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Optical Representative Jobs (NOW HIRING)

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution * Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions * Lead ...

SAFRAN DSI OPTRONICS

Optical Engineer

Bedford, NH · On-site

$127K - $164K/yr

Optics 1 is a global leader in full-service design and production of electro-optic and navigation ... A position within this group represents a unique opportunity to gain exposure to a variety of ...

IDEX Corporation

Optical Engineer

Longmont, CO · On-site

$127K - $165K/yr

Develop optical solutions for responding to priority market needs targeted by GSD's Strategic ... Represent GS&D at defense industry events, conferences, and trade shows. * Perform tolerance ...

IDEX

Optical Engineer

Longmont, CO

$127K - $165K/yr

Develop optical solutions for responding to priority market needs targeted by GSD's Strategic ... Represent GS&D at defense industry events, conferences, and trade shows. * Perform tolerance ...

SAIC

Optical IT Engineer

Denver, CO

$132K - $171K/yr

... represent the system state and have familiarity with post-processing techniques of optical sensor ... data that extract additional insights or translate the data into operationally relevant information ...

SAIC

Optical IT Engineer

Denver, CO · On-site

$132K - $171K/yr

The Senior Optical Project Engineer will work in a collaborative team-focused environment of U.S ... Simulating SDA data of space objects that represent the sensor system's spatial, spectral, and ...

SpaceX

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution * Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions * Lead ...

Optikos Corporation

Staff Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

The Staff Optical Engineer serves as a senior technical expert responsible for leading the ... Act as a technical representative during customer engagements, requirement discussions, and design ...

SpaceX

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution * Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions * Lead ...

Optikos Corporation

Staff Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

The Staff Optical Engineer is recognized as a key technical expert and collaborates cross ... Act as a technical representative during customer engagements, requirement discussions, and design ...

SpaceX

Sr. Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA

$135K - $195K/yr

Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution * Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions * Lead ...

Optikos

Staff Optical Engineer

Wakefield, MA · On-site

$130K - $165K/yr

The Staff Optical Engineer serves as a senior technical expert responsible for leading the ... Act as a technical representative during customer engagements, requirement discussions, and design ...

LLNL

Senior Optical Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$151K - $195K/yr

Represent the organization as a primary technical contributor and advise management during reviews ... Bachelor's degree in Optical Science and Engineering, Physics, or a related field, or the ...

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Optical Representative information

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$26K

$48.4K

$73K

How much do optical representative jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical representative in the United States is $48,409.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $40,000.00 and $55,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Optical Representative and how do they interact with customers and the clinical team?

As an Optical Representative, your daily responsibilities include assisting customers in selecting eyewear that fits their prescription, lifestyle, and aesthetic preferences. You will perform fittings and adjustments, process orders, and sometimes handle basic repairs. Collaboration is key, as you work closely with optometrists and technicians to ensure accurate prescription fulfillment and provide a seamless experience for patients. Strong communication skills are essential, as you'll be educating customers about lens options and frame features while ensuring high levels of customer satisfaction.

What are Optical Representatives?

Optical Representatives are professionals who assist customers in selecting eyeglasses, contact lenses, and other optical products. They typically work in optical stores or eye care clinics, providing information on frame styles, lens options, and pricing. Optical Representatives also help with fitting eyewear, verifying prescriptions, and processing orders. Their role combines customer service skills with a basic understanding of optical products and vision care. They may also handle administrative tasks, such as scheduling appointments and managing inventory.

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

To thrive as an Optical Representative, you need a solid understanding of optical products, vision care, and sales techniques, often supported by on-the-job training or certification in opticianry. Familiarity with optical dispensing software, point-of-sale (POS) systems, and basic lens fitting equipment is commonly required. Exceptional interpersonal skills, active listening, and the ability to educate customers set top performers apart in this role. These skills ensure accurate product recommendations, customer satisfaction, and effective sales performance in a retail optical environment.

What is the difference between Optical Representative vs Optician?

AspectOptical RepresentativeOptician
CredentialsSales certifications, optical product knowledgeState licensing, optical dispensing certification
Work EnvironmentField sales, client visits, optical storesOptical retail stores, clinics, labs
Employer & Industry UsageOptical product manufacturers, distributorsOptical retail chains, independent stores

While both roles involve the optical industry, an Optical Representative primarily focuses on sales and promoting optical products to clients, whereas an Optician is involved in fitting and dispensing eyewear. The roles differ in credentials, work environment, and daily responsibilities, but both require knowledge of optical products and industry standards.

More about Optical Representative jobs
What states have the most Optical Representative jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical Representative jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Optical Representative jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Optical Representative jobs are:
Optical Representative jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Representative job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $48,409 per year, or $23.3 per hour.
Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Optical Engineer (Starshield)

SpaceX

Hawthorne, CA • On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 13 days ago

SpaceX rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 146 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7th of 61 rated aerospace companies

Job description

SpaceX was founded under the belief that a future where humanity is out exploring the stars is fundamentally more exciting than one where we are not. Today SpaceX is actively developing the technologies to make this possible, with the ultimate goal of enabling human life on Mars.
OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARSHIELD)
Starshield leverages SpaceX's Starlink technology and launch capability to support national security efforts. While Starlink is designed for consumer and commercial use, Starshield is designed for government use, with an initial focus on earth observation, communications, and hosted payloads.
The SpaceX satellite engineering teams develop, produce, and deploy the most cutting-edge satellite free-space optical communication systems and observation payloads in the world. We are looking for engineers to contribute to the development of laser communications terminals and imaging products for the groundbreaking constellation of Starshield satellites. All SpaceX optical systems (laser communication terminal and other optical products) require a blend of theoretical expertise, practical implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time, resource-constrained systems.
As a Starshield optical engineer, you will be responsible for free-space optical system design, validation, and operation. You will shape the future of laser communication systems and directly contribute to mission-critical applications such as next-generation star tracking system for precise navigation in space environments.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Apply optics and photonics knowledge to optical system development, including design, analysis, and validation
  • Represent the optical system in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
  • Define requirements for high-performant optical systems in challenging environmental conditions
  • Lead optical architecture definition through internal trade studies, concept of operations definition, and risk reduction testing
  • Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, performance characterization, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
  • Define and lead field testing of optical experiments and laser communication systems
  • Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
  • Maintain link budgets, design specifications, and system capabilities data
  • Interface with manufacturing and supply chain teams to ensure final designs can be manufactured in accordance with overall project goals
  • Collaborate with software and automation teams to develop tools and protocols for automated optical testing
  • Represent laser communications systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or other engineering/STEM discipline
  • 2+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in optics, photonics, laser technology, or electrical/mechanical design or testing (university lab, student project, or internship experience qualifies)
  • 1+ years of experience in a computer programming language (e.g. C++, MATLAB, and/or Python)

PREFERRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
  • Master's degree or PhD in physics or an engineering discipline
  • Proficiency with optical analysis tools such as Zemax
  • Hands-on experience in optical design or system design, integration, and test of laser communication systems
  • Experience with mixed-signal circuits, processors, FPGAs, Ethernet, SERDES, DRAM interfaces (DDR4), I2C, SPI, operational amplifiers, analog to digital and digital to analog converters, and power supply components
  • Opto-mechanical design and analysis experience with precision mounting and steering mechanisms
  • Knowledge of and experience in lasers, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, and signal integrity principles
  • Knowledge of and experience in free-space optical principles, optical component testing/troubleshooting techniques, precision metrology techniques, manufacturing and integration processes
  • Experience leading development of commercial communications products
  • Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
  • Experience with pointing, acquisition, and tracking
  • Knowledge of and experience in atmospheric optical effects
  • Ability to assess risk and make design and development decisions without all available data
  • Ability to work in a fast paced, autonomously driven, and demanding atmosphere
  • Competence with optical test equipment (power meters, interferometer, laser sources)
  • Experience with infrared system alignment and characterization
  • Competence with Python scripting and a Linux operating system environment
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
  • Working extended hours and weekends as needed
  • Note that an active clearance may provide the opportunity for you to work on sensitive SpaceX missions. If so, you will be subject to pre-employment drug and random drug and alcohol testing

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay range:
Space Lasers Engineer/Level I: $105,000.00 - $120,000.00/per year
Space Lasers Engineer/Level II: $115,000.00 - $145,000.00/per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: job-related knowledge and skills, education, and experience. Those with an active clearance will receive a 10% differential, up to an additional $20,000 annually, once officially briefed into a classified program.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at SpaceX. You may also be eligible for long-term incentives, in the form of company stock, stock options, or long-term cash awards, as well as potential discretionary bonuses and the ability to purchase additional stock at a discount through an Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You will also receive access to comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, access to a 401(k) retirement plan, short and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, and various other discounts and perks. You may also accrue 3 weeks of paid vacation and will be eligible for 10 or more paid holidays per year. Employees accrue paid sick leave pursuant to Company policy which satisfies or exceeds the accrual, carryover, and use requirements of the law.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
    Learn more about the ITAR here.

SpaceX is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with SpaceX is governed on the basis of merit, competence and qualifications and will not be influenced in any manner by race, color, religion, gender, national origin/ethnicity, veteran status, disability status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, mental or physical disability or any other legally protected status.
Applicants wishing to view a copy of SpaceX's Affirmative Action Plan for veterans and individuals with disabilities, or applicants requiring reasonable accommodation to the application/interview process should reach out to

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