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Optical Manufacturing Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Mesh Optical Technologies

Facilities Director

Gardena, CA · On-site

$160K - $190K/yr

As we embark on this journey to operate the highest-volume optical manufacturing facility in North America, we are seeking a Facilities Director to develop efficient, safe, clean, and high-capacity ...

Gooch & Housego PLC

Optical Technician

Moorpark, CA · On-site

$22 - $26/hr

Responsible for setting up and operating manufacturing equipment. * Responsibilities may include blocking, degreasing, grinding, polishing. * Knowledge and understanding of process steps. * Measure ...

Gooch & Housego PLC

Optical Technician

Moorpark, CA · On-site

$22 - $26/hr

Responsible for setting up and operating manufacturing equipment. * Responsibilities may include blocking, degreasing, grinding, polishing. * Knowledge and understanding of process steps. * Measure ...

Attalon

Optician I - HSPP (3rd Shift)

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$16.07 - $27.48/hr

Optical Manufacturing Position Attalon's Murrieta site specializes in advanced optical manufacturing for critical aerospace and defense programs. Our team produces high-performance optical components ...

Attalon

Optician I - HSPP (2nd Shift)

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$16.07 - $27.48/hr

Optical Manufacturing Position Attalon's Murrieta site specializes in advanced optical manufacturing for critical aerospace and defense programs. Our team produces high-performance optical components ...

Attalon, Inc.

Optical Coating Tech I

Murrieta, CA · On-site

$18.34 - $31.36/hr

Attalon / Location Overview Attalon's Murrieta facility is a hub for advanced optical manufacturing supporting aerospace and defense applications. Our team works on cutting-edge technologies that ...

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How much do optical manufacturing jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical manufacturing in California is $25.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $22.07 and $27.50 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an optical manufacturing job?

An Optical Manufacturing job involves producing precision optical components such as lenses, mirrors, and prisms for industries like aerospace, medical devices, and telecommunications. Workers in this field use specialized equipment to cut, grind, polish, and coat optical materials to meet exact specifications. They may also inspect finished products for quality and ensure they meet industry standards. This role requires attention to detail, technical skills, and knowledge of optical fabrication processes.

What are the typical career advancement opportunities in optical manufacturing?

In Optical Manufacturing, entry-level roles often serve as stepping stones to more specialized positions, such as process technician, quality assurance specialist, or optical engineer. With additional experience and training, employees can advance into supervisory or management roles, or become experts in areas like process optimization or product development. Many companies encourage continuous learning, offering in-house training and support for professional certifications. Career growth may also include transitioning into related fields, such as research and development or technical sales, leveraging your manufacturing expertise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in optical manufacturing?

To thrive in Optical Manufacturing, you need strong technical aptitude in precision measurement, mechanical assembly, and quality control, often supported by a background in optics, engineering, or manufacturing technology. Familiarity with tools like spectrometers, interferometers, CNC machines, and cleanroom procedures is crucial, and certifications such as IPC or ASQ may be beneficial. Attention to detail, teamwork, and effective problem-solving are standout soft skills in this field. These abilities ensure the accuracy and quality of optical products, which are vital for applications in industries like healthcare, defense, and telecommunications.

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

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

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Optical Manufacturing jobs?

Cities in California with the most Optical Manufacturing job openings:

Optical Manufacturing jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Manufacturing job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 6% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 3% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,998 per year, or $25 per hour.

Senior Optical Engineer

Foxconn Industrial Internet

San Jose, CA • On-site

$140K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through high-volume manufacturing. This role focuses on the optical subsystem architecture, performance margins, tolerances, contamination sensitivity, and system stability, and will drive validation, characterization, and production readiness from prototypes through product maturity.
This is a highly cross-functional role working closely with NPI, test engineering, manufacturing teams, and customers to ensure robust optical performance and scalable production solutions.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead deep-dive investigations of complex optical path issues, identifying root causes and driving improvements across design, test, fixtures, and manufacturing processes through structured experiments and DOE methodologies.
  • Partner with NPI and Test Engineering teams to develop manufacturable optical measurement strategies, including selection and integration of optical test equipment for product development and production environments.
  • Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define and implement optical inspection and cleaning processes to improve yield, reduce retest rates, and maintain optical performance standards.
  • Support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for automated optical inspection and cleaning systems by defining acceptance criteria, conducting qualification and correlation studies, and closing readiness gaps prior to production release.
  • Qualify optical test equipment and stations through measurement system analysis, including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and station-to-station correlation studies.
  • Analyze production and test data to identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions prior to mass production.
  • Document technical findings, validation results, and process improvements to support design and manufacturing readiness.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of experience in optical engineering, optical testing, or optical manufacturing/NPI supporting complex hardware systems in laboratory or production environments.
  • Proven experience troubleshooting optical path issues, including fiber connectors, end-face quality, contamination control, and optical signal integrity.
  • Hands-on experience implementing optical measurement systems, including automation, calibration, data logging, and traceability.
  • Experience defining and validating optical inspection and cleaning processes in collaboration with cross-functional or customer teams.
  • Strong experimental and analytical skills with experience conducting structured experiments (DOE) and applying data-driven decision making.
  • Ability to produce clear technical documentation and communicate findings to engineering and manufacturing teams.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with optical switching products or high-speed networking optics, including fiber-based interconnects, optical modules, or optical assemblies.
  • Familiarity with high-speed optical link testing and performance metrics such as BER, eye diagrams, jitter margin, and signal integrity analysis.
  • Experience supporting equipment qualification and production readiness, including SAT planning and execution.
  • Working knowledge of measurement system capability analysis including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and correlation studies.
  • Experience working with mechanical designs and interpreting 2D/3D CAD drawings.

Salary Range: $140,000 - $180,000 per year
Work Location: San Jose, CA (onsite)
Foxconn Industrial Internet is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

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