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Optical Physicist Jobs in Wisconsin (NOW HIRING)

micro1 AI

Research Consultant - Physics AI

Kenosha, WI · Remote

$80 - $140/hr

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

micro1 AI

Research Consultant - Physics AI

Madison, WI · Remote

$80 - $140/hr

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

micro1 AI

Senior Scientific Reviewer - Physics

Kenosha, WI · On-site +1

$80 - $150/hr

PhD in physics and an active record of independent research within a specialized subfield (e.g., High Energy/Mathematical Physics, Biophysics/Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter, AMO/Quantum Optics ...

micro1 AI

Senior Scientific Reviewer - Physics

Madison, WI · On-site +1

$80 - $150/hr

PhD in physics and an active record of independent research within a specialized subfield (e.g., High Energy/Mathematical Physics, Biophysics/Statistical Physics, Condensed Matter, AMO/Quantum Optics ...

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Optical Physicist information

See Wisconsin salary details

$39.9K

$95.7K

$228.6K

How much do optical physicist jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical physicist in Wisconsin is $95,691.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $59,600.00 and $113,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 are popular job titles related to Optical Physicist jobs in Wisconsin?

For Optical Physicist jobs in Wisconsin, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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

Optical Physicist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Physicist job openings in Wisconsin as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $95,691 per year, or $46 per hour.

Optical Product Development Engineer - Spectroscopy Instruments

Thermo Fisher Scientific

Madison, WI • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Vision, Life

Re-posted 14 hours ago

Thermo Fisher Scientific rating

7.7

Company rating: 7.7 out of 10

Based on 426 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

199th of 540 rated manufacturers

Job description

Work Schedule
Standard (Mon-Fri)
Environmental Conditions
Able to lift 40 lbs. without assistance, Laboratory Setting, Office
Job Description
LOCATION: This is a fully onsite position based at our Madison, WI site. Unfortunately, relocation assistance is NOT provided.
Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
Must be able to pass a comprehensive background check, which includes a drug screen.
As part of the Thermo Fisher Scientific team, you'll discover meaningful work that makes a positive impact on a global scale. Join our colleagues in bringing our Mission to life every day to enable our customers to make the world healthier, cleaner, and safer. We provide our teams with the resources needed to achieve individual career goals while advancing solutions to some of the world's toughest challenges, like protecting the environment, making sure our food is safe or helping find cures for cancer.
The Analytical Instruments Group (AIG) at Thermo Fisher Scientific provides a broad portfolio of instruments, software, and services that support a wide range of laboratory, production, and field applications. Our solutions are used by customers across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, academic, government, environmental, and industrial markets to advance research, improve productivity, and drive innovation. At the Madison, Wisconsin site, our teams design and manufacture advanced spectroscopy instrumentation used by scientists around the world for research, materials science, energy, and industrial applications.
We are seeking a hands-on Optical Product Development Engineer to help design, build, test, and improve optical systems for FTIR, NIR, and Raman spectroscopy instruments.
This role is ideal for an engineer with a strong foundation in optics who enjoys working in the lab, building prototypes, troubleshooting real hardware, and collaborating across disciplines to turn optical concepts into manufacturable products. The successful candidate should bring a solid technical foundation, hands-on engineering mindset, and curiosity to continue developing advanced optical design skills while contributing directly to product development.
This is a product-focused role, not a purely theoretical modeling role. The engineer will work across optical design, prototyping, alignment, testing, system integration, and transfer to manufacturing.
Key Responsibilities
  • Develop optical subsystems for spectroscopy instruments, including illumination, collection, imaging, sensing, laser, fiber-coupled, or interferometric optical systems
  • Translate product and performance requirements into practical optical designs, prototypes, and testable hardware
  • Build, align, and evaluate optical prototypes in the lab
  • Use optical modeling and simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V, LightTools, or similar tools to support design decisions
  • Perform optical testing, data analysis, and performance characterization
  • Troubleshoot optical, mechanical, electrical, and system-level issues during development and production
  • Collaborate closely with mechanical, electrical, software, firmware, systems, manufacturing, and service teams
  • Support optical tolerance analysis, error budgeting, alignment strategies, and performance optimization
  • Develop and execute test plans to verify optical and instrument-level performance
  • Iterate designs based on experimental data, manufacturability, reliability, cost, and performance tradeoffs
  • Support design transfer to manufacturing, including alignment procedures, test methods, yield improvement, and root-cause analysis
  • Work with vendors and suppliers on optical components, coatings, assemblies, and subsystems
  • Contribute to design reviews, technical documentation, and product development milestones
  • Mentor junior engineers or technicians as appropriate

Requirements
  • Bachelor's degree plus 5 years of experience, or Master's degree plus 3 years experience in Optical Engineering, Physics, Applied Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline
  • Experience building, aligning, testing, or troubleshooting optical systems in a laboratory or product development environment
  • Ability to analyze experimental data and use results to improve hardware performance
  • Familiarity with optical design or simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V, LightTools, FRED, or similar tools
  • Comfortable working with laboratory equipment such as optical benches, alignment tools, power meters, spectrometers, interferometers, cameras, detectors, oscilloscopes, or data acquisition systems
  • Practical problem-solving mindset with the ability to debug complex hardware and system-level issues
  • Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams across optical, mechanical, electrical, software, manufacturing, and quality disciplines
  • Programming or scripting experience in Python, MATLAB, LabVIEW, or similar tools for data analysis, automation, or modeling
  • Strong communication skills and ability to document designs, test results, trade studies, and technical decisions

Preferred Qualifications
  • Strong foundation in optical principles, including geometrical optics, diffraction, polarization, imaging, radiometry, and basic wave optics
  • Experience developing optical systems for commercial instruments, analytical instruments, medical devices, life science tools, aerospace systems, defense systems, or other complex hardware products
  • Experience with spectroscopy systems such as FTIR, NIR, Raman, UV-Vis, fluorescence, or related optical measurement technologies
  • Understanding of opto-mechanical design, alignment sensitivity, thermal effects, vibration, stray light, and optical contamination
  • Familiarity with optical tolerancing, metrology, fabrication processes, coatings, and supplier capabilities
  • Experience supporting manufacturing transfer, production troubleshooting, yield improvement, or service investigations
  • Interest in using AI, machine learning, or generative AI tools to improve data analysis, automation, modeling, or engineering productivity

Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate has a solid optics foundation and enjoys turning ideas into working hardware. They are comfortable moving between analysis, simulation, hands-on lab work, prototype builds, data analysis, and cross-functional problem solving. They are curious, practical, and eager to grow into a stronger optical designer while helping develop real products that can be manufactured, tested, and supported in the field.

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