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Optical Engineer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA (NOW HIRING)

... engineering builds and design of experiments. Description A successful candidate needs to be ... TFT, LED, OLED, optical fundamentals, display system, etc. Strong analytical & critical thinking ...

Apple's display team is searching for a candidate on the optical simulation, design, and validation ... broad engineering background encompassing display technologies, optical simulation (LightTools ...

Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA

$79K - $102K/yr

The Manufacturing Engineer supports VIAVI's optics manufacturing team in developing, maintaining, and evolving advanced manufacturing processes for thin-film-based optical coatings. This role focuses ...

New

Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$79K - $102K/yr

The Manufacturing Engineer supports VIAVI's optics manufacturing team in developing, maintaining, and evolving advanced manufacturing processes for thin-film-based optical coatings. This role focuses ...

New

Manufacturing Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$68K - $127K/yr

The Manufacturing Engineer supports VIAVI's optics manufacturing team in developing, maintaining, and evolving advanced manufacturing processes for thin-film-based optical coatings. This role focuses ...

New

Apple's silicon engineering labs are where breakthrough ideas meet rigorous validation. As a Lab ... and optical systems - enabling the teams around you to gain confidence in results and push ...

R&D Software Engineer 37412257 * Hourly pay: $55/hr * Worksite: Leading electronic testing company ... Configure and utilize advanced optical and electronic test equipment, including time-domain ...

R&D Software Engineer 37412257 * Hourly pay: $55/hr * Worksite: Leading electronic testing company ... Configure and utilize advanced optical and electronic test equipment, including time-domain ...

Apple is looking for a world class module design engineer to lead the design, development and ... Hands-on experience with lab equipment for optical and electrical characterization Pay & Benefits ...

Apple is looking for a world class module design engineer to lead the design, development and ... Hands-on experience with lab equipment for optical and electrical characterization Pay & Benefits ...

... AF), optical image stabilization (OIS) and electronic image stabilization (EIS) features ... Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field with focus on control system design and ...

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Showing results 1-20

Optical Engineer information

See Santa Rosa, CA salary details

$90.7K

$157K

$184.2K

How much do optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical engineer in Santa Rosa, CA is $157,014.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,000.00 and $182,600.00 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.
What job categories do people searching Optical Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Engineer jobs in Santa Rosa, CA are:
What cities near Santa Rosa, CA are hiring for Optical Engineer jobs? Cities near Santa Rosa, CA with the most Optical Engineer job openings:
R&D Hardware Engineer

$135K - $178K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 22 days ago


Keysight Technologies rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 20 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

41st of 142 rated electronics manufacturers


Job description

Overview

Keysight is at the forefront of technology innovation, delivering breakthroughs and trusted insights in electronic design, simulation, prototyping, test, manufacturing, and optimization. Our ~15,000 employees create world-class solutions in communications, 5G, automotive, energy, quantum, aerospace, defense, and semiconductor markets for customers in over 100 countries. Learn more about what we do.

Our award-winning culture embraces a bold vision of where technology can take us and a passion for tackling challenging problems with industry-first solutions. We believe that when people feel a sense of belonging, they can be more creative, innovative, and thrive at all points in their careers.

This position is in Santa Rosa, in the heart of California’s beautiful wine country, is the corporate headquarters of Keysight , home to a diverse group of R&D labs.  The Digital and Photonics R&D team in Santa Rosa develops and produces the world’s highest performance oscilloscopes.

You will work in close collaboration with a diverse multi-functional team of engineers, scientists, and researchers around the globe to meet the communications electronics measurement challenges of today and tomorrow.  Giving customers insight into developing digital communication and Internet infrastructure signals and devices is our focus.  Keysight is committed to providing innovative measurement solutions that enable our customers and partners to deliver the products and services that make a measurable difference in the lives of people everywhere.


Responsibilities

Be a leader in hardware design with a multi-functional, global team to invent and develop new time-domain measurement instruments:

  • Quickly learn the hardware architecture of high-performance oscilloscopes, identifying the key areas where new designs can advance customer-valued performance, robustness, and flexibility.  Contribute to defining next-generation block diagram definitions, from system level to individual functional sub-systems.
  • Rapidly invent and implement designs to meet desired functions and performance of one or more parts of a new instrument block diagram: such as optical and electrical frontends, signal sampling sub-systems, clock recovery/phase lock loop design with skill in handling designs at frequencies from 20 GHz to 200GHz with integration to analog control/sensing/adjustment circuitry.
  • Work with a strong team of R&D development HW and SW engineers to integrate individual designs into whole new instruments.  Grow into a technical leader, mentoring others on our multi-functional team.
  • Invent new IP related to your work in new instrument design.  Write invention disclosure and/or patent applications to protect this new IP.
  • Document and present measurement IP and test methodologies to R&D team, and to multi-functional partners
  • Work with new product introduction teams and partner technology teams to bring your new designs from concept to product shipment.  Experience the full product development lifecycle and prove your designs are manufacturable as well as high-performance.
  • Support customers. Present technical information of value to customers, occasionally visiting customer sites to present products and help customers with integration
  • In a dynamically changing technology environment, continuous learning is expected and supported throughout your career.  

Qualifications

This position requires significant high-frequency design skills with strong ability to express ideas to influence and lead design direction of a team of engineers. 

  • Open to BS or MS candidates, most likely with Electrical Engineering or Optical Engineering major or equivalent field of study with emphasis in hardware applied to signal processing and digital communication.  Applicants with PhD training are welcome.  Be aware that this is not a narrow-focus, research-oriented position, but instead an invention/development of new products job.    
  • Successful candidates are likely to have 5-10 years of related experience to draw upon.
  • One or more examples of hardware system block diagram design where the candidate has designed and delivered significant pieces of the system block diagram.  Ability to discuss performance, cost and implementation time tradeoffs.  Ability to partition block diagram into designs, define subsystem specs & requirements, and work with a team to implement the pieces and integrate them to a whole.
  • Evidence of end-to-end design and implementation of one or more hardware designs with circuits in the 20GHz to 200GHz range.  Demonstrates knowledge of good hardware development practices to deliver quality and robustness with appropriate test strategy to prove performance.  Evidence of excellent troubleshooting and issue resolution skills.
  • Ability to quickly learn to correctly set up optical and electrical measuring instruments to make the desired acquisition of a sampled signal waveform.  Enjoys hands-on exploration to find correct instrument setups to measure your hardware designs.
  • Enjoy working with and being a technical leader in a multi-functional team to deliver prototype designs into volume manufacturing on a global scale
  • Demonstration of excellent communication and teamwork skills, enjoying working with a diverse and global team
  • Strong problem-solving and quantitative data analysis skills
  • Ability to quickly learn new technologies
  • Excellent time management, and ability to work independently in supportive team of available mentors
  • Significant pluses:
    • Experience with hardware design involving optical components, such as photodiodes, optical-to-electrical converters and knowledge of optical communication signal transmission
    • Specific examples of hands-on experience with using electronics test equipment to set up signal sampling, test scenarios and verify measurement integrity
    • Evidence of skill in using high-frequency and/or optical circuit simulation tools, such as ADS
    • Demonstrate experience of working with technology partners.  Defining specs and description of new technologies needed, such as new ICs or inventing leading edge fab processes
    • Evidence of designs realized in PC board, high-frequency medium such as thin film, and optical structures.
      Demonstrate knowledge of design to preserve signal integrity, minimize noise to meet performance specs.
    • Evidence of experience developing new IP and translating invention into end-user valued capabilities.  Ability to represent technical expertise to end-use customers is highly desired

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. 

Careers Privacy Statement***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***

Santa Rosa, CA Pay Range: MIN $138,960.00 - MAX $231,600.00

Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed above.

Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region

US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

  • Medical, dental and vision
  • Health Savings Account
  • Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Life, Accident, Disability insurance
  • Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
  • Paid Family Leave
  • Discounts, Perks
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Adoption Assistance
  • ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
Qualifications:

This position requires significant high-frequency design skills with strong ability to express ideas to influence and lead design direction of a team of engineers. 

  • Open to BS or MS candidates, most likely with Electrical Engineering or Optical Engineering major or equivalent field of study with emphasis in hardware applied to signal processing and digital communication.  Applicants with PhD training are welcome.  Be aware that this is not a narrow-focus, research-oriented position, but instead an invention/development of new products job.    
  • Successful candidates are likely to have 5-10 years of related experience to draw upon.
  • One or more examples of hardware system block diagram design where the candidate has designed and delivered significant pieces of the system block diagram.  Ability to discuss performance, cost and implementation time tradeoffs.  Ability to partition block diagram into designs, define subsystem specs & requirements, and work with a team to implement the pieces and integrate them to a whole.
  • Evidence of end-to-end design and implementation of one or more hardware designs with circuits in the 20GHz to 200GHz range.  Demonstrates knowledge of good hardware development practices to deliver quality and robustness with appropriate test strategy to prove performance.  Evidence of excellent troubleshooting and issue resolution skills.
  • Ability to quickly learn to correctly set up optical and electrical measuring instruments to make the desired acquisition of a sampled signal waveform.  Enjoys hands-on exploration to find correct instrument setups to measure your hardware designs.
  • Enjoy working with and being a technical leader in a multi-functional team to deliver prototype designs into volume manufacturing on a global scale
  • Demonstration of excellent communication and teamwork skills, enjoying working with a diverse and global team
  • Strong problem-solving and quantitative data analysis skills
  • Ability to quickly learn new technologies
  • Excellent time management, and ability to work independently in supportive team of available mentors
  • Significant pluses:
    • Experience with hardware design involving optical components, such as photodiodes, optical-to-electrical converters and knowledge of optical communication signal transmission
    • Specific examples of hands-on experience with using electronics test equipment to set up signal sampling, test scenarios and verify measurement integrity
    • Evidence of skill in using high-frequency and/or optical circuit simulation tools, such as ADS
    • Demonstrate experience of working with technology partners.  Defining specs and description of new technologies needed, such as new ICs or inventing leading edge fab processes
    • Evidence of designs realized in PC board, high-frequency medium such as thin film, and optical structures.
      Demonstrate knowledge of design to preserve signal integrity, minimize noise to meet performance specs.
    • Evidence of experience developing new IP and translating invention into end-user valued capabilities.  Ability to represent technical expertise to end-use customers is highly desired

Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position. 

Careers Privacy Statement***Keysight is an Equal Opportunity Employer.***

Santa Rosa, CA Pay Range: MIN $138,960.00 - MAX $231,600.00

Most offers will be between the minimum and the midpoint of the Salary Range listed above.

Note: For other locations, pay ranges will vary by region

US Employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

  • Medical, dental and vision
  • Health Savings Account
  • Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Life, Accident, Disability insurance
  • Business Travel Accident and Business Travel Health
  • 401(k) Plan
  • Flexible Time Off, Paid Holidays
  • Paid Family Leave
  • Discounts, Perks
  • Tuition Reimbursement
  • Adoption Assistance
  • ESPP (Employee Stock Purchase Plan)
Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

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