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Optical Design Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

Neurophos Inc

Staff Optical Design Engineer

Austin, TX · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

The Staff Optical Design Engineer will own the optical architecture and performance of the optical system and/or components from concept through production and will be an expert in optical design and ...

CivicMinds, Inc.

Camera & Optical Engineer

Richardson, TX · On-site

$116K - $151K/yr

Richardson, TX Type: Full-time | On-site Responsibilities: • Design, develop, and optimize optical systems including lenses, sensors, and lighting subsystems • Perform tolerance analysis, stray ...

Applied Concepts

Camera and Optical Engineer

Richardson, TX · On-site

$116K - $150K/yr

Applied Concepts has an exciting opportunity at our Richardson R&D facility, where you will be contributing to our optical system design, image processing, and sensor technology as a Camera and ...

BAE Systems

Eng Sr Prin - Optical

Austin, TX · On-site

$132K - $226K/yr

This will include the design, analysis, building and test of laser and optical subsystems ... Responsibilities include the development of laser system requirements, laser beam modeling, cross ...

Exowatt

Lead Optical Engineer (Austin, TX)

Austin, TX · On-site

$127K - $165K/yr

In this role, you will design and optimize non-imaging optics for maximum flux transfer, build and automate optical test setups, validate models against on-sun performance, and work across the optic ...

Exowatt

Lead Optical Engineer (Austin, TX)

Austin, TX · On-site

$127K - $165K/yr

In this role, you will design and optimize non-imaging optics for maximum flux transfer, build and automate optical test setups, validate models against on-sun performance, and work across the optic ...

Exowatt

Lead Optical Engineer (Austin, TX)

Austin, TX · On-site

$127K - $165K/yr

In this role, you will design and optimize non-imaging optics for maximum flux transfer, build and automate optical test setups, validate models against on-sun performance, and work across the optic ...

Randstad

Fiber Optics Manufacturing Technician

Austin, TX · On-site

$70K - $95K/yr

If you thrive in data center environments and excel at passive optical design, this role offers an ideal platform to advance your career. Key Responsibilities: * Perform hands-on testing and ...

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All JobsOptical Design JobsOptical Design Jobs in Texas

Optical Design information

See Texas salary details

$75.5K

$134.6K

How much do optical design jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical design in Texas is $132,948.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $133,200.00 and $133,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 are popular job titles related to Optical Design jobs in Texas?

For Optical Design jobs in Texas, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical Design jobs in Texas look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Design jobs in Texas are:

Optical Design jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Design job openings in Texas as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $132,948 per year, or $63.9 per hour.

Staff Optical Design Engineer

Neurophos Inc

Austin, TX • On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

About Neurophos
The demand for new data centers and AI compute is rapidly outpacing the planet's energy capacity. Digital solutions are hitting a power wall as we approach the physical limits of traditional silicon. Conquering this bottleneck means rethinking the fundamental architecture of inference compute. The industry's current path can't meet the need, so we're taking a different approach.
Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density. By using photonics instead of electricity, our chips become more efficient as they scale. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving performance for large-scale AI inference.
We've assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others.
Join us and shape the future of computing!
Location: Austin, TX. Full-time onsite position.
Reports To: VP of Optics
FLSA Status: Exempt
Position Overview
The optical team is responsible for the optical design and simulation of the OPU's free-space optical path. This system is critical to enabling our optical processing engine to meet the performance requirements for analog compute. The Staff Optical Design Engineer will own the optical architecture and performance of the optical system and/or components from concept through production and will be an expert in optical design and simulation, working closely with optomechanical design, photonics, electrical, and system engineering teams.
Key Responsibilities
  • Optical design/optimization and simulation of complex optical systems and components.
  • Utilize Zemax or other optical design tools to perform tolerance analysis, sensitivity, and stray light simulations.
  • Collaborate directly with external suppliers on technical specifications (DFM).
  • Partner closely with optomechanical, photonics, electrical, and system engineering teams.
  • Support laboratory efforts to align, debug, and characterize optical systems and components.
  • Represent optical design in system reviews, own relevant sections of system requirement documents, and communicate status and risk to engineers and executives.

Qualifications
  • Master's or Ph.D. in Optical Science, Optical Engineering, Physics, or a tightly relevant technical track.
  • 5+ years of industry experience as an optical design engineer developing advanced optical systems from concept to market introduction.
  • Deep expertise in imaging optical system design, including beam shaping.
  • Advanced knowledge of aberration theory, tolerancing, DFx, and ghost/straylight simulation.
  • Proficiency using Zemax, LightTools, or other optical design software for sequential and non-sequential ray tracing.
  • Programming skills like Python, Zemax Macro language.
  • Strong communicator, able to convey complex optical design concepts to both technical and executive audiences.

Preferred Skills
  • Prior experience in a fast-moving startup environment.
  • Experience in designing freeform optical systems.
  • Advanced knowledge of optical metrology, alignment, and assembly concepts.

What We Offer
This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in an innovative startup redefining the future of AI hardware. Work on game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative, brilliant team. You'll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence. Come help us bring this transformative technology to the world.
Benefits
Join a team that invests in your future and your well-being. At Neurophos, we offer:
  • 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions.
  • Unlimited PTO. No rigid vacation banks, just a focus on delivery.
  • 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities to ensure our success is your success.
  • Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.
  • Personalized Benefits. Choose the plans that fit your life and take the cash back for those that don't.

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