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Optical Design Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Oclaro

Sr. Optical Design Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$85K - $121K/yr

If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us! Sr. Optical design engineer Lumentum is seeking a candidate for the position of a Sr. ...

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

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

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$147K - $272K/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

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

Apple

Optical Design Engineer

Cupertino, CA

$126K - $190K/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 ...

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 ...

Raytheon

Principal Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$137K - $177K/yr

Optical design and tolerancing, optics requirement generation and procurement, creating alignment and test plans, and hands-on assembly, integration, and test. * Optical design and analysis with ...

Raytheon

Senior Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA

$137K - $177K/yr

Optical design and tolerancing, optics requirement generation and procurement, creating alignment and test plans, and hands-on assembly, integration, and test. * Optical design and analysis with ...

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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 Jun 16, 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 does an optical designer do?

An optical designer develops and analyzes optical systems, such as lenses, microscopes, and cameras, to meet specific performance requirements. They use specialized software to simulate light behavior, optimize designs, and ensure manufacturability, often working closely with engineers and scientists. Strong knowledge of optics, physics, and CAD tools is essential for this role.

What is the highest paid design job?

In optical design, senior roles such as Optical Engineering Managers or Lead Optical Designers tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures, especially with advanced skills in optical simulation software and industry experience. These positions typically require a strong background in physics, optics, and engineering, along with leadership responsibilities.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

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

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior optical engineers with extensive experience, advanced skills in optical design software, and specialized knowledge in areas like laser systems or aerospace optics can reach salaries around $500,000, especially in high-demand industries or leadership roles. Achieving this level often requires advanced degrees, certifications, and a track record of significant project contributions.

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 June 2026, with employment types broken down into 96% Full Time, 1% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $140,832 per year, or $67.7 per hour.
Optical Design Engineer - Biophotonics

Optical Design Engineer - Biophotonics

Apple

Cupertino, CA

$147K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 661 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th 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.","responsibilities":"Design, simulate, and analyze complex, ultra-compact free-space optical systems
Utilize your skills in optical design and simulation to propose optics designs, tolerance budgets, as well as testing and qualification approaches and methods
Contribute to the design, implementation, and test of novel technology prove-of-concept devices and prototypes
Work in a team and contribute to the development of next generation optics and photonics devices
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
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
Pay & Benefits
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $147,400 and $220,900, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple's discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple's Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You'll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses - including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

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Get the full story on Breakroom

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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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