronics to healthcare and aerospace.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optical Designer, you need a strong background in physics, optics, and mathematics, typically supported by a relevant engineering or science degree. Familiarity with optical design software such as Zemax or Code V, and knowledge of CAD systems are commonly required, with certifications in these tools considered advantageous. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are essential soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and refining complex designs. These skills ensure the creation of precise, innovative optical systems that meet stringent performance and quality standards.
What are popular job titles related to Optical Design jobs in California? For Optical Design jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Design jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Design jobs in California are:
Optical Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Design job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Nights. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $140,832 per year, or $67.7 per hour.

Optical Design Engineer - Biophotonics

Apple

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago

Apple rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 677 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 30 rated technology retailers

Job description

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, smart people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver the next groundbreaking Apple product. Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unrivaled and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple's customers every single day.
Description
In this Optical Design Engineer role, you will leverage your experience in designing and tolerancing optical systems to lead efforts to design and manufacture ultra-compact, high-precision micro-optical systems. You will start out with novel optics design concepts and turn them into optical systems optimized for mass production.
Minimum Qualifications
BS degree in Optics, Physics, EE or a related field
Experience with at least one commercial optics simulation tools, such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, LightTools, or equivalent
Programming experience using MATLAB, Python, C, or similar tools
Preferred Qualifications
3+ years of relevant industry experience
MS or PhD degree in Optics, Physics, EE or a related field
Understanding of optical physics fundamentals
Familiarity with the design, simulation, optimization, sensitivity and tolerance analysis of complex free space optical systems, with a preference for high-precision micro-optical system design experience
Experience designing incoherent and coherent optical systems
Experience with the design of optics systems for sensing or metrology applications.
Experience in one or more of the following areas: optics design for manufacturability, stray light analysis, physical optics, or coherent optical effects
The ability to work well in an interdisciplinary team environment

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

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