With a background in physics, electrical engineering, optics, or optical engineering, you have hands-on experience designing and manufacturing electro-optical devices and thrive at the intersection ...
With a background in physics, electrical engineering, optics, or optical engineering, you have hands-on experience designing and manufacturing electro-optical devices and thrive at the intersection ...
Senior Optical Transport Engineer
$73K - $174K/yr
About the job you're considering The Senior Engineer, Long Haul Wave is an experienced optical transport professional responsible for delivering backbone wavelength services from initial design ...
Senior Optical Transport Engineer
$73K - $174K/yr
About the job you're considering The Senior Engineer, Long Haul Wave is an experienced optical transport professional responsible for delivering backbone wavelength services from initial design ...
Lead Optical Systems Engineer Florham Park, NJ, US + 1 more
Florham Park, NJ · On-site
$105.10 - $231.10/hr
CACI is looking for a Lead Optical Systems Engineer in our Space LOB, supporting our photonics team-- we are expanding! Our laser communications technology is helping NASA provide high-definition ...
New
Lead Optical Systems Engineer Florham Park, NJ, US + 1 more
Florham Park, NJ · On-site
$105.10 - $231.10/hr
CACI is looking for a Lead Optical Systems Engineer in our Space LOB, supporting our photonics team-- we are expanding! Our laser communications technology is helping NASA provide high-definition ...
New
Optical Fiber Scientist
$17 - $22.75/hr
Optical Fiber Scientist Lightera has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in ... The position will likely include interfacing with customers, applications engineering, and ...
Optical Fiber Scientist
$17 - $22.75/hr
Optical Fiber Scientist Lightera has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in ... The position will likely include interfacing with customers, applications engineering, and ...
Optical Fiber Scientist
Somerset, NJ · On-site
$17 - $22.75/hr
Optical Fiber Scientist Lightera has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in ... The position will likely include interfacing with customers, applications engineering, and ...
Optical Fiber Scientist
Somerset, NJ · On-site
$17 - $22.75/hr
Optical Fiber Scientist Lightera has one of the longest and most respectable corporate lineages in ... The position will likely include interfacing with customers, applications engineering, and ...
Senior Fiber Coupling Engineer
New Providence, NJ · On-site
$133K - $212K/yr
Ciena's xPO Micro-Optics Team is driving the future of high-speed connectivity by developing ... Drive technical decision-making as a lead engineer on development projects. The must haves: * 5+ ...
Senior Fiber Coupling Engineer
New Providence, NJ · On-site
$133K - $212K/yr
Ciena's xPO Micro-Optics Team is driving the future of high-speed connectivity by developing ... Drive technical decision-making as a lead engineer on development projects. The must haves: * 5+ ...
Senior Fiber Coupling Engineer
$133K - $212K/yr
Ciena's xPO Micro-Optics Team is driving the future of high-speed connectivity by developing ... Drive technical decision-making as a lead engineer on development projects. The must haves: * 5+ ...
Senior Fiber Coupling Engineer
$133K - $212K/yr
Ciena's xPO Micro-Optics Team is driving the future of high-speed connectivity by developing ... Drive technical decision-making as a lead engineer on development projects. The must haves: * 5+ ...
Opto-Mechanical Engineer
Florham Park, NJ · On-site
Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: None Employee Type: Regular ... Our other optical technology can also help scientists discover biohazards; support intelligence ...
Opto-Mechanical Engineer
Florham Park, NJ · On-site
Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: None Employee Type: Regular ... Our other optical technology can also help scientists discover biohazards; support intelligence ...
Silicon Photonics Design & Test Engineer
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$105K - $195K/yr
Drive the architecture and development of next-generation optical engines in advanced Si photonics ... Lab experience in optical engineering test, fiber-waveguide coupling, and design verification ...
Silicon Photonics Design & Test Engineer
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$105K - $195K/yr
Drive the architecture and development of next-generation optical engines in advanced Si photonics ... Lab experience in optical engineering test, fiber-waveguide coupling, and design verification ...
Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$105K - $195K/yr
Drive the architecture and development of next-generation optical engines in advanced Si photonics ... Lab experience in optical engineering test, fiber-waveguide coupling, and design verification ...
Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$105K - $195K/yr
Drive the architecture and development of next-generation optical engines in advanced Si photonics ... Lab experience in optical engineering test, fiber-waveguide coupling, and design verification ...
Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$105K - $195K/yr
Drive the architecture and development of next-generation optical engines in advanced Si photonics ... Lab experience in optical engineering test, fiber-waveguide coupling, and design verification ...
Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
Manhattan, NY · On-site
$105K - $195K/yr
Drive the architecture and development of next-generation optical engines in advanced Si photonics ... Lab experience in optical engineering test, fiber-waveguide coupling, and design verification ...
Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and ... We are seeking a motivated and innovative R&D Engineer to join our research and development team.
Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and ... We are seeking a motivated and innovative R&D Engineer to join our research and development team.
R&D Engineer
Somerset, NJ · On-site
Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and ... We are seeking a motivated and innovative R&D Engineer to join our research and development team.
R&D Engineer
Somerset, NJ · On-site
Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and ... We are seeking a motivated and innovative R&D Engineer to join our research and development team.
Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
$114K - $157K/yr
D. graduate in integrated optics silicon photonics, electrical engineering, or applied physics. * 5 years of industry experience working in silicon photonics, integrated optics or relevant fields.
Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
$114K - $157K/yr
D. graduate in integrated optics silicon photonics, electrical engineering, or applied physics. * 5 years of industry experience working in silicon photonics, integrated optics or relevant fields.
Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer
Florham Park, NJ · On-site
$109K - $144K/yr
Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: None Employee Type: Regular ... Our other optical technology can also help scientists discover biohazards; support intelligence ...
Senior Opto-Mechanical Engineer
Florham Park, NJ · On-site
$109K - $144K/yr
Engineering Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: None Employee Type: Regular ... Our other optical technology can also help scientists discover biohazards; support intelligence ...
Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
$114K - $157K/yr
D. graduate in integrated optics silicon photonics, electrical engineering, or applied physics. * 5 years of industry experience working in silicon photonics, integrated optics or relevant fields.
Sr. Silicon Photonics Design Engineer
$114K - $157K/yr
D. graduate in integrated optics silicon photonics, electrical engineering, or applied physics. * 5 years of industry experience working in silicon photonics, integrated optics or relevant fields.
Optical System Architect
New Providence, NJ · On-site
$117K - $188K/yr
Proficiency in Python programming * Ability to synthesize complex technical findings into clear communication Nice to haves: * PhD in Optics/Photonics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering
Optical System Architect
New Providence, NJ · On-site
$117K - $188K/yr
Proficiency in Python programming * Ability to synthesize complex technical findings into clear communication Nice to haves: * PhD in Optics/Photonics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering
Optical System Architect
$117K - $188K/yr
Proficiency in Python programming * Ability to synthesize complex technical findings into clear communication Nice to haves: * PhD in Optics/Photonics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering
Optical System Architect
$117K - $188K/yr
Proficiency in Python programming * Ability to synthesize complex technical findings into clear communication Nice to haves: * PhD in Optics/Photonics, Physics, or Electrical Engineering
Optical Manager
Jackson Heights, NY · On-site
$70K - $85K/yr
Paid time off We are seeking an experienced and customer-focused Optical Manager to lead our optical team. The ideal candidate will oversee daily operations, ensure exceptional patient and customer ...
Quick apply
Optical Manager
Jackson Heights, NY · On-site
$70K - $85K/yr
Paid time off We are seeking an experienced and customer-focused Optical Manager to lead our optical team. The ideal candidate will oversee daily operations, ensure exceptional patient and customer ...
D. graduate in integrated optics silicon photonics, electrical engineering, or applied physics. * 5 years of industry experience working in silicon photonics, integrated optics or relevant fields.
D. graduate in integrated optics silicon photonics, electrical engineering, or applied physics. * 5 years of industry experience working in silicon photonics, integrated optics or relevant fields.
Optical Engineer information
See New York salary details
$90.8K - $99.3K
0% of jobs
$99.3K - $107.8K
0% of jobs
$107.8K - $116.3K
0% of jobs
$116.3K - $124.8K
0% of jobs
$124.8K - $133.3K
0% of jobs
$138.9K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$133.3K - $141.8K
38% of jobs
The median wage is $145.7K / yr.
$141.8K - $150.3K
26% of jobs
$150.3K - $158.8K
0% of jobs
$158.8K - $167.3K
0% of jobs
$167.3K - $175.8K
0% of jobs
$178.5K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$175.8K - $184.3K
36% of jobs
$90.8K
$157.1K
$184.3K
How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?
What is the difference between Optical Engineer vs Optical Technician?
| Aspect | Optical Engineer | Optical Technician |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Bachelor's or higher in optical engineering, physics, or related field | Associate's degree or technical certification in optics or related field |
| Work Environment | Design, development, and testing of optical systems in labs or R&D settings | Assembly, alignment, and maintenance of optical equipment in manufacturing or labs |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Research institutions, tech companies, aerospace, defense | Manufacturers, 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?
What are some typical challenges optical engineers face when working on new product development?
What does an optical engineer do?
Are optical engineers in high demand?
What do optical engineers work on?

Full-time
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO
Re-posted 15 days ago
Keysight Technologies rating
8.1
Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz
49th of 156 rated electronics manufacturers
Job description
Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.
Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.
You Are:You are a visionary and technically savvy product leader with a deep understanding of optical and electro-optical systems. With a background in physics, electrical engineering, optics, or optical engineering, you have hands-on experience designing and manufacturing electro-optical devices and thrive at the intersection of technology and market needs. You are passionate about translating complex customer requirements into actionable product feature plans for R&D and excel at collaborating with cross-functional teams, including software developers, marketing, and sales. Your knowledge of EM solver software (including FDTD, RCWA, and beam propagation tools) is complemented by your ability to grasp emerging trends in AI, solid modeling, and photonics.
You are comfortable engaging with customers, gathering feedback, and participating in industry events to keep your finger on the pulse of market evolution. You are equally adept at crafting technical marketing materials and supporting the sales process as you are at guiding agile software development cycles. Your communication skills are top-notch, enabling you to bridge the gap between technical and non-technical audiences, and you thrive in a fast-paced, global environment. Travel excites you as an opportunity to build relationships and champion Keysight’s optical solutions worldwide. Your curiosity, adaptability, and drive for continuous learning make you a valued team member and a catalyst for innovation.
Responsibilities
- Co-author and review technical marketing materials, including product descriptions, competitive analyses, ads, white papers, and web content for the Optical Design Engineering team.
- Participate in industry events and conferences to represent Keysight and stay current with optical technology trends.
- Engage in strategic product planning, requirements generation, and roadmap development in close collaboration with R&D teams.
- Support agile software development activities, including planning meetings, bug triage, test prioritization, and feature acceptance testing.
- Manage alpha and beta programs by recruiting users, collecting feedback, and synthesizing results to shape future product releases.
- Work with external partners—such as glass manufacturers, model providers, and embedded catalog vendors—to enhance product capabilities.
- Analyze and validate product packaging and pricing through customer feedback and competitive intelligence.
- Support sales, distributors, and customer engagements through on-site visits, tradeshows, user group meetings, and technical presentations.
- Contribute to professional development by attending technical sessions, taking relevant courses, and building strong team relationships.
- Drive the evolution of Keysight’s optical design software portfolio, ensuring alignment with industry needs and technological advancements.
- Empower customers to innovate in areas such as sensors, transceivers, lasers and photonic integrated circuits by delivering best-in-class design solutions.
- Enhance Keysight’s market leadership through effective product positioning, compelling marketing, and robust customer engagement.
- Accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge simulation and modeling tools within the photonics and optics community.
- Facilitate seamless collaboration between R&D, sales, and marketing, leading to successful product launches and customer satisfaction.
- Strengthen Keysight’s global presence by representing the company at key industry events and building strategic partnerships.
- Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the Optical Design Engineering team.
Qualifications
- BS, MS, or PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optics, Optical Engineering, or a related discipline with emphasis on electro-optics.
- Proven experience using EM solver software (e.g., FDTD, RCWA, diffraction-based, beam propagation tools) for EO device design.
- Background as an optical, electrical, or systems engineer in the design and manufacture of electro-optical devices (sensors, transceivers, lasers, PICs, etc.).
- Demonstrated ability to translate customer needs into product features and specifications.
- Hands-on experience collaborating with software development teams to define and communicate product requirements and use cases.
- Familiarity with AI systems, solid modeling, and photonics tools is a plus.
- Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally for customer engagement, tradeshows, and team meetings.
- Excellent communicator—able to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional, multicultural environments.
- Strategic thinker with a customer-centric mindset and strong analytical skills.
- Resourceful, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous professional growth.
- Comfortable networking and building relationships across industry and academia.
You’ll join the Optical Design Engineering (ODE) team, a dynamic team of physicists, engineers, product managers, and software developers dedicated to advancing the state-of-the-art in photonics and optical design. The team’s core mission is to deliver innovative simulation and modeling tools that empower engineers and researchers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in optical technology. Collaboration, learning, and customer focus are at the heart of everything we do.
The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education and skills.
California pay range: MIN $145,970 - MAX $243,280
Note:
This role is eligible for our Keysight Results Bonus Program
US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision
- Health Savings Account
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life, Accident, Disability insurance
- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
- 401(k) Plan
- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
- Paid Family Leave
- Discounts, Perks
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption Assistance
- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
Careers Privacy Statement
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.
- BS, MS, or PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Optics, Optical Engineering, or a related discipline with emphasis on electro-optics.
- Proven experience using EM solver software (e.g., FDTD, RCWA, diffraction-based, beam propagation tools) for EO device design.
- Background as an optical, electrical, or systems engineer in the design and manufacture of electro-optical devices (sensors, transceivers, lasers, PICs, etc.).
- Demonstrated ability to translate customer needs into product features and specifications.
- Hands-on experience collaborating with software development teams to define and communicate product requirements and use cases.
- Familiarity with AI systems, solid modeling, and photonics tools is a plus.
- Willingness to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally for customer engagement, tradeshows, and team meetings.
- Excellent communicator—able to convey complex technical concepts to diverse audiences.
- Collaborative team player who thrives in cross-functional, multicultural environments.
- Strategic thinker with a customer-centric mindset and strong analytical skills.
- Resourceful, self-motivated, and able to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
- Curious, adaptable, and committed to continuous professional growth.
- Comfortable networking and building relationships across industry and academia.
You’ll join the Optical Design Engineering (ODE) team, a dynamic team of physicists, engineers, product managers, and software developers dedicated to advancing the state-of-the-art in photonics and optical design. The team’s core mission is to deliver innovative simulation and modeling tools that empower engineers and researchers to push the boundaries of what’s possible in optical technology. Collaboration, learning, and customer focus are at the heart of everything we do.
The level of role will be based on applicable experience, education and skills.
California pay range: MIN $145,970 - MAX $243,280
Note:
This role is eligible for our Keysight Results Bonus Program
US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:
- Medical, dental and vision
- Health Savings Account
- Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
- Life, Accident, Disability insurance
- Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
- 401(k) Plan
- Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
- Paid Family Leave
- Discounts, Perks
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Adoption Assistance
- ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
Careers Privacy Statement
Keysight Technologies Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other protected categories under all applicable laws.
What Keysight Technologies employees say
Pay
Benefits
Hours and flexibility
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About Keysight Technologies
Sourced by ZipRecruiter
Industry
Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing
Company size
10,000+ Employees
Headquarters location
Santa Rosa, CA, US
Year founded
1937