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Optical Networking Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Marencor

Optical Network Engineer

Fremont, CA · On-site

$110/hr

Role: Optical Network Engineer Location: Fremont, CA Salary: $110-120k Role Description: Deployment Engineer working on Backbone Network capacity deployment. This role will be focused on network ...

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SN-Scientific Networking

Optical Engineer

Bodega Bay, CA

$153K - $198K/yr

Berkeley Lab's (LBNL) Energy Sciences Network (ESnet) Division has an immediate opening for an Optical Engineer to join our team. In this role, you will serve as a senior optical network engineer ...

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How much do optical networking jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical networking in the United States is $21.44, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.35 and $23.32 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the highest paying networking job?

In the field of optical networking, senior roles such as Optical Network Architects or Network Engineering Managers tend to have the highest salaries, often exceeding six figures. These positions typically require advanced technical skills, certifications, and extensive experience in designing and managing complex optical networks.

Are optical engineers in high demand?

Optical engineers are in high demand due to the growth of optical communication networks, data centers, and fiber optic infrastructure. Skills in photonics, laser systems, and network design increase employability, and certifications in optical technologies can enhance job prospects.

What is the difference between Optical Networking vs Network Technician?

AspectOptical NetworkingNetwork Technician
CertificationsFiber Optic certifications, Cisco CCNACompTIA Network+, Cisco CCNA
Work EnvironmentFieldwork installing and maintaining fiber optic systemsOffice and on-site troubleshooting of network hardware
Industry UsageTelecommunications, internet service providersIT departments, service providers
Job FocusDesign, install, and maintain optical fiber networksConfigure, troubleshoot, and repair network hardware and software

Optical Networking specialists focus on fiber optic systems, while Network Technicians handle broader network hardware and software. Both roles require certifications like Cisco CCNA, but Optical Networking emphasizes fiber optics expertise. The roles often overlap in telecommunications and IT industries, but their specific tasks and environments differ.

What is optical networking?

Optical networking is a communication method that uses light signals transmitted through optical fibers to transfer data over long distances at high speeds. It is the backbone of modern telecommunications, enabling high-capacity internet, telephone, and video services. Optical networks use devices like lasers, fiber-optic cables, and photodetectors to convert electrical signals into light and back, allowing for extremely fast and reliable data transmission. This technology is essential for supporting the growing demand for bandwidth in today's digital world.

What engineering jobs pay $500,000?

In the field of optical networking, senior engineering roles such as optical systems engineers, network architects, or engineering managers can reach or exceed $500,000 annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced certifications, and leadership responsibilities. These positions often require expertise in fiber optics, network design, and industry-standard tools, and may include bonuses and stock options that contribute to total compensation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Optical Networking Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optical Networking Engineer, you need a solid understanding of optical communication principles, fiber optic technologies, and network protocols, typically backed by a degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with technical tools such as optical spectrum analyzers, OTDRs, and certifications like Cisco CCNP or ONF-Certified SDN Associate is highly valued. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication help professionals excel in design, troubleshooting, and collaboration. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure reliable high-speed data transmission and efficient network infrastructure in telecommunications environments.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in optical networking roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in optical networking often encounter challenges such as maintaining network reliability, troubleshooting signal degradation, and integrating new technologies with legacy systems. These issues require a proactive approach to monitoring network performance, continuous learning to stay current with evolving technologies, and strong collaboration with cross-functional teams such as network architects and field engineers. Addressing these challenges typically involves leveraging advanced diagnostic tools, participating in ongoing training, and adhering to industry best practices for installation and maintenance.

Is AI going to replace network engineers?

AI is unlikely to fully replace network engineers in optical networking, as the role requires complex problem-solving, hands-on troubleshooting, and understanding of physical infrastructure. Instead, AI tools are expected to augment their work by automating routine tasks and analyzing large data sets, allowing engineers to focus on design, optimization, and strategic planning. Continuous learning and certification in networking technologies remain important for job security in this evolving field.
More about Optical Networking jobs
What states have the most Optical Networking jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical Networking jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Optical Networking jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Networking jobs are:
Optical Networking jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Networking job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 90% Full Time, and 10% Contract. Highlights an 95% In-person, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,592 per year, or $21.4 per hour.
Optical Engineer, Infrastructure Validation

Optical Engineer, Infrastructure Validation

Meta

Menlo Park, CA

$173K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago

Meta rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 44 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

130th of 202 rated software companies

Job description

The Meta Hardware Design and Release to Production (Hardware Design and Release to Production) team ensures that the hardware running in Meta's production fleet is stable, secure, performant, and delivers the most value. Within HDRTP, the Release to Production New Product Introduction (RTP-NPI) team finds, debugs, and remediates hardware failure modes before certifying new platforms for mass production, and then sustains them across the deployed lifecycle.We are looking for an Optical Engineer to drive optics validation within RTP-NPI — pairing deep optical-transceiver expertise with Python scripting skills to automate the testing that qualifies optical communications modules and to lead optical transceiver NPI programs end to end. In this role, you will develop optics test automation using Python scripts, drive hands-on NPI execution with vendors and ODMs through EVT/DVT/PVT to mass production, and contribute to optical networking standards and engage with ecosystem partners.
Optical Engineer, Infrastructure Validation Responsibilities:
  • Develop and maintain Python scripts and test automation for qualification of optical transceivers and subsystems across EVT / DVT / PVT / characterization, using the team's existing test frameworks, instrument drivers, switch and host abstractions, and results pipelines
  • Lead optics NPI programs end to end, working closely with optics vendors and ODMs from RFI / RFP through EVT / DVT / PVT to mass production ramp and sustaining
  • Find, debug, and remediate optical hardware failure modes before certifying modules for mass production
  • drive root-cause analysis and corrective action with vendors and ODMs
  • Set up and operate NPI test stations in Meta lab regions: integrate modules, switches, and instruments, and debug at-scale, lights-out test execution
  • Define test and measurement methodologies for high-speed optical technologies, and translate them into reusable Python scripts and automation
  • Develop instrument automation and integration — BERT, OSA, optical power and wavelength meters, scopes — and CMIS register-level module control using SCPI / VISA / PyVISA and vendor APIs
  • Ensure new optical platforms are supported by production and fleet-health tooling, and contribute to production-readiness documentation including production-readiness review documentation, best-known configuration guides, and design-for-test specifications
  • Contribute to data integrity and analysis: build data capture, storage, and visualization so test and fleet results are trustworthy, queryable, and actionable
  • Provide sustaining support after deployment — validate stability, security, and performance under production workloads, and refine understanding of failure characteristics at scale
  • Contribute to engineering standards for test automation — code review, version control, documentation — and mentor engineers and technicians on Python scripting best practices and optical test methods
  • Collaborate across Software, Thermal, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Signal Integrity, TPM, and Production Engineering teams to integrate optics into systems
  • Interface with the industry, contribute to the RFI / RFP process, and shape product requirements, test plans, and data sheets

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Computer Science, or a related field
  • 10+ years in development roles for optical networking hardware, with a proven track record of taking new products into volume production
  • Demonstrated experience writing Python scripts to automate test and measurement, including instrument control, data acquisition, and data analysis in a lab environment. Experience developing and maintaining reusable test automation in a team setting
  • Hands-on experience with high-speed optical and electrical test, test automation, and lab instrumentation
  • Experience leading optical transceiver NPI programs with vendors and/or ODMs through EVT, DVT, PVT to MP

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience with optical integration including InP PICs, silicon-photonic PICs, PIC-IC integration, and 3D optical packaging technologies
  • Deep knowledge of pluggable optical transceivers and form factors — QSFP-DD, OSFP, QSFP112 — and the CMIS management interface
  • Ability to set technical direction across a multi-quarter NPI (New Product Introduction) program, define scope and requirements when they are initially unclear, and align cross-functional and external partners, including vendors, ODMs, TPMs, and Production Engineering
  • Track record of mentoring engineers, improving engineering standards and practices for test automation quality, and influencing without direct authority
  • Experience driving NPI milestones — EVT / DVT / PVT / MP — production-readiness reviews, and transferring test scripts and methods to contract manufacturers and ODM factory lines, including dual-ODM strategies
  • Experience with advanced modulation formats and direct-detect and coherent systems — OOK, PAM-4, QPSK, 8-QAM, 16-QAM — and related concepts
  • Experience writing Python scripts to automate tests and measurements, with familiarity in debugging, code reuse and shared libraries, and writing clean, maintainable automation
  • Data handling for test results: schema design, database persistence, dashboards, and statistical analysis of measurement data using NumPy, pandas, SQL or similar tools
  • Leadership & Scope
  • Experience with version control — Git or Mercurial — for managing test code in collaborative environments
  • Optical & NPI Domain
  • Experience in creating or influencing product requirements documents, test plans, and data sheets
  • Experience using instrument-control libraries and APIs — SCPI / VISA, PyVISA, vendor APIs — to automate lab instruments including BERT, OSA, power meters, and scopes
  • Willingness to work hands-on in the lab and to travel to vendor, ODM, and manufacturing sites as needed to support NPI builds
  • Familiarity with additional languages where useful for test or analysis: C/C++ or MATLAB
  • Test Automation & Scripting
  • Expertise in optical test and measurement: BER / FEC, pre-FEC and post-FEC analysis, eye diagrams, TDECQ, OSNR, optical spectrum, and link budgets
  • Familiarity with data center network architecture, fleet health and sustaining concepts, and high-volume manufacturing test flows

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$173,000/year to $245,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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