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Optical Fiber Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

PsiQuantum

Manager, Optical Process Engineering

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$150K - $194K/yr

Troubleshoot manufacturing issues related to optics, fiber optics alignment, and length matching, or photonics assembly. Engineering Leadership * Lead and mentor a team of process, manufacturing, and ...

AEI-CIG

Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$110K - $200K/yr

The candidate will contribute to optical system design, fiber coupling optimization, lens ... D. in: Optical Engineering, Photonics, Physics, Applied Physics, or Related technical field

PsiQuantum

Manager, Optical Process Engineering

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$150K - $194K/yr

Troubleshoot manufacturing issues related to optics, fiber optics alignment, and length matching, or photonics assembly. Engineering Leadership * Lead and mentor a team of process, manufacturing, and ...

PsiQuantum

Manager, Optical Process Engineering

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$147K - $190K/yr

Troubleshoot manufacturing issues related to optics, fiber optics alignment, and length matching, or photonics assembly. Engineering Leadership * Lead and mentor a team of process, manufacturing, and ...

Koch Industries

Optical Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$130K - $160K/yr

Your Job We are seeking an experienced Optical Engineer to support Co-Packaged Optics (CPO) test ... The ideal candidate has hands-on experience with fiber- and free-space-optical test methods, strong ...

New

Mesh Optical Technologies

Optical Test Engineer

Gardena, CA · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

OPTICAL TEST ENGINEER Mesh Optical Technologies was founded on the belief that optical photons will ... Working knowledge of lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optical test/troubleshooting methods, and ...

PsiQuantum

Optical Packaging Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$150K - $194K/yr

The Associate Engineer will build fiber-coupled optical packages with photonic chips and work closely with the optical packaging and operations teams. Responsibilities: * Support hand-on ...

PsiQuantum

Optical Packaging Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$150K - $194K/yr

The Associate Engineer will build fiber-coupled optical packages with photonic chips and work closely with the optical packaging and operations teams. Responsibilities: * Support hand-on ...

Aetherflux

Optical Engineer

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

Optical Engineer About Cowboy Space Corp: Cowboy Space Corp. is building the infrastructure to ... Familiarity with fiber-to-free-space coupling and single-mode fiber injection. Preferred ...

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsOptical Fiber Engineer JobsOptical Fiber Engineer Jobs in California

Optical Fiber Engineer information

See California salary details

$81.9K

$141.7K

$166.3K

How much do optical fiber engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical fiber engineer in California is $141,730.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,300.00 and $164,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical fiber engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optical Fiber Engineer, you need strong knowledge of fiber optic theory, network design, and installation practices, often backed by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with tools like OTDRs, splicing machines, CAD software, and certifications such as FOA CFOT are typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication help engineers excel in troubleshooting and project coordination. These skills ensure reliable, high-performance network installations and maintenance, which are critical for modern communications infrastructure.

What does an optical fiber engineer do?

An Optical Fiber Engineer specializes in the design, installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of fiber optic communication systems. They work on laying fiber optic cables, configuring optical network equipment, and ensuring optimal data transmission over long distances. Optical Fiber Engineers are essential for supporting high-speed internet, telecommunications, and data connectivity in various industries. Their responsibilities also include testing fiber connections, maintaining network reliability, and adhering to safety standards.

What is the difference between Optical Fiber Engineer vs Optical Network Technician?

AspectOptical Fiber EngineerOptical Network Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in telecommunications, electrical engineering, or related field; certifications like FOA or Cisco CCNAHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications such as FOA Fiber Optic Technician
Work EnvironmentDesign, plan, and oversee fiber optic installations; office and fieldworkInstall, maintain, and repair fiber optic networks; primarily fieldwork
Industry UsageTelecommunications, internet service providers, data centersTelecom companies, ISPs, network service providers

While both roles involve working with fiber optics, Optical Fiber Engineers focus on designing and planning fiber optic systems, whereas Optical Network Technicians handle installation and maintenance. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus within the fiber optics industry.

What are some common challenges optical fiber engineers face during large-scale network deployments?

Optical Fiber Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multiple stakeholders, navigating difficult terrain for cable installation, and ensuring minimal signal loss over long distances. They must also manage tight project timelines and adhere to strict safety and regulatory standards. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are essential, as the role frequently involves troubleshooting issues in collaboration with field technicians, project managers, and network planners.

What are popular job titles related to Optical Fiber Engineer jobs in California?

For Optical Fiber Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical Fiber Engineer jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Fiber Engineer jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Optical Fiber Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Optical Fiber Engineer job openings:

Optical Fiber Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Fiber Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,730 per year, or $68.1 per hour.

Senior Fiber Assembly Process Engineer

black.ai

Milpitas, CA • On-site

$110 - $160/hr

Other

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

Job Summary

The Senior Fiber Assembly Process Engineer will be responsible for the development of advanced assembly instrumentation for high-performance and high-throughput fiber splicing, and study and address fiber and splice reliability at the scale of datacenters. This role combines fiber engineering, opto-mechanical automation, optical assembly manufacturing, and semiconductor process development.

Responsibilities
  • Study and root-cause sources of fiber splice loss and loss variability.
  • Develop and deploy advanced fiber processing equipment in collaboration with industrial partners.
  • Develop advanced measurement methodologies for validating fiber and fiber splice losses at datacenter scale.
  • Use optical simulation tools to model behavior and performance of fiber‑fiber interfaces for a wide range of advanced fiber designs.
  • Assess modal properties, loss mechanisms, dispersion, coupling, and other key fiber characteristics relevant to demanding optical applications through optical modeling and experimental validation.
  • Work with the optical packaging and assembly validation teams to develop and deliver test methods for the performance and reliability of fiber interfaces.
Experience and Qualifications
  • MSc or PhD in photonics, optics, physics, engineering, or a related field, or equivalent industry experience.
  • 5+ years of experience in fiber optics, optical system development and assembly.
  • Strong understanding of optical fibers and fiber splicing & measurement equipment.
  • Familiarity with key opto‑mechanical packaging and assembly equipment.
  • Proficiency in Python and JMP.
  • Experience with mechanical and/or optical instrumentation automation and control.
  • Familiarity with back‑end semiconductor packaging is a plus.
Compensation

U.S. Base Pay Range: $110,000 – $160,000 USD.

Bay Area Pay Range: $150,000 – $177,000 USD.

Equal Opportunity Employment

PsiQuantum provides equal employment opportunity for all applicants and employees. PsiQuantum does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, marital status, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws.

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