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Optical Engineer Jobs in Hawaii (NOW HIRING)

US Department of the Air Force

$63K/yr

Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of ... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B. Combination of education and ...

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

$74K/yr

Degree : Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of ... as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR Combination of education and ...

US Department of the Air Force

$74K/yr

Degree : Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of ... as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR Combination of education and ...

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

$76K/yr

Degree: Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of ... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B. Combination of education and ...

US Department of the Navy

$88K/yr

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the NUCLEAR MATERIAL ORDERING BRANCH of PEARL HARBOR NSY ... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the ...

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

$63K/yr

Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of ... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B. Combination of education and ...

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

$88K/yr

You will serve as a NUCLEAR ENGINEER in the NUCLEAR MATERIAL ORDERING BRANCH of PEARL HARBOR NSY ... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. Such education must demonstrate the ...

US Department of the Air Force

$76K/yr

Degree: Professional Engineering. To be acceptable, the curriculum must: (1) be in a school of ... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. OR B. Combination of education and ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsOptical Engineer Jobs in Hawaii

Optical Engineer information

See Hawaii salary details

$86.2K

$149.2K

$175.1K

How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical engineer in Hawaii is $149,206.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,000.00 and $173,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Optical Engineer vs Optical Technician?

AspectOptical EngineerOptical Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's or higher in optical engineering, physics, or related fieldAssociate's degree or technical certification in optics or related field
Work EnvironmentDesign, development, and testing of optical systems in labs or R&D settingsAssembly, alignment, and maintenance of optical equipment in manufacturing or labs
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, tech companies, aerospace, defenseManufacturers, optical labs, production facilities

Optical Engineers focus on designing and developing optical systems, requiring higher education and involved in R&D. Optical Technicians handle the assembly, alignment, and maintenance of optical devices, often with technical certifications. Both roles are essential in the optics industry but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What Does an Optical Engineer Do?

An optical engineer oversees the scientific application of optics and light in an industrial, research, or manufacturing setting. As an optical engineering professional, your responsibilities include the design of instruments and products that rely on optics, from space telescopes to DVD players. You also may work in research and development to create new technologies and applications for optical science. Your specific duties and the level of education you need varies depending on the field in which you work

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

To thrive as an Optical Engineer, you need a solid background in physics, optics, and mathematics, typically supported by a degree in optical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), CAD tools, and laboratory equipment is commonly required, along with relevant certifications like SPIE or OSA membership. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for success in this field. These skills and qualifications are vital for designing precise optical systems, solving complex technical challenges, and collaborating on innovative projects.

What are some typical challenges Optical Engineers face when working on new product development?

Optical Engineers involved in new product development often encounter challenges such as balancing optical performance with manufacturability and cost constraints. They must collaborate closely with mechanical and electrical engineers to ensure system integration meets all technical requirements. Additionally, they need to troubleshoot issues that arise during prototyping, such as unexpected aberrations or alignment difficulties, and iterate designs rapidly to meet project timelines. Effective communication and creative problem-solving are essential in overcoming these hurdles.

What does an optical engineer do?

An optical engineer designs and develops devices and systems that use the properties of light, such as lenses, lasers, microscopes, and fiber optics. They use principles of physics and engineering to solve problems related to the generation, transmission, and detection of light. Optical engineers work in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, aerospace, healthcare, and manufacturing. Their work often involves research, testing, and improving optical components and systems to enhance performance and efficiency.
More about Optical Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Hawaii? The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Hawaii are:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Engineer jobs in Hawaii? For Optical Engineer jobs in Hawaii, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Engineer jobs in Hawaii look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Engineer jobs in Hawaii are:
What cities in Hawaii are hiring for Optical Engineer jobs? Cities in Hawaii with the most Optical Engineer job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Engineer jobs in HI? For Optical Engineer jobs in HI, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Engineer job openings in Hawaii as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 93% Full Time, and 7% Part Time. Highlights an 96% In-person, and 4% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $149,206 per year, or $71.7 per hour.
Supervisory General Engineer

Supervisory General Engineer

US Department of the Army

Wheeler Army Airfield, HI

$131K/yr

Other

Re-posted 20 days ago

United States Army rating

6.1

Company rating: 6.1 out of 10

Based on 486 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 46 rated military and defense

Job description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
About the Position: Hawaii has many outdoor activities all year-round including surfing, fishing, and hiking.Qualifications:Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.
Basic Requirement for General Engineer:
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:
Specialized Experience for GS-14: One year of specialized experience which includes Uses guidelines in the design and construction of new or existing facilities/infrastructure or the repair, restoration, or alteration of facilities; Develop project specifications and design criteria for major architectural and infrastructure construction projects ; Guide engineering solutions to unusual issues, and situations; Track and realign project resource allocations based on funding or personnel assessments/restrictions. This definition of specialized experience is typical of work performed at the next lower grade/level position in the federal service (GS-13)Education:FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/Employment Type: OTHER

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National security, health care and social assistance, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Arlington, VA, US

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