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Optical Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Ramona

Computational Imaging Engineer

Durham, NC · On-site

$107K - $127K/yr

Required : • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical ... Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience). • 2+ years of experience. • Strong ...

eyecarecenter

Optical Technician / Optician

Cary, NC

$16 - $20.50/hr

SUMMARY An Optical Technician will achieve a world class Total Patient Experience that maximizes retail sales while also supporting the patients' medical needs. This team member is trained to ...

eyecarecenter

Optical Technician / Optician

Cary, NC · On-site

$16 - $20.50/hr

SUMMARY An Optical Technician will achieve a world class Total Patient Experience that maximizes retail sales while also supporting the patients' medical needs. This team member is trained to ...

Amphenol TCS

Development Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Development Engineer Location: Raleigh, NC Amphenol Communications Solutions (ACS), a division of ... Optics, and Commercial electronics markets. Amphenol Corporation is one of the world's largest ...

Walmart

Optical Center Manager

Garner, NC · On-site

$38.50 - $50/hr

... Optical equipment Upholds the Companys Open Door Policy: by meeting with Associates and listening to concerns researching issues reviewing Company policies and procedures and suggesting resolution ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsOptical Engineer JobsOptical Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Optical Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$80.7K

$139.6K

$163.8K

How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical engineer in Raleigh, NC is $139,593.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,400.00 and $162,300.00 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, and why are they important?

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.
More about Optical Engineer jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What are popular job titles related to Optical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC? For Optical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Optical Engineer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Optical Engineer job openings:
Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 69% Full Time, 21% Part Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,593 per year, or $67.1 per hour.
Computational Imaging Engineer

Computational Imaging Engineer

Ramona

Durham, NC • On-site

$107K - $127K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

Job Summary:
Ramona is reimagining microscopy for modern biology. They are seeking a Computational Imaging Engineer to develop calibration procedures and improve image quality for their Multi-Camera Array Microscope platform.
Responsibilities:
• Develop rigorous, systematic, and mathematically grounded calibration procedures for multi-axis, multi-magnification optical instruments.
• Characterize sensor and image noise sources and build models to quantify and correct for them.
• Model and correct optical and geometric image deformations introduced by the imaging system.
• Design and implement high-performance deconvolution algorithms to recover image detail across a range of numerical apertures.
• Develop methods for background estimation, source characterization, and background subtraction in microscopy images.
• Characterize how motion-system accuracy and mechanical vibration affect image formation, and develop approaches to mitigate their impact.
• Characterize illumination sources and their contribution to image quality, and develop correction strategies.
• Characterize fluorescence imaging performance — including excitation/emission behavior, photobleaching, spectral crosstalk, and signal-to-background ratio — across magnifications and sample types, as a critical input to system calibration.
• Investigate the optical properties of diverse sample materials and assess their variability, building this understanding into the system's calibration and analysis pipelines.
• Translate optical systems models and computer vision techniques into robust, production-ready software that integrates with the broader imaging platform.
• Collaborate closely with optics, mechatronics, and software engineers to validate calibration approaches against real instrument behavior.
• Document calibration methodologies, models, and validation procedures for internal and external use.
• Evaluate and adopt emerging techniques in computational imaging, optical systems modeling, and computer vision to improve calibration accuracy and scalability.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• 2+ years of experience.
• Strong foundation in the mathematics and physics underlying image formation, including Fourier optics, signal processing, and linear algebra.
• Hands-on experience with image deconvolution, deblurring, or related inverse-problem techniques.
• Experience characterizing noise, background, or illumination effects in optical or imaging systems.
• Experience with geometric or optical calibration of imaging or measurement systems.
• Strong proficiency in Python (or similar) for scientific computing and image processing.
• Familiarity with how mechanical accuracy, vibration, or motion-system behavior affects image quality.
• Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and scientific curiosity.
• Ability to communicate clearly and collaborate across disciplines spanning optics, mechatronics, and software.
• Experience with computer vision techniques relevant to image registration, restoration, or quantitative analysis.
Preferred:
• Master's or Ph.D. degree in Optics, Physics, or a closely related field.
• 5+ years of experience.
• Experience with optical systems modeling or simulation tools.
• Experience working on multi-axis or multi-magnification imaging instruments.
Company:
Ramona develops high-throughput microscopy tools to unlock previously impossible experiments within the modern biology lab. Founded in 2018, the company is headquartered in Durham, USA, with a team of 11-50 employees. The company is currently Early Stage.

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