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Optical Engineer Jobs in Cleveland, OH (NOW HIRING)

Folio Photonics

Optical Engineer - Solon

Solon, OH · On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Solon, Ohio Optical Engineer I Location: Folio Photonics; Solon, OH -- on-site Job Type: Full time Reports to: Head of Optical Engineering COMPANY DESCRIPTION Folio Photonics is a dynamic startup ...

New

Kestrel Vision

Applications Engineer I

Solon, OH · On-site

As an Application Engineer, you will be responsible for conceptualizing, prototyping, testing, and validating electro-optical and electromechanical products and subsystems used in high-speed ...

Kestrel Vision

Applications Engineer I

Solon, OH · On-site

As an Application Engineer, you will be responsible for conceptualizing, prototyping, testing, and validating electro-optical and electromechanical products and subsystems used in high-speed ...

SEE Eyewear

Optical Stylist

Shaker Heights, OH · On-site

$16.50 - $21.50/hr

Licensed Opticians will assist clients and patients with their optical needs-leveraging knowledge of current eyewear trends, and optical knowledge to provide an exemplary experience to every SEE ...

Halma plc

Manufacturing Engineer

Mentor, OH · On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Collaborate with optical design engineers to ensure manufacturability of optical lenses and assemblies* Collaborate with cross-functional teams on quality and long-term reliability* Lead key ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsOptical Engineer Jobs in Cleveland, OH

Optical Engineer information

See Cleveland, OH salary details

$80.5K

$139.3K

$163.5K

How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical engineer in Cleveland, OH is $139,321.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,100.00 and $162,000.00 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 Cleveland, OH?

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Cleveland, OH are:

What are popular job titles related to Optical Engineer jobs in Cleveland, OH?

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

What job categories do people searching Optical Engineer jobs in Cleveland, OH look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Engineer jobs in Cleveland, OH are:

What cities near Cleveland, OH are hiring for Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities near Cleveland, OH with the most Optical Engineer job openings:

Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Engineer job openings in Cleveland, OH 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 $139,321 per year, or $67 per hour.

Optical Engineer - Solon

Folio Photonics

Solon, OH • On-site

$70 - $90/hr

Other

Posted yesterday

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Job description

Location: Solon, Ohio

Optical Engineer I

Location: Folio Photonics; Solon, OH — on-siteJob Type: Full timeReports to: Head of Optical Engineering

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Folio Photonics is a dynamic startup company focused on developing a multi-terabyte multilayer fluorescent optical disc with a decades-long shelf life, a small environmental footprint, and low total cost of ownership. This technology represents a significant and much-needed breakthrough for the archival and nearline data storage industry. Our engineering team possesses the diverse range of skills needed to bring the optical media, the optical pickup, and the optical disc drive to market — chemistry, physics, materials and polymer science, and optical, mechanical, computer, electronic, firmware, and software engineering. Our team is composed of talented individuals who thrive in a high-tech, interdisciplinary environment.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Optical Engineer I supports development of the optical pickup unit (OPU) that reads and writes data to our multilayer optical discs, and of the media that the OPU has to address. You will be given well-defined analysis, modeling, and laboratory tasks, and your work will be reviewed as you build depth. Within your first year, we expect you to be independently owning component-level analyses and measurements. You will have impactful scope and influence to a real product development program.

JOB DUTIES
  • Build, run, and extend optical models in Zemax and MATLAB or Python to support OPU and media development
  • Interpret laboratory and spinstand measurement data; produce reports that inform engineering decisions
  • Set up, align, and operate optical test benches; take systematic, reproducible, well-logged data
  • Support component characterization and incoming inspection of lenses, coatings, sources, and detectors
  • Run optical tolerance and sensitivity analyses
  • Support optical, opto-mechanical, and system-level integration and test activities
  • Document work in written test reports and analysis memos, present results to the engineering teams and uplevel to leadership
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
  • BS, MS, Ph.D., in Optical Engineering, Optical Sciences, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field; 0–2 years of professional experience
  • Solid command of geometrical and physical optics: aberrations, diffraction, NA and depth of focus, interference, and polarization. You can work these problems, not just define them.
  • Experience with optical design software (Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, or equivalent): you can build a sequential model from a prescription and run standard analyses
  • Proficiency in MATLAB or Python for modeling and data reduction
  • Demonstrated hands-on optical laboratory experience at the bench: aligning multi-element optical paths, working with lasers, lenses, mirrors, coatings, detectors, and opto-mechanical mounts
  • Familiarity with optical instrumentation — some subset of interferometers, wavefront sensors, beam profilers, spectrometers, autocollimators, alignment telescopes, microscopes, and power meters
  • AI-augmented engineering practice. Fluent use of AI assistants and coding copilots as everyday working tools — code generation and debugging, data reduction, literature and patent search, and technical drafting. Equally important: you can critically evaluate AI output, recognize when it is confidently wrong, and validate it against analytic limits, known results, or measurement before it leaves your hands.
  • Sound judgment about confidentiality is required — Folio’s optical designs, supplier specifications, and media formulations are proprietary
  • Clear technical writing, and the professional honesty to report a result you do not like
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
  • Thin-film interference and transfer-matrix modeling of multilayer stacks
  • Statistical methods applied to engineering problems: Monte Carlo, design of experiments, measurement uncertainty
  • Experience with tolerance analysis in Zemax or Code V
  • Experience with wave-based optics modeling techniques - RCWA, FDTD
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