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Optical Field Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

L3Harris Technologies

Optical Engineers

East Rochester, NY

$122K - $159K/yr

Optical Engineers - Electro-optic systems * Software Engineers - Embedded, EO/IR (electro-optical ... Minimum of a Bachelor's degree 3+ years experience in your field OR an additional 4 years in lieu ...

Corning

Precision Optics Development Engineer

Fairport, NY · On-site

$119K - $164K/yr

... field * 5+ years of experience in high-precision asphere fabrication for visible or DUV optical systems * Proficiency with CNC platforms such as grinders, polishers, MRF, IBF, or sub-aperture ...

Corning

Precision Optics Development Engineer

Fairport, NY · On-site

$119K - $164K/yr

... field * 5+ years of experience in high-precision asphere fabrication for visible or DUV optical systems * Proficiency with CNC platforms such as grinders, polishers, MRF, IBF, or sub-aperture ...

Corning

Precision Optics Development Engineer

Fairport, NY · On-site

$119K - $164K/yr

... field * 5+ years of experience in high-precision asphere fabrication for visible or DUV optical systems * Proficiency with CNC platforms such as grinders, polishers, MRF, IBF, or sub-aperture ...

L3Harris Technologies

Optical Engineers

Rochester, NY

$127K - $164K/yr

Optical Engineers - Electro-optic systems * Software Engineers - Embedded, EO/IR (electro-optical ... Minimum of a Bachelor's degree 3+ years experience in your field OR an additional 4 years in lieu ...

L3Harris Technologies

Optical Engineers

Victor, NY

$123K - $160K/yr

Optical Engineers - Electro-optic systems * Software Engineers - Embedded, EO/IR (electro-optical ... Minimum of a Bachelor's degree 3+ years experience in your field OR an additional 4 years in lieu ...

L3Harris Technologies

Optical Engineers

Scottsville, NY

$121K - $157K/yr

Optical Engineers - Electro-optic systems * Software Engineers - Embedded, EO/IR (electro-optical ... Minimum of a Bachelor's degree 3+ years experience in your field OR an additional 4 years in lieu ...

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Optical Field information

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$14

$24

$37

How much do optical field jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical field in Rochester, NY is $24.39, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.99 and $28.22 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What careers use optics?

Careers that use optics include optical engineers, photonics technicians, laser scientists, and optical system designers. These roles involve designing, testing, and maintaining optical devices such as lenses, lasers, and imaging systems, often requiring knowledge of physics, engineering, and specialized tools like optical benches and interferometers.

What can you do with a degree in optics?

A degree in optics prepares individuals for roles such as optical engineer, research scientist, or optical technician, involving the design, development, and testing of optical systems and devices. Skills in physics, mathematics, and proficiency with optical tools and software are essential for these careers, which often require laboratory work and problem-solving in industries like telecommunications, healthcare, and defense.

What jobs are in the optometry field?

Jobs in the optometry field include optometrists, who examine and diagnose vision problems; opticians, who fit and dispense corrective lenses; and optometric technicians, who assist with patient care and testing. These roles typically require relevant certifications or licenses and involve working in clinical or retail settings to improve patients' vision health.

What is the Optical Field?

The optical field refers to the area of science and industry focused on the study, design, and application of light and optical systems. This includes everything from eyeglasses and contact lenses to advanced technologies like lasers, fiber optics, and imaging devices. Professionals in the optical field may work as opticians, optical engineers, or researchers, contributing to healthcare, telecommunications, manufacturing, and scientific research. The field combines principles of physics, engineering, and biology to improve vision and develop new optical technologies.

What is the highest paid optometry job?

The highest paid optometry jobs are typically in specialized fields such as ocular disease, vision therapy, or in leadership roles like clinic directors or practice owners. These positions often require advanced certifications, extensive experience, and may involve working in private practices or specialized clinics, with salaries significantly higher than general optometrists.

What are the main challenges faced by professionals working in the optical field, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in the optical field often encounter challenges such as staying current with rapidly evolving technology, managing complex customer needs, and maintaining precise calibration of equipment. To address these, it's important to engage in continuous learning through industry certifications and training, collaborate closely with colleagues and manufacturers, and adhere to strict protocols for equipment maintenance. Building strong customer communication skills and staying organized can also help manage multiple appointments and ensure high-quality service.

What is the difference between Optical Field vs Optical Technician?

AspectOptical FieldOptical Technician
CredentialsTypically requires a degree in optics, physics, or engineeringOften requires a certificate or associate degree in optical technology
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, design, and development settingsOptical labs, manufacturing facilities, retail optical stores
Industry UsageUsed broadly in research, development, and high-tech manufacturingPrimarily in retail, clinical, and manufacturing optical services

The Optical Field encompasses a wide range of roles including research, design, and development in optics, often requiring advanced degrees. Optical Technicians focus on assembling, testing, and maintaining optical devices, usually with technical certifications. While both roles work within the optics industry, the Optical Field is more research-oriented, whereas Optical Technicians are more hands-on and production-focused.

What are popular job titles related to Optical Field jobs in Rochester, NY? For Optical Field jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical Field jobs in Rochester, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Field jobs in Rochester, NY are:
Optical Field jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Field job openings in Rochester, NY as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,722 per year, or $24.4 per hour.
Optical Engineer - Lens Design & Systems Analysis

Optical Engineer - Lens Design & Systems Analysis

Corning

Fairport, NY • On-site

$122K - $158K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 25 days ago

Corning rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 127 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

84th of 527 rated manufacturers

Job description

Requisition Number: 75748
The company built on breakthroughs.
Join us.
Corning is one of the world's leading innovators in glass, ceramic, and materials science. From the depths of the ocean to the farthest reaches of space, our technologies push the boundaries of what's possible.
How do we do this? With our people. They break through limitations and expectations - not once in a career, but every day. They help move our company, and the world, forward.
At Corning, there are endless possibilities for making an impact. You can help connect the unconnected, drive the future of automobiles, transform at-home entertainment, and ensure the delivery of lifesaving medicines. And so much more.
Come break through with us.
Corning's businesses are ever-evolving to best serve our customers, industries, and consumers. Today, we accelerate and transform life sciences, mobile consumer electronics, optical communications, display, automotive, and solar markets. We are changing the world with:
  • Trusted products that accelerate drug discovery, development, and delivery to save lives
  • Damage-resistant cover glass to enhance the devices that keep us connected
  • Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at the speed of light
  • Precision glass for advanced displays to deliver richer experiences
  • Auto glass and ceramics to drive cleaner, safer, and smarter transportation
  • Solar polysilicon, wafers, and innovative photovoltaic modules, enabling low-cost solar energy solutions

Purpose of Position
Corning Advanced Optics is seeking an experienced optical design engineer to join our team. This engineer will contribute to the design, analysis, tolerancing, and build of complex optical systems, working in multidisciplinary teams of engineers from concept development through hardware delivery.
Day to Day Responsibilities
  • Participate in early-stage discussions with customers to distill & translate customer requirements into concrete system specifications.
  • Develop lens design forms for complex optical systems that meet these system specifications.
  • Develop manufacturing tolerances and build strategies for these lens systems using custom sensitivity and tolerancing software.
  • Collaborate with system metrology and controls engineers to develop appropriate measurement and optimization test benches.
  • Provide optical design support to both prototype development and long-term manufacturing.
  • Analyze the influential metrics to understand operational performance of an optical system.
  • Document optical design details that include lens prescription, build strategy, tolerances, and critical analysis.
  • Plan and implement optical design processes to transfer the system to production.

In summary, this engineer will work within a multi-disciplinary project team to design, analyze, engineer, and build lens systems from concept to hardware completion.
Required Qualifications
  • Minimum BS degree in Optics, Optical Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • 5+ years of industry experience in optical design engineering, working on the full life cycle of complex optical systems, from design concept to hardware delivery.
  • Proficiency using commercial optical design software for the design, optimization, and analysis of imaging optical systems; experience with CODE V is preferred
  • Experience with distilling a complex set of customer optical system requirements into cohesive optical design specifications.
  • Keen understanding of optical manufacturing strategies, sensitivity analysis, tolerancing, and fabrication methods.
  • Familiarity with lens system performance metrics, including first-order properties, wavefront error, resolution, distortion, polarization-sensitive performance (transmission, retardance, and diattenuation), etc..
  • Ability to present and communicate optical design concepts, tradeoffs, and technical details to a multi-disciplinary team and with the customer.

Desired Qualifications
  • MS, PhD degree preferred
  • Experience supporting and designing optical projects through concept design, engineering development, and hardware delivery.
  • Knowledge of optical design principles for imaging and/or illumination systems.
  • Familiarity with optical designs for illumination systems.
  • Experience using a wide range of optical software analysis tools for both imaging and illumination systems, including CODE V, Zemax, LightTools, FRED, etc..
  • Broad optical design experience in monochromatic and broadband lens systems operating in the UV and/or visible portions of the spectrum.
  • Familiarity with refractive, reflective and catadioptric design forms.
  • Macro development in optical design code, data analysis and script development in MATLAB or Python.
  • Solid background in mathematics (calculus and linear algebra) and in geometrical and physical optics, to be equipped to work with proprietary or novel performance metrics for our most challenging optical systems.

This position does not support immigration sponsorship.
The range for this position is $112,902.00 - $155,240.00 assuming full time status. Starting pay for the successful applicant is dependent on a variety of job-related factors, including but not limited to geographic location, market demands, experience, training, and education.
A job that shapes a life.
Corning offers you the total package.
Your well-being is our priority. Our compensation and benefits package supports your health and wellness, financial aspirations, and career from day one.
  • Company-wide bonuses and long-term incentives align with key business results and ensure you are rewarded when the company performs well. When Corning wins, we all win.
  • As part of our commitment to your financial well-being, we provide a 100% company-paid pension benefit with fixed contributions that grow throughout your career. Combined with matching contributions to your 401(k) savings plan, Corning's total contributions to your retirement accounts can reach between 7% and 12% of your pay, depending on your age and years of service.
  • Our health and well-being benefits include medical, dental, vision, paid parental leave, family building support, fitness, company-paid life insurance, disability, disease management programs, paid time off, and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to support you and your family.
  • Getting paid for our work is important, but feeling appreciated and recognized for those contributions motivates us much more. That's why Corning offers a recognition program to celebrate successes and reward colleagues who make exceptional contributions.

We prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status or any other legally protected status.
Corning is committed to providing equal employment opportunities and considers requests for reasonable accommodations in accordance with applicable laws. Individuals with disabilities or sincerely held religious beliefs may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or access other benefits and privileges of employment. To submit a request for reasonable accommodation related to disability or religion, please contact us at accommodations@corning.com.

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