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Optical Physicist Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology ...

Senior Optical Engineer

Tucson, AZ · On-site

$115K - $165K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

QualificationsBachelor 's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.5+ years' experience in optical engineering, or closely related disciplines.Hands-on ...

Senior Optical Engineer

Tucson, AZ

$110K - $143K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • PTO

Bachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field. * 5+ years' experience in optical engineering, or closely related disciplines. * Hands-on ...

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Showing results 1-20

Optical Physicist information

See Arizona salary details

$36.8K

$88.3K

$211.1K

How much do optical physicist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical physicist in Arizona is $88,347.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,000.00 and $104,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an optical physicist do?

An Optical Physicist studies the behavior and properties of light, including how it interacts with different materials. They apply principles of optics to develop technologies like lasers, fiber optics, and imaging systems. Their work is used in industries such as telecommunications, healthcare, and defense. They may conduct experiments, develop mathematical models, and collaborate with engineers to create optical devices.

What are some typical projects or responsibilities I might have as an optical physicist?

As an Optical Physicist, your daily work might include designing and testing optical systems, conducting experiments to analyze light behavior, developing simulations, and troubleshooting system performance. You could work on projects involving telecommunications, laser technologies, imaging devices, or even cutting-edge research in quantum optics. Collaboration is common, as you’ll often partner with engineers, other scientists, or product development teams to bring new optical technologies to life. This role offers a dynamic mix of hands-on lab work and theoretical analysis, providing opportunities to grow your skills and contribute to innovative solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the optical physicist position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optical Physicist, you need deep knowledge of optics, photonics, and physics principles, typically supported by an advanced degree in physics or a related field. Familiarity with simulation software such as Zemax or COMSOL, experience using laboratory equipment like spectrometers and lasers, and sometimes industry certifications are highly valued. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are important soft skills for this position. These competencies are crucial for designing and analyzing complex optical systems, collaborating on multidisciplinary projects, and advancing innovation in the field.

What job categories do people searching Optical Physicist jobs in Arizona look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical Physicist jobs in Arizona are:

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Optical Physicist jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Optical Physicist job openings:

Infographic showing various Optical Physicist job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,347 per year, or $42.5 per hour.

Physics Modeling Expert - Remote

micro1 AI

Buckeye, AZ • Remote

$80 - $140/hr

Part-time

Posted 13 days ago


Job description

Role Title: Physics Expert (PhD / Postdoc)


Role Type: Contractor.


Location: Remote


micro1 is engaging Physics Experts (PhD / Postdoc) to contribute deep scientific knowledge and problem-solving skills to a high-impact customer project. In this role, you'll apply your expertise to help train next-generation AI systems. Your work will shape how models learn, reason, and perform through high-quality, real-world input. No prior experience in AI is required — your domain knowledge is what matters.


Scope of Work

  1. Solve advanced physics problems from your specialization, delivering rigorous, well-documented derivations and analyses.
  2. Produce technically precise, clearly written solutions, detailing all assumptions, approximations, and final results using LaTeX mathematical notation.
  3. Utilize SymPy, Python, and Jupyter for symbolic or numerical verification and clear computational workflows where relevant.
  4. Identify and articulate subtleties in problem statements, including special cases, boundary conditions, and dimensional consistency.
  5. Flag ambiguities in project materials, proposing well-reasoned interpretations and clarifications as needed.
  6. Iterate on submitted solutions in response to feedback from project reviewers, ensuring corrections are cleanly integrated.
  7. Uphold rigorous standards in documentation and reproducibility consistent with professional research practice.


Preferred Qualifications

  1. PhD in physics or advanced-stage PhD candidacy, with active research experience in a relevant subfield.
  2. Research expertise in one or more of: High Energy Physics, Mathematical Physics, Biophysics, Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter (including moiré systems, magnetism, PXP/Rydberg), AMO/Quantum Optics, Gravitation, Cosmology, Astrophysics, Quantum Information, or Optical Properties of Materials.
  3. 2–5 recent representative publications (past ~5 years) in your field, with accessible arXiv or DOI records.
  4. Proficiency with LaTeX for presenting mathematics, and with SymPy, Python, and Jupyter for computational work; willingness to indicate areas for further support if needed.
  5. Demonstrated excellence in written technical communication, with a track record of producing clear, precise, and well-argued scientific outputs.
  6. Strong analytical skills, able to isolate key physical principles and provide nuanced solutions to complex problems.
  7. Availability to engage with the project consistently over an 8–10 week period (approx. 10 hours/week).