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Optical Design Jobs in Texas (NOW HIRING)

BAE Systems

Eng Sr Prin - Optical

Austin, TX · On-site

$132K - $226K/yr

At BAE Systems we design, develop and manufacture highly sophisticated EO/IR solutions that service a variety of product areas for government and commercial applications. The Senior Principal Optical ...

EssilorLuxottica

Target Optical - Optician

Sugar Land, TX · On-site

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Target Optical is part of EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of world-class vision care products, including iconic eyewear, advanced lens technology and ...

Essilor

Target Optical - Optician

Sugar Land, TX

$15.75 - $20.50/hr

Target Optical is part of EssilorLuxottica, a global leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of world-class vision care products, including iconic eyewear, advanced lens technology and ...

Amphenol

Mechanical Design Engineer

Allen, TX · On-site

$80K - $100K/yr

Amphenol Fiber Systems International (AFSI) is a full service fiber optic company specializing in ... Mechanical Design Engineer Position requires candidates to be U.S. person as defined in ITAR, 22CFR ...

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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 Jun 16, 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 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 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 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 $132,948 per year, or $63.9 per hour.
Senior Optical Engineer

Senior Optical Engineer

Foxconn Industrial Internet

Houston, TX • On-site

$123K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through high-volume manufacturing. This role focuses on the optical subsystem architecture, performance margins, tolerances, contamination sensitivity, and system stability, and will drive validation, characterization, and production readiness from prototypes through product maturity.
This is a highly cross-functional role working closely with NPI, test engineering, manufacturing teams, and customers to ensure robust optical performance and scalable production solutions.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead deep-dive investigations of complex optical path issues, identifying root causes and driving improvements across design, test, fixtures, and manufacturing processes through structured experiments and DOE methodologies.
  • Partner with NPI and Test Engineering teams to develop manufacturable optical measurement strategies, including selection and integration of optical test equipment for product development and production environments.
  • Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define and implement optical inspection and cleaning processes to improve yield, reduce retest rates, and maintain optical performance standards.
  • Support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for automated optical inspection and cleaning systems by defining acceptance criteria, conducting qualification and correlation studies, and closing readiness gaps prior to production release.
  • Qualify optical test equipment and stations through measurement system analysis, including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and station-to-station correlation studies.
  • Analyze production and test data to identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions prior to mass production.
  • Document technical findings, validation results, and process improvements to support design and manufacturing readiness.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of experience in optical engineering, optical testing, or optical manufacturing/NPI supporting complex hardware systems in laboratory or production environments.
  • Proven experience troubleshooting optical path issues, including fiber connectors, end-face quality, contamination control, and optical signal integrity.
  • Hands-on experience implementing optical measurement systems, including automation, calibration, data logging, and traceability.
  • Experience defining and validating optical inspection and cleaning processes in collaboration with cross-functional or customer teams.
  • Strong experimental and analytical skills with experience conducting structured experiments (DOE) and applying data-driven decision making.
  • Ability to produce clear technical documentation and communicate findings to engineering and manufacturing teams.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with optical switching products or high-speed networking optics, including fiber-based interconnects, optical modules, or optical assemblies.
  • Familiarity with high-speed optical link testing and performance metrics such as BER, eye diagrams, jitter margin, and signal integrity analysis.
  • Experience supporting equipment qualification and production readiness, including SAT planning and execution.
  • Working knowledge of measurement system capability analysis including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and correlation studies.
  • Experience working with mechanical designs and interpreting 2D/3D CAD drawings.

Work Location: Houston, TX (onsite)
Foxconn Industrial Internet is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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