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Optical Engineer Jobs in Provo, UT (NOW HIRING)

Innovation Engineer Syndicate Riverton Full-time Exempt Shift: Monday-Friday Company Overview ... Optics and photonics experience * Bonus Differentiators * Competition shooting experience (USPSA, 3 ...

Journeyman Fiber Technician

Heber, UT

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The majority of our fiber work involves OPGW (Optical Ground Wire) fiber splicing, testing, and ... Communicate directly with customers, project managers, engineers, inspectors, and other contractors

Civil Engineer

Provo, UT · On-site

$125K/yr

You will serve as a Civil Engineer with Bureau of Reclamation, specializing in portfolio risk ... optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics. . You must submit transcripts. -OR- B.

Navigation/IMU Engineer II

Provo, UT

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The engineer shall have a basic understanding of serial interfaces, hardware integration and test ... Experience with Fiber Optic gyros, Ring Laser Gyros and MEMs gyros. * Experience with mechanical ...

Data collection, simulation, and on silicon verification of Optical Proximity Correction (OPC ... Engineer your future. We empower our employees to truly own their career and development. Come ...

Optician/Optometric Technician

Draper, UT · On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

  • Vision

  • PTO

Strong multi-tasking abilities Customer service oriented Ability to work independently and as part of a team ABO certification and optical experience not required, but is a plus Please note that this ...

Strong multi-tasking abilities Customer service oriented Ability to work independently and as part of a team ABO certification and optical experience not required, but is a plus Please note that this ...

Senior Navigation/IMU Engineer

Provo, UT

$98K - $135K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

The engineer shall have a basic understanding of serial interfaces, hardware integration and test ... Experience with Fiber Optic gyros, Ring Laser Gyros and MEMs gyros. * Experience with mechanical ...

Optician/Optometric Technician

Draper, UT · On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

  • Vision

  • PTO

Strong multi-tasking abilities Customer service oriented Ability to work independently and as part of a team ABO certification and optical experience not required, but is a plus Please note that this ...

Optician

Park City, UT · On-site

$18 - $23.25/hr

Attends continuing education courses to keep informed of new technology and advances in the optical industry. Knowledge / Skills / Abilities * Ability to perform the essential functions of the job as ...

Optician/Optometric Technician

Draper, UT · On-site

$16.25 - $20.75/hr

  • Vision

  • PTO

Strong multi-tasking abilities Customer service oriented Ability to work independently and as part of a team ABO certification and optical experience not required, but is a plus Please note that this ...

Showing results 41-60

Optical Engineer information

See Provo, UT salary details

$78.5K

$135.8K

$159.4K

How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical engineer in Provo, UT is $135,850.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $122,000.00 and $158,000.00 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.

What cities near Provo, UT are hiring for Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities near Provo, UT with the most Optical Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Optical Engineer job openings in Provo, UT as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $135,850 per year, or $65.3 per hour.

Assistant Forest Engineer

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)

South Jordan, UT • On-site

$89K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago


USDA Forest Service rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 120 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

158th of 292 rated public sector bodies


Job description

This announcement is being advertised as a Forest Service National Hiring effort to fill multiple vacancies. Positions may be filled at one or more of the duty locations included in this announcement. Final determination of the duty location will be made at the time of the job offer.
For additional information about the duties of this position, please contact Kelly Orr at kelly.orr@usda.gov.Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. Transcripts must be provided for qualifications based on education. Provide course descriptions as necessary.
Basic Requirement:
GS-0810 Series
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by ABET; or (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of education and experience -- college-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
  1. Professional registration or licensure -- Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT)1, or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
  2. Written Test -- Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico.
  3. Specified academic courses -- Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
  4. Related curriculum -- Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a bachelor's degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education in the amounts listed below.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
For the GS-12 level: Applicants must have one year specialized experience equivalent to the GS-11 in the Federal service. Specialized experience is defined as two (2) or more of the following:
  • Performed technical calculations and identified the most economical and efficient procedures for civil engineering projects;
  • Prepared completed and detailed designs, drawings, and specifications for civil engineering projects;
  • Performed engineering project management or asset management; and/or
  • Evaluated engineering plans or documents prepared by others prior to start of construction and recommended corrective actions.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.Education:There is no substitution of education for specialized experience.Employment Type: OTHER

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