1

Optical Engineer Jobs in Bothell, WA (NOW HIRING)

Optical Network Dev Engineer, DCNE

Seattle, WA · On-site

$146K - $190K/yr

Key job responsibilities As an Optical Network Development Engineer working within AWS Infrastructure you will: Build, Operate and rollout our global DWDM networks Drive scaling current DWDM designs ...

Optical Network Dev Engineer, DCNE

Seattle, WA · On-site

$146K - $190K/yr

Key job responsibilities As an Optical Network Development Engineer working within AWS Infrastructure you will: • Build, Operate and rollout our global DWDM networks • Drive scaling current DWDM ...

Key job responsibilities As an Optical Network Development Engineer working within AWS Infrastructure you will: Build, Operate and rollout our global DWDM networks Drive scaling current DWDM designs ...

Optical DWDM Expertise: Deep technical understanding and hands-on experience with the rollout of large DWDM networks, optical network technologies, and optical planning/modeling tools. Candidates ...

Senior Optical Research Engineer

Bothell, WA · On-site +1

$114K - $150K/yr

As an Senior Optical Research Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum computers to solve the world's most ...

As an Senior Optical Research Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum computers to solve the world's most ...

Showing results 41-60

Optical Engineer information

See Bothell, WA salary details

$94.3K

$163.2K

$191.5K

How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical engineer in Bothell, WA is $163,248.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $146,600.00 and $189,800.00 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.

What job categories do people searching Optical Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Engineer jobs in Bothell, WA are:

What cities near Bothell, WA are hiring for Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities near Bothell, WA with the most Optical Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Optical Engineer job openings in Bothell, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 70% Full Time, and 30% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $163,248 per year, or $78.5 per hour.

Optical Network Dev Engineer, DCNE

Amazon

Seattle, WA • On-site

$146K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,111 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers


Job description

AWS Infrastructure Services (AIS) owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we're the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on.

We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain - and we're looking for talented people who want to help.
You'll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You'll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you'll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion.
Amazon is looking to hire highly motivated Network Engineers to help design, deploy, operate and automate one of the worlds largest and most complex networks

With Amazon Web Services, our goal is to become "The Infrastructure Platform" to the world and our customers demand the highest quality and reliability for their services. We are expanding at a tremendous rate and our goal is to design, deploy and automate network delivery while maintaining the highest reliability for our customers. Our teams scale the existing network, design new topologies, deploy these topologies and also automate activities where possible.


Key job responsibilities
As an Optical Network Development Engineer working within AWS Infrastructure you will:
Build, Operate and rollout our global DWDM networks
Drive scaling current DWDM designs to meet the demand of our customers
Create processes that help operate and build our DWDM network
Work closely with other Networking departments on new designs
Ensure that the DWDM network adheres to the defined network standards
Review and implement changes on the DWDM network
Drive operational excellence projects to drive improvements in our DWDM network quality and reliability
Troubleshoot complex problems and develop innovative solutions day to day on our network.
Our ideal candidate is highly autonomous, possesses strong written and verbal communication skills, strong project management and time management skills and has a successful track record of troubleshooting complex network problems and has experience in automation and delivering innovative solutions. The desire and ability to work in a fast paced, collaborative environment is essential
A day in the life
Engineers in the InterDC Optical services team have a wide range of responsibilities. In terms of product development and delivery, it covers all activities related to hardware and software development, cross- platforms and software integration, and transition to production for both inhouse commodity and OEM optical platforms

From the lifecycle support perspective, includes day to day operations on-call, sustaining engineering, operational load automation and reduction, product and network security, network data integrity and authoritativeness, availability assurance (SRLG monitoring) and improvement (OLP, RFTS) and fiber infrastructure and vendor performance management. Our engineers not only make decisions on day-to-day work but they also own the long-term strategic view, they build strong partnership with customers to understand their immediate and future needs, their use cases and the things that we/they are not even thinking about so we make sure our solutions will fit into their needs. They bring perspective and context to influence the way we make technology and design choices, how we develop and deliver products that are right sized, fungible and future proof at the optimum cost per bit.

They understand the business impact of their recommendations and show good judgment in decision making as we consider technical trade-offs between the immediate short-term technology solutions, operational needs and the long-term business needs.
About the team
The InterDC Optical Services team is responsible for the development, delivery and lifecycle support of the optical products used to interconnect AWS Data Centers and PoPs (Point of presence), ensuring diversity of supply and continually lowering data transfer cost for customers. This product portfolio serves a broad customer base and is primarily used to transport Core (EC2 & Prod) and Border (Internet) traffic in and across all but a few AWS commercial and ADC regions globally. Our current network size is >10Pbps of inter data center traffic over >30k devices worldwide and our team is structured to create and evolve these products and solutions while providing highly available, secure and scalable transport for multiple customer fabrics globally.


What Amazon employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


Amazon logo

About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate, computer and electronic product manufacturing and software development

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US