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Optical Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Warby Parker

Optical Supervisor - Hilldale

Madison, WI · On-site

Warby Parker is searching for an Optical Supervisor to join our growing team of in-house optical professionals. In this role, you'll rely on your optical prowess, friendly demeanor, and product ...

SEE Eyewear

Optical Stylist, Part-Time

Madison, WI · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

OPTICAL STYLIST SEE Eyewear is addicted to uncovering hidden gems--and not just within our product assortment. We believe that finding the perfect frames starts with finding the perfect people. At ...

SEE Eyewear

Optical Stylist, Part-Time

Madison, WI · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Optical Stylist SEE Eyewear is addicted to uncovering hidden gems--and not just within our product assortment. We believe that finding the perfect frames starts with finding the perfect people. At ...

TRC Companies, Inc.

Transmission Engineer III

Madison, WI · On-site

$93K - $149K/yr

With transmission line experience of up to 500kV and ongoing fiber-optic communication projects ... Will function as a Transmission Engineer on assigned projects of varying complexity. The position ...

Envista

System Architect

Madison, WI · On-site

$244K/yr

Bachelor's degree in a technical field (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or similar). * 15 ...

Envista Holdings Corporation

System Architect

Madison, WI

$244K/yr

Bachelor's degree in a technical field (e.g., Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Biomedical Engineering, or similar). * 15 ...

Hoyos Consulting LLC

Senior Network Engineer

Madison, WI

$104K - $143K/yr

Hoyos Consulting LLC is searching for a senior to mid-level Network Engineer to join our team, as ... Plan/implement customer driven projects (network consulting, wireless deployments, optical networks)

Keplr Vision

Optician II

Madison, WI · On-site

$17 - $23/hr

We are looking for someone who has a few years of optical experience! Start your Career in Vision Care today! What You'll Do * Help patients choose frames and lenses that fit their needs and style ...

Keplr Vision

Optician II

Madison, WI · On-site

$17 - $23/hr

We are looking for someone who has a few years of optical experience! Start your Career in Vision Care today! What You'll Do * Help patients choose frames and lenses that fit their needs and style ...

UW Health

Optician

Middleton, WI · On-site

$17.75 - $22.75/hr

Optical lab training and/or optometric technician experience Preferred * Contact lens training or experience Preferred Licenses & Certifications: * Obtain American Board of Opticianry (ABO ...

UW Health

Optician

Madison, WI · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Optical lab training and/or optometric technician experience Preferred * Contact lens training or experience Preferred Licenses & Certifications * Obtain American Board of Opticianry (ABO ...

UW Health

Optician

Madison, WI · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Optical lab training and/or optometric technician experience Preferred * Contact lens training or experience Preferred Licenses & Certifications * Obtain American Board of Opticianry (ABO ...

UWHealth

Optician

Madison, WI · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

... Optical lab training and/or optometric technician experience Preferred Contact lens training or experience Preferred Licenses & Certifications Obtain American Board of Opticianry (ABO) Certification ...

UW Health

Optician

Madison, WI · On-site

$21.70 - $32.55/hr

... Optical lab training and/or optometric technician experience Preferred • Contact lens training or experience Preferred Licenses & Certifications • Obtain American Board of Opticianry (ABO ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsOptical Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI

Optical Engineer information

See Madison, WI salary details

$83.6K

$144.7K

$169.8K

How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical engineer in Madison, WI is $144,728.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $130,000.00 and $168,300.00 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 Madison, WI?

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Madison, WI are:

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

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The top searched job categories for Optical Engineer jobs in Madison, WI are:

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Cities near Madison, WI with the most Optical Engineer job openings:

Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Engineer job openings in Madison, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 82% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $144,728 per year, or $69.6 per hour.

Optical Product Development Engineer - Spectroscopy Instruments

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Madison, WI • On-site

Other

Medical, Vision, Life

Posted 17 days ago

Thermo Fisher Scientific rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 426 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

199th of 540 rated manufacturers

Job description

Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Laboratory Setting, Office
Job Description
LOCATION: This is a fully onsite position based at our Madison, WI site. Unfortunately, relocation assistance is NOT provided.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screen.
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you'll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while advancing solutions to some of the world's toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
The Analytical Instruments Group (AIG) at Thermo Fisher Scientific provides a broad portfolio of instruments, software, and services that support a wide range of laboratory, production, and field applications. Our solutions are used by customers across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, government, environmental, and industrial markets to advance research, improve productivity, and drive innovation. At the Madison, Wisconsin site, our teams design and manufacture advanced spectroscopy instrumentation used by scientists around the world for research, materials science, energy, and industrial applications.
We are seeking a hands-on Optical Product Development Engineer to help design, build, test, and improve optical systems for FTIR, NIR, and Raman spectroscopy instruments.
This role is ideal for an engineer with a strong foundation in optics who enjoys working in the lab, building prototypes, troubleshooting real hardware, and collaborating across disciplines to turn optical concepts into manufacturable products. The successful candidate should bring a solid technical foundation, hands-on engineering mindset, and curiosity to continue developing advanced optical design skills while contributing directly to product development.
This is a product-focused role, not a purely theoretical modeling role. The engineer will work across optical design, prototyping, alignment, testing, system integration, and transfer to manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop optical subsystems for spectroscopy instruments, including illumination, collection, imaging, sensing, laser, fiber-coupled, or interferometric optical systems
  • Translate product and performance requirements into practical optical designs, prototypes, and testable hardware
  • Build, align, and evaluate optical prototypes in the lab
  • Use optical modeling and simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V, LightTools, or similar tools to support design decisions
  • Perform optical testing, data analysis, and performance characterization
  • Troubleshoot optical, mechanical, electrical, and system-level issues during development and production
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, firmware, systems, manufacturing, and service teams
  • Support optical tolerance analysis, error budgeting, alignment strategies, and performance optimization
  • Develop and execute test plans to verify optical and instrument-level performance
  • Iterate designs based on experimental data, manufacturability, reliability, cost, and performance tradeoffs
  • Support design transfer to manufacturing, including alignment procedures, test methods, yield improvement, and root-cause analysis
  • Work with vendors and suppliers on optical components, coatings, assemblies, and subsystems
  • Contribute to design reviews, technical documentation, and product development milestones
  • Mentor junior engineers or technicians as appropriate

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of experience, or Master's degree plus 3 years experience in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • Experience building, aligning, testing, or troubleshooting optical systems in a laboratory or product development environment
  • Ability to analyze experimental data and use results to improve hardware performance
  • Familiarity with optical design or simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V, LightTools, FRED, or similar tools
  • Comfortable working with laboratory equipment such as optical benches, alignment tools, power meters, spectrometers, interferometers, cameras, detectors, oscilloscopes, or data acquisition systems
  • Practical problem-solving mindset with the ability to debug complex hardware and system-level issues
  • Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams across optical, mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality disciplines
  • Programming or scripting experience in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools for data analysis, automation, or modeling
  • Strong communication skills and ability to document designs, test results, trade studies, and technical decisions

Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong foundation in optical principles, including geometrical optics, diffraction, polarization, imaging, radiometry, and basic wave optics
  • Experience developing optical systems for commercial instruments, analytical instruments, medical devices, life science tools, aerospace systems, defense systems, or other complex hardware products
  • Experience with spectroscopy systems such as FTIR, NIR, Raman, UV-Vis, fluorescence, or related optical measurement technologies
  • Understanding of opto-mechanical design, alignment sensitivity, thermal effects, vibration, stray light, and optical contamination
  • Familiarity with optical tolerancing, metrology, fabrication processes, coatings, and supplier capabilities
  • Experience supporting manufacturing transfer, production troubleshooting, yield improvement, or service investigations
  • Interest in using AI, machine learning, or generative AI tools to improve data analysis, automation, modeling, or engineering productivity

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate has a solid optics foundation and enjoys turning ideas into working hardware. They are comfortable moving between analysis, simulation, hands-on lab work, prototype builds, data analysis, and cross-functional problem solving. They are curious, practical, and eager to grow into a stronger optical designer while helping develop real products that can be manufactured, tested, and supported in the field.

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