ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Optical Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

PDS Optical

Licensed Optician

Jackson, TN · On-site

$24 - $26/hr

We have Optical Laboratories in Louisville, KY and Fort Lauderdale, FL and manage many optical stores across the US and Puerto Rico. We take great pride in our product and are especially thankful to ...

Stanton Optical

Licensed Optician

Knoxville, TN · On-site

At Stanton Optical, our Licensed Opticians are charged with creating a superior customer experience by teaching patients and facilitating the dispense process. Our Licensed Opticians have a genuine ...

Stanton Optical

Licensed Optician

Knoxville, TN · On-site

At Stanton Optical, our Licensed Opticians are charged with creating a superior customer experience by teaching patients and facilitating the dispense process. Our Licensed Opticians have a genuine ...

Stanton Optical

Licensed Optician

Knoxville, TN

At Stanton Optical, our Licensed Opticians are charged with creating a superior customer experience by teaching patients and facilitating the dispense process. Our Licensed Opticians have a genuine ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsOptical Engineer JobsOptical Engineer Jobs in Tennessee

Optical Engineer information

See Tennessee salary details

$75.3K

$130.3K

$152.9K

How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical engineer in Tennessee is $130,344.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $117,100.00 and $151,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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.

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 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.

Are optical engineers in high demand?

Optical engineers are in high demand due to advancements in fields like telecommunications, medical devices, and defense technology. They often require strong skills in optics, laser systems, and CAD software, with employment opportunities growing as industries increasingly rely on optical technologies.

How much do optical engineers make?

Optical engineers in California typically earn between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and specific industry. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in optics design, laser systems, or photonics may offer higher salaries and additional benefits.
More about Optical Engineer jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What are popular job titles related to Optical Engineer jobs in Tennessee?

For Optical Engineer jobs in Tennessee, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical Engineer jobs in Tennessee look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Engineer jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Optical Engineer job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Optical Engineer jobs in TN?

For Optical Engineer jobs in TN, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Engineer job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $130,344 per year, or $62.7 per hour.

Principle Optical Engineer & Electro-Optical Lead - Directed Energy

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Knoxville, TN • On-site

$112K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 12 days ago

Huntington Ingalls Industries rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 76,358 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Requisition Number: 29019
Required Travel: 0 - 10%
Employment Type: Full Time/Salaried/Exempt
Anticipated Salary Range: $112,057.00 - $220,000.00
Security Clearance: Ability to Obtain
Level of Experience: Senior
This opportunity resides with Warfare Systems (WS), a business group within HII's Mission Technologies division. Warfare Systems comprises cyber and mission IT; electronic warfare; and C5ISR systems.
HII works within our nation's intelligence and cyber operations communities to defend our interests in cyberspace and anticipate emerging threats. Our capabilities in cybersecurity, network architecture, reverse engineering, software and hardware development uniquely enable us to support sensitive missions for the U.S. military and federal agency partners.
Leadership at HII - Mission Technologies
HII's Leadership Capability Framework defines the standard of excellence expected of all leaders across Mission Technologies. Leaders are accountable for modeling these capabilities and building them within their teams:
  • Know & Grow Your People - Develop talent, empower teams, and build an inclusive environment.
  • Build Relationships - Strengthen trust, collaboration, and cross-functional partnerships.
  • Take Ownership - Drive accountability, execution excellence, and results.
  • Customer First - Anticipate mission needs and deliver value to our partners.
  • Shape the Future - Inspire innovation and align work with strategic priorities.
  • Act with Urgency - Make informed decisions and move with purpose.

These capabilities define how leaders inspire teams, deliver results, and shape the future of Mission
Job Description
HII, Mission Technologies has an opportunity available for a Lead Electro-Optical Engineer located in Knoxville, TN.
The Lead Electro-Optical Engineer will lead and direct the design, development, and integration of advanced electro-optical and infrared (EO-IR) systems that support high-energy laser and high-power microwave directed energy platforms. This role ensures that optical designs-including beam control systems, optical assemblies, stray light mitigation, precision alignment, and laser propagation systems-translate into safe, functional, and production-ready hardware that meets stringent performance, reliability, and safety requirements.
The ideal candidate will excel at optical systems design and analysis, demonstrate leadership in collaborative multidisciplinary environments, and thrive when developing solutions with incomplete or evolving requirements typical of advanced defense programs.
Levei 4 - Principle Optical Engineer & Electro-Optical Lead - Directed Energy - $120,000 - $185,000
Level 5 - Principle Optical Engineer & Electro-Optical Lead - Directed Energy - $140,000 - $220,000
Essential Job Responsibilities
Design & Engineering Leadership
  • Lead optical systems design for beam control, laser delivery, optical assemblies, precision optical mounts, and EO-IR sensor integration critical to directed energy platforms.
  • Direct design efforts for high-power laser systems, beam steering mechanisms, stray light control, and thermal management of optical components.
  • Contribute to and influence overall product design for directed energy weapon systems.
  • Translate requirements into detailed optical designs using Zemax, Code V, or similar optical design software.
  • Perform and oversee optical analysis including ray tracing, stray light modeling, wavefront error analysis, thermal effects, and laser propagation.
  • Support and oversee fabrication, assembly, alignment, and testing of optical systems and prototypes.
  • Mentor and develop junior engineers, providing guidance on technical and professional growth.

Multidisciplinary Collaboration & Systems Integration
  • Lead collaboration with multidisciplinary teams (mechanical, electrical, systems engineering) to develop innovative solutions and influence product architecture.
  • Negotiate design characteristics among engineers, suppliers, customers, and program management.
  • Interface with manufacturing to optimize optical designs for fabrication and assembly.
  • Support fabrication, testing, and validation efforts to ensure systems meet performance requirements.

Risk Management & Problem Solving
  • Identify, articulate, and manage risks across optical, thermal, and alignment systems.
  • Solve complex engineering problems in fast-paced environments with evolving requirements.
  • Lead design reviews and DFMEA, serving as technical escalation point.
  • Investigate anomalies and perform Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) for optical system performance issues.

Technical Documentation & Configuration Leadership
  • Create and approve engineering drawings with GD&T, design documentation, and technical specifications for optical assemblies.
  • Lead configuration management and version control for optical designs.
  • Review and approve documentation from junior team members.
  • Develop test procedures to properly test and verify optical system requirements.

Stakeholder Communication & Program Leadership
  • Communicate effectively with government customers, leadership, and technical experts.
  • Manage relationships with vendors, partners, and stakeholders.
  • Drive continuous improvement in design quality, efficiency, and manufacturability.
  • Prepare requirements packages for Technical Review Board meetings.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Level 4 - 9 years relevant experience with Bachelors in related field; 7 years relevant experience with Masters in related field; 4 years relevant experience with PhD or Juris Doctorate in related field; or High School Diploma or equivalent and 13 years relevant experience.
  • Level 5 - 15 years relevant experience with Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related field; 13 years relevant experience with Master's degree in related field; OR 10 years relevant experience with PhD in related field.
  • High-level proficiency in optical design software (Zemax, Code V, or equivalent) for complex optical systems.
  • Extensive experience with high-power laser systems design, integration, and alignment.
  • Experience with stray light analysis and mitigation techniques.
  • Ability to translate requirements into tasks and completed optical designs.
  • Ability to perform fundamental optical analysis working from first principles.
  • Demonstrated technical leadership driving results in fast-paced, ambiguous environments.
  • Experience with requirements management and traceability (DOORS or equivalent).
  • Experience with fabrication, manufacturing methods, and hands-on optical prototyping.
  • Proven leadership mentoring and developing engineers across all levels.
  • Clearance: Ability to obtain and maintain a SECRET level security clearance.

Preferred Requirements
  • Advanced optical analysis experience including wavefront error budget analysis, thermal distortion modeling, and laser beam propagation.
  • Experience with EO-IR sensors, thermal imaging systems, and night vision systems.
  • Proficiency with MATLAB for optical modeling and data analysis.
  • Experience with Fourier transform spectroscopy and optical characterization techniques.
  • Deep thermal management expertise for high-power optical applications.
  • Experience with LIDAR or laser ranging systems.
  • Master's degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent certification.
  • Clearance: Active SECRET level security clearance.

The listed salary range for this role is intended as a good faith estimate based on the role's location, expectations, and responsibilities. When extending an offer, HII's Mission Technologies division takes a variety of factors into consideration which include, but are not limited to, the role's function and a candidate's education or training, work experience, and key skills.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to buildyourcareer@hii-co.com and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #3 for HII Mission Technologies.

Working at Huntington Ingalls Industries

About Huntington Ingalls Industries, in their own words

From Huntington Ingalls Industries

Our 44,000-strong team includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence and machine learning experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals. Recognized as one of America's top large employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Here you'll find a collaborative environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs that span our shipbuilding apprentice schools in Virginia and Mississippi to tuition reimbursement programs that support continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Our values of integrity, safety, respect, engagement, responsibility and performance are the foundation of HII's ethical culture that inspires employees to do the right thing each day, regardless of the circumstances.

What Huntington Ingalls Industries employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apply