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Optical Research Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Elio

AI Research Engineer

San Mateo, CA · On-site

About Elio Elio is building next-generation adaptive sensing systems that combine advanced optics ... About the role We're looking for an experienced AI Research Engineer to join our AI & Data Science ...

Steneg

... advanced R&D with the engineering discipline required to transition technologies from early ... Mission The Head of Optical Systems will be responsible for leading a multidisciplinary team of ...

SSAB

Research Engineer

Montpelier, IA · On-site

... R&D staff, Technical Services, Applications Engineering, and Operations personnel. Main ... Experience in using lab equipment such as polishing machine, optical microscope and SEM/EDS ...

Apple

Biomedical Research Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

The team is looking for a highly-motivated biomedical optics engineer interested in finding elegant ... This candidate should also be adept at building research platforms to study physiology and analyze ...

Apple

Biomedical Research Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

The team is looking for a highly-motivated biomedical optics engineer interested in finding elegant ... This candidate should also be adept at building research platforms to study physiology and analyze ...

Apple

Biomedical Research Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$129K - $225K/yr

The team is looking for a highly-motivated biomedical optics engineer interested in finding elegant ... Description You will be working with a team of research scientists and hardware engineers ...

E-Ink-Corporation

We are seeking a hands-on Research Engineer/chemist in Pigment research to help developthe ... electro-optical performance. * Use characterization and device performance data to recommend ...

E Ink

Research Engineer

Billerica, MA · On-site

We are seeking a hands-on Research Engineer/chemist in Pigment research to help develop the ... electro-optical performance. * Use characterization and device performance data to recommend ...

Apple

Biomedical Research Engineer

Cupertino, CA · On-site

$184K - $324K/yr

The team is looking for a highly-motivated biomedical optics engineer interested in finding elegant ... Description You will be working with a team of research scientists and hardware engineers ...

E Ink Corporation

Research Engineer

Billerica, MA · On-site

We are seeking a hands-on Research Engineer/chemist in Pigment research to help develop the ... electro-optical performance. * Use characterization and device performance data to recommend ...

E Ink

Research Engineer

Billerica, MA

We are seeking a hands-on Research Engineer/chemist in Pigment research to help develop the ... electro-optical performance. * Use characterization and device performance data to recommend ...

Altus LLC

Aeroballistics Research Engineer

Aberdeen, MD · On-site

$100K - $200K/yr

Aeroballistics Research Engineer Company: Altus Engineering Location: Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD ... optics, signature suppression devices, and ammunition concepts. • Develop and implement ...

Lightera

R&D Engineer

Somerset, NJ · On-site

Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and ... We are seeking a motivated and innovative R&D Engineer to join our research and development team.

LIGHTERA

R&D Engineer

Somerset, NJ · On-site

Our mission is to provide leading optical innovations and solutions by designing, manufacturing and ... We are seeking a motivated and innovative R&D Engineer to join our research and development team.

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsOptical Research Engineer Jobs

Optical Research Engineer information

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$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

How much do optical research engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical research engineer in the United States is $143,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an optical research engineer do?

An Optical Research Engineer specializes in the study, design, and development of optical systems and technologies, such as lenses, lasers, and imaging equipment. They conduct experiments, analyze optical phenomena, and contribute to advancements in fields like telecommunications, medical devices, and consumer electronics. Their work often involves using computer simulations, drafting technical reports, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to improve or invent new optical products.

What are some typical challenges optical research engineers face when transitioning from research to product development?

Optical Research Engineers often find that moving from theoretical research to practical product development brings new challenges, such as balancing innovative design with manufacturability and cost constraints. They must work closely with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical engineers and manufacturing specialists, to ensure optical systems meet both performance and production requirements. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as priorities can shift rapidly during the development cycle. Gaining experience with industry-standard simulation tools and prototyping methods can help facilitate a smoother transition.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an optical research engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optical Research Engineer, you need a strong background in physics, optics, and mathematics, typically supported by a degree in optical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), laboratory instrumentation, and data analysis tools is essential. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication are important soft skills for collaborating in multidisciplinary teams and conveying complex concepts. These skills and qualities are critical for developing innovative optical systems, ensuring precision in research, and successfully advancing projects.

What is the difference between Optical Research Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectOptical Research EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in optics, physics, or engineering; often requires research experienceBachelor's or Master's in optics, physics, or engineering; focus on design and implementation
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, academic institutionsManufacturing, product development, engineering teams
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, tech companies, universitiesOptical device manufacturers, telecom, aerospace
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Optical Research Engineers focus on developing new optical technologies and conducting experiments, often in research settings. Optical Engineers typically work on designing, testing, and implementing optical systems in commercial or industrial environments. While both roles require similar educational backgrounds, their work environments and objectives differ, with research engineers emphasizing innovation and development, and optical engineers focusing on practical application and product deployment.

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What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Research Engineer jobs?

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For Optical Research Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Optical Research Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Research Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.

AI Research Engineer

San Mateo, CA • On-site

Elio
See more jobs at Elioexternal

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 9 days ago

Job description

About Elio

Elio is building next-generation adaptive sensing systems that combine advanced optics and AI to transform light into structured, actionable information. Our platform uses real-time machine learning to extract rich physical signals beyond traditional imaging, enabling deeper insight and better decision making. Elio’s sensing applications covers biosciences, robotics, semiconductors and more, where understanding complex physical environments is critical.


About the role

We're looking for an experienced AI Research Engineer to join our AI & Data Science team and turn cutting-edge research into technologies that power breakthrough imaging and sensing applications. This role sits naturally where computer vision, representation learning, and reinforcement learning meet. You'll work on problems such as learning real-time acquisition policies that adapt how our sensors capture a scene, and building representations that transfer across imaging modalities. This is a full-time on-site position based in our San Mateo, CA office.


Responsibilities

  • Research, develop, and ship novel AI algorithms for Elio's adaptive sensing platform.
  • Design, build, and validate modeling and analysis pipelines for imaging and sensing applications.
  • Own technical problems end to end - hypothesis, experimentation, analysis, and clear communication of results.
  • Collaborate across scientific and engineering teams, to translate research into scalable production-grade capabilities.
  • Track emerging AI research and bring in ideas that strengthen Elio's technical edge.


Qualifications

  • Ph.D. in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 8+ years of experience in AI/ML research, engineering, or data science.
  • Demonstrated depth in at least one of: computer vision, representation learning, or reinforcement learning.
  • Strong publication record in computational methods, machine learning, or related research areas.
  • Expert-level Python and PyTorch skills, with proficiency in the modern data science ecosystem (e.g., pandas, scikit-learn).
  • Experience with cloud infrastructure, preferably AWS, is a plus.
  • Excellent communication skills and the ability to thrive in a collaborative, fast-paced startup environment.


Benefits:

Elio offers a casual, creative and inspiring work environment with talented, fun people, great terms and benefits.


  • Competitive salary and benefits package including medical, dental & vision
  • 401(k) program
  • Opportunity to work on cutting-edge research projects
  • Chance to make a significant impact in the field of sensing 


Apply