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Optical Engineer Jobs in New Mexico (NOW HIRING)

Nova Ltd.

Application Engineer

Rio Rancho, NM · On-site

The company combines multiple technological disciplines--including physics, optics, chemistry, and ... As Applications Engineer at Nova you will play a key role in implementing and optimizing advanced ...

Nova Ltd.

Application Engineer

Rio Rancho, NM · On-site

The company combines multiple technological disciplines-including physics, optics, chemistry, and ... As Applications Engineer at Nova you will play a key role in implementing and optimizing advanced ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsOptical Engineer JobsOptical Engineer Jobs in New Mexico

Optical Engineer information

See New Mexico salary details

$80.4K

$139.2K

$163.3K

How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical engineer in New Mexico is $139,169.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,000.00 and $161,800.00 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?

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.

Are optical engineers in high demand?

Optical engineers are in high demand due to their expertise in designing and developing optical systems for industries such as telecommunications, healthcare, and defense. The field offers strong job growth prospects, especially for those with skills in laser technology, photonics, and optical design software. Continuous advancements in technology contribute to sustained employment opportunities for optical engineers.

What do optical engineers work on?

Optical engineers design, develop, and test optical systems and components such as lenses, lasers, and imaging devices. They work on projects related to telecommunications, medical instruments, imaging systems, and laser technology, often using tools like CAD software and requiring knowledge of physics and optics principles.
More about Optical Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in New Mexico? The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in New Mexico are:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Engineer jobs in New Mexico? For Optical Engineer jobs in New Mexico, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Engineer jobs in New Mexico look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Engineer jobs in New Mexico are:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Engineer jobs in NM? For Optical Engineer jobs in NM, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Engineer job openings in New Mexico as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,169 per year, or $66.9 per hour.

Directed Energy Laser Subject Matter Expert (SME) Engineer

Boeing

Albuquerque, NM • On-site

$197K - $266K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 19 days ago

Boeing rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 612 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 538 rated manufacturers

Job description

Job Description
At Boeing, we innovate and collaborate to make the world a better place. We're committed to fostering an environment for every teammate that's welcoming, respectful and inclusive, with great opportunity for professional growth. Find your future with us.
The Boeing Company is seeking a highly experienced Directed Energy (DE) Laser Subject Matter Expert (SME) Engineer to lead technical strategy, system design, integration, and test activities for advanced laser weapon and electro-optical systems. The ideal candidate will provide authoritative technical guidance across concept development, prototyping, fielding, and sustainment of high-energy laser (HEL) systems on aerospace, maritime, and ground platforms. This role interfaces with multidisciplinary engineering teams, program managers, government stakeholders, and external partners.
Position Responsibilities:
  • Serve as the technical authority for HEL system architecture, beam control, optical design, and power/thermal management throughout system lifecycle.
  • Lead requirements derivation, system trade studies, risk assessments, and design reviews.
  • Develop and validate models, simulations, and performance predictions for propagation, atmospheric effects, and target interaction.
  • Define and direct integration and test plans, including lab demonstrations, field tests, and operational evaluations.
  • Provide guidance on safety, laser hazard analysis (LHAL), and compliance with applicable standards (e.g., ANSI Z136, MIL-STD, STANAG).
  • Collaborate with systems engineering, controls, optics, power electronics, thermal, and mechanical teams to ensure subsystem compatibility and system margin.
  • Mentor junior engineers, set technical direction, and capture lessons learned and best practices.
  • Support proposal development, technical briefs, and customer engagements; prepare technical reports and presentations.
  • Maintain awareness of emerging DE technologies, countermeasures, and regulatory/policy changes.
  • Represent the organization in cross-industry working groups, technical conferences, and with government customers as needed.

This position is expected to be 100% onsite. The selected candidate will be required to work onsite at one of the listed location options.
BasicQualifications (Required Skills/Experience):
  • This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)
  • Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited course of study in engineering, engineering technology (includes manufacturing engineering technology), chemistry, physics, mathematics, data science, or computer science
  • 20 or more years' related work experience or an equivalent combination of technical education
  • 10+ years of hands-on experience in directed energy or high-power laser systems development, integration, and test.
  • Experience in one or more of the following: high-energy solid-state lasers, fiber lasers, chemical lasers, beam combining, adaptive optics, beam control, pointing/tracking, laser-target interaction, or laser safety.
  • Experience with system-level requirements, modeling and simulation (optical propagation, thermal management, structural dynamics), and test execution in relevant environments.
  • Experience with power generation/distribution, thermal control, and electro-optical system integration on airborne, naval, or ground platforms.
  • Experience conducting laser hazard analyses and implementing laser safety controls and procedures.

Preferred Qualifications (Desired Skills/Experience):
  • MS/PhD with thesis or publications in optics, lasers, or related fields.
  • Prior experience with weaponization, safety certification, and operational deployment of HEL systems.
  • Familiarity with MIL-STD development, DO-178/DO-254 interaction for avionics integration, and Government acquisition processes.
  • Experience with high-fidelity optical/atmospheric propagation tools (e.g., MODTRAN, WaveTrain, FRED) and control-system simulation (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink).
  • Experience leading cross-functional teams and mentoring early-career engineers.
  • Proven problem-solving skills and ability to decompose complex system issues into actionable engineering tasks.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to present technical material to technical and non-technical audiences.
  • Advanced optics and photonics knowledge.
  • Systems engineering and architecture skills.
  • Modeling & simulation proficiency.
  • Test & evaluation planning and execution.
  • Laser safety and regulatory compliance.
  • Effective stakeholder communication and leadership.
  • Strong project and risk management capabilities.

Conflict of Interest:
Successful candidates for this job must satisfy the Company's Conflict of Interest (COI) assessment process.
Drug Free Workplace:
Boeing is a Drug Free Workplace where post offer applicants and employees are subject to testing for marijuana, cocaine, opioids, amphetamines, PCP, and alcohol when criteria is met as outlined in our policies.
Relocation: This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.Note:Basic relocation will be offered for eligible internal candidates.
Pay & Benefits:
At Boeing, we strive to deliver a Total Rewards package that will attract, engage and retain the top talent. Elements of the Total Rewards package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities.
The Boeing Company also provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work.
The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.
Pay is based upon candidate experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
Summary Pay Range (Subject Matter Expert - Level 6): $197,200 - $266,800
Applications for this position will be accepted until Sept. 02, 2026
Export Control Requirements:
This is not an Export Control position.
Education
Bachelor's Degree or Equivalent Required
Relocation
This position offers relocation based on candidate eligibility.
Security Clearance
This position requires an active U.S. Top Secret Security Clearance (U.S. Citizenship Required). (A U.S. Security Clearance that has been active in the past 24 months is considered active)
Visa Sponsorship
Employer will not sponsor applicants for employment visa status.
Shift
This position is for 1st shift
Equal Opportunity Employer:
Boeing is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, genetic factors, military/veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.

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