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

Apple

Display Module Design Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

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 ...

Santa Rosa Community Health

Optician

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$23.55 - $28.11/hr

Order and track optical prescriptions. * Ensure that all logs, forms, records, and charts are complete, thorough and accurate. * At the direction of the Clinic Manager or Site Director, support with ...

SANTA ROSA COMMUNITY HEALTH

Optician

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$23.55 - $28.11/hr

Order and track optical prescriptions. * Ensure that all logs, forms, records, and charts are complete, thorough and accurate. * At the direction of the Clinic Manager or Site Director, support with ...

Arete Associates

Electrical Engineer

Healdsburg, CA · On-site

$85K - $110K/yr

This role is ideal for an engineer with a broad electronics background who is comfortable working ... electro-optic system design. This full-time, exempt, non-supervisory position is based in our ...

Apple

Control Systems Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA

$184K - $324K/yr

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

Viavi

Senior Automation/Controls Engineer

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$134.40 - $249.60/hr

Duties & Responsibilities:**# The RoleVIAVI Solutions manufactures advanced optical thin-film and ... This Controls Engineer position balances two priorities: keeping automation running in an active ...

New

US VisionMed Partners

Optician-Empire Optometry

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$18.75 - $24.25/hr

This role involves assisting customers in selecting eyewear, ensuring accurate prescription fulfillment, and maintaining a welcoming and professional optical environment. Duties : - Assist patients ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsOptical Engineer Jobs in Santa Rosa, CA

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 Aug 7, 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?

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 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:
Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Engineer job openings in Santa Rosa, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $157,014 per year, or $75.5 per hour.

Senior Laser Process Engineer

Diamond Foundry

Bodega Bay, CA • On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

Diamond Foundry Inc. is solving the thermal limitation at the foundation of today's most exciting tech industries -- AI & cloud compute, electric-car power electronics, and 5G/6G wireless. We have managed to produce the world's first single-crystal diamond wafers and are now on a mission to put a diamond behind every chip. We are the rare unicorn that has grown fast and profitably. We received $515m in funding and are executing a multi-$B expansion plan for one of the greenest forms of tech manufacturing: converting greenhouse gas into diamond wafers using zero-emission energy.

Diamond Foundry is looking for a Senior Laser Process Engineer who will be responsible for the deployment and optimization of new and novel laser machines at Diamond Foundry, which will be used across our various facilities. You will be working cross-functionally with teams of mechanical, electrical, automation, optical, software, and system engineers to improve and deploy these technologies company-wide. Produce standard procedures & manuals and train technical staff to perform process optimization, ongoing technical support, and improvement of our laser and laser-associated processes.
Responsibilities

  • Optimize laser processes to deliver high yields of diamond parts that have high dimensional stability

  • Experience with Zemax, optical system design, and diffractive optics 

  • Hands-on experience with experimenting and aligning laser equipment

  • Analyzing complex data and coming up with actionable insights and solutions

  • Some experience programming scripts for motion systems with ACS, Aerotech, or high-end motion controllers

Requirements

  • Advanced degree in  Materials Science, Applied Physics (materials, laser, or optics focus), or Engineering with a minimum of 3+ years of relevant experience.

  • Experience with mass production of diamond, semiconductors, and/or ceramics. 

  • Expertise with applying optical fundamentals, laser materials processing, and resolving technical problems in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

  • Fast learner with the ability to quickly adapt to new environments, tools, and workflows

  • Possesses knowledge of optics and optical principles and experience deploying optics and laser-based processes or products

$130,000 - $165,000 a year
The position is eligible for company shares. Actual compensation may be higher or lower in the range based on various factors, including, but not limited to a candidate's job duties, experience, and location. We will also consider higher-level candidates and salary will be adjusted accordingly.
Diamond Foundry believes in supporting our employees from the workplace to their personal and home life. We provide eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. Perks include employee discounts to VRAI. Our benefits begin as early as your first day of employment. Medical and vision coverage are retroactive to your start date, while dental and voluntary benefits take effect once you've completed your enrollment.

Diamond Foundry is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected factor under federal, state or local law.

Diamond Foundry Inc. is committed to operating in full compliance with all applicable state and federal laws. Our commitment extends to ensuring that our manufacturing and engineering departments adhere to the highest standards of legal and regulatory compliance. Additionally, these departments may have specific physical requirements to ensure the safety and efficiency of our operations. We prioritize the well-being of our employees and strive to create a work environment that promotes both legal compliance and the optimal functioning of our manufacturing and engineering processes.

Manufacturing and Engineering Departments Physical Requirements:
-Use appropriate PPE and follow all safety policies, practices, and procedures.
-This position will often: Sit, stand for long periods, walk, grasp, reach with hands and arms, lift below and above shoulders, bend, twist at the waist,  climb, balance, stoop, squat,  kneel, crawl, talk, hear, see, use fine finger manipulation, and complete repetitive motions. 
-Some tasks may require the use of ladders or stairs
-Some tasks may require driving or the use of foot controls
-Lift/carry and push/pull up to 50 pound

This employer participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.
If E-Verify cannot confirm that you are authorized to work, this employer is required to give you written instructions and an opportunity to contact Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or Social Security Administration (SSA) so you can begin to resolve the issue before the employer can take any action against you, including terminating your employment.
Employers can only use E-Verify once you have accepted a job offer and completed the Form I-9.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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