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Optical Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

MLS Technologies

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Apex, NC · On-site

$80K - $105.70K/yr

... casings, optical windows, displays, buttons, ambient light shields, and biocompatible skin ... S. in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or a related field Eight or more years industry ...

Family Eyecare Center

Licensed Optician

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$20 - $30/hr

What You'll Do: - Lead, train, and inspire the optical team - Assist patients with frame selection, lens technology, and fittings - Oversee ordering, inventory, and vendor relationships - Maintain ...

Walmart

Optical Center Manager

Chapel Hill, NC

$34.50 - $46/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 ...

Walmart

Licensed Optical Manager

Raleigh, 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 ...

Walmart

Manager - Optical Center

Garner, NC

$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 ...

Walmart

Optical Center Manager

Raleigh, 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 ...

Walmart

Licensed Optical Manager

Garner, NC

$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 ...

Walmart

Licensed Optical Manager

Chapel Hill, NC

$34.50 - $46/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 ...

Walmart

Manager - Optical Center

Chapel Hill, NC

$34.50 - $46/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 ...

Walmart

Optical Center Manager

Garner, NC

$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 ...

Walmart

Manager - Optical Center

Raleigh, 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 ...

Team Fishel

Fiber Optic Cable Foreman

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$24.25 - $29/hr

Since 1936, we've been the Best Choice in utility engineering and construction. Safety is our top ... The primary purpose of the Fiber Optic Cable Foreman is to be responsible for the supervision and ...

CCI Systems, Inc.

Field Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

Come join our team of engineers and experts that guide our customers toward the right choices to ... Install/align/optimize HFC equipment including fiber optic nodes and related equipment. * Install ...

Eyemart Express

Licensed Optician NC

Raleigh, NC · On-site

One of the nation's TOP optical companies, Eyemart Express is seeking candidates with a current State License and an optical background for an optician position at one of our store locations. For ...

CCI Systems, Inc.

Field Engineer

Cary, NC · On-site

Come join our team of engineers and experts that guide our customers toward the right choices to ... Install/align/optimize HFC equipment including fiber optic nodes and related equipment. * Install ...

Eyemart Express

Licensed Optician NC

Raleigh, NC · On-site

One of the nation's TOP optical companies, Eyemart Express is seeking candidates with a current State License and an optical background for an optician position at one of our store locations. For ...

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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 May 30, 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 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 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.

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
Senior Mechanical Engineer

Senior Mechanical Engineer

MLS Technologies

Apex, NC • On-site

$80K - $105.70K/yr

Full-time

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Seeking an experienced mechanical engineer to work alongside our growing engineering and scientific team in its NC office. This person will lead a broad set of development objectives. This person will lead a team of mechanical engineers, will manage project requirements for our systems and its mechanical designs, and will track open issues with the hardware designs. The ideal candidate is an experienced professional looking to apply their skills toward optimizing system and app interoperability for our transformational capabilities. They work well in a fast-paced and high-performance team.
Lead prototyping of compact, wearable systems that involve electronic components, rigid-flex PCBs, batteries, RF protection, flexible and rigid system casings, optical windows, displays, buttons, ambient light shields, and biocompatible skin interfacing materials
Work with electrical engineers to integrate PCB components with flexible or rigid enclosure designs that conform to the human body
Coordinate task management among mechanical team members
Mentor junior and mid-level engineers and support hiring processes for the mechanical team
Design system protections for water ingress to depths hundreds of feet underwater and corrosion protection from salt spray and seawater
Identify and qualify domestic and international manufacturing sources for our systems with a focus on manufacturing for scale and commercialization
Check prototype and manufactured parts for accuracy to design intent and engineering tolerances
Translate user needs and functional requirement documents into specific design implementations
Design test fixtures, molds, manufacturing jigs, and related subsystems to build, test, and validate prototype systems using in-house 3D printed and molded components
Follow best practices for design controls and quality management systems including version control, configuration management, secure and compliant data storage and handling
Coordinate prototyping recipes and practices between engineering team and external manufacturing, material supply, and engineering vendors
Provide support to customers on-site and remotely for stage-gated device test milestones
Report to the Director of Engineering
Job Requirements
Minimum Security Clearance:
Confidential
Minimum Qualifications:
B.S. or M.S. in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or a related field
Eight or more years industry experience in design for wearable monitoring systems or medical devices
Significant capability with Solidworks for designing rigid or flexible enclosures, molds, test fixtures, and optical interfaces
Strong knowledge of safety, performance, and regulatory compliance requirements of medical devices, such as IEC 60601, ISO 10993, ISO 13485, ISO 14971, IEC 62366, and related FDA guidance
Experience in scaling up prototypes toward production
Experience with rapid prototyping processes, including creating fixtures, molds, and prototype subassemblies
Familiarity with Design for Manufacturing (DFM), Assembly (DFA), and Test (DFT) practices
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience designing waterproof and corrosion-resistant products
Design experience with systems interfacing with the human body
Experience working with medical-grade, skin-contacting adhesives, silicones, and foams
Experience with human factor / usability engineering
Experience developing and iterating on industrial design concepts for manufactured systems
Prior experience working with startups and with a local network

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