ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Optical System Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

MediaTek Research Lab Inc.

Electrical/Optical Interconnect Communication System Design Engineer Category Algorithm & Architecture Location Irvine, CA Experience More than 2 Years Work Expe. We are seeking an Interconnect ...

KLA Corporation

System Design Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$116K - $159K/yr

... design. Surfscan product engineering group is comprised of team members with various subject areas ... Troubleshoot complex system issues across software, electronics, mechanics, and optics, writing ...

Orbotech

System Design Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$116K - $159K/yr

... design. Surfscan product engineering group is comprised of team members with various subject areas ... Troubleshoot complex system issues across software, electronics, mechanics, and optics, writing ...

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

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 ...

Ocean Optics

Sr. Optical Engineer

Orlando, FL · On-site

$120K - $155K/yr

The candidate will be responsible for the design and development of optical systems for various ... As a Sr. Optical Engineer you will: • Design and develop optical systems for various applications ...

AeroVironment

Optical Communication Engineer

Albuquerque, NM · On-site

$125K - $161K/yr

The Optical Communication Engineer is responsible for the administration, design, development, and ... Design, develop, and optimize high-power fiber laser systems, pre-amplifier and amplifier systems ...

System One

System Design Engineer

Bellevue, WA · Remote

$102K - $140K/yr

System Design Engineer Location: Bellevue, WA Job Type: Contract Work Model: Remote Schedule: 40 hours/week System One is seeking an experienced System Design Engineer to support the development of ...

KLA Corporation

System Design Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$116K - $159K/yr

Support manufacturing and field service teams with optics- and system-related escalations. Resolve technical conflicts, set priorities in line with program objectives, and escalate topics when ...

SpaceX

Optical Engineer (Starshield)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$120K - $170K/yr

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 ...

ASML

Optical Sensor Design Engineer

Wilton, CT · On-site

These systems typically include light sources, detectors, optical/electro-optical components, fiber ... As a design engineer, you will design, develop, build and integrate optical sensor systems. This ...

previous pagenext page

Showing results 21-40

All JobsHealthcare JobsOptical JobsOptical Manufacturing Technician JobsOptical System Design Engineer Jobs

Optical System Design Engineer information

See salary details

$79.5K

$139.9K

$187.5K

How much do optical system design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 11, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical system design engineer in the United States is $139,917.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $158,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are popular job titles related to Optical System Design Engineer jobs?

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

Infographic showing various Optical System Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,917 per year, or $67.3 per hour.

Optical Design Engineer -- Micro-Optics for Mass Production

Cupertino, CA • On-site

Apple Inc.
Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing • 10K+ employees
Learn more about Apple Inc.external

$150K - $225K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Retirement

Posted 10 days ago

Apple rating

8.1

Company rating: 8.1 out of 10

Based on 684 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

Job description

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, smart people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our commitment to leave the world better than we found it. Join us to help deliver the next groundbreaking Apple product. Do you love working on challenges that no one has solved yet? As a member of our dynamic group, you will have the unrivaled and rewarding opportunity to craft upcoming products that will delight and inspire millions of Apple’s customers every single day.

Description

In this Optical Design Engineer role, you will leverage your experience in designing and tolerancing optical systems to lead efforts to design and manufacture ultra-compact, high-precision micro-optical systems. You will start out with novel optics design concepts and turn them into optical systems optimized for mass production.

Responsibilities
  • Design, simulate, and analyze complex, ultra-compact free-space optical systems
  • Utilize your skills in optical design and simulation to propose optics designs, tolerance budgets, as well as testing and qualification approaches and methods
  • Contribute to the design, implementation, and test of novel technology prove-of-concept devices and prototypes
  • Work in a team and contribute to the development of next generation optics and photonics devices
Minimum Qualifications
  • BS degree in Optics, Physics, EE or a related field
  • Experience with at least one commercial optics simulation tools, such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, LightTools, or equivalent
  • Programming experience using MATLAB, Python, C, or similar tools
Preferred Qualifications
  • 3+ years of relevant industry experience
  • MS or PhD degree in Optics, Physics, EE or a related field
  • Understanding of optical physics fundamentals
  • Familiarity with the design, simulation, optimization, sensitivity and tolerance analysis of complex free space optical systems, with a preference for high-precision micro-optical system design experience
  • Experience designing incoherent and coherent optical systems
  • Experience with the design of optics systems for sensing or metrology applications.
  • Experience in one or more of the following areas: optics design for manufacturability, stray light analysis, physical optics, or coherent optical effects
  • The ability to work well in an interdisciplinary team environment
At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $150,400 and $225,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace
Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

What Apple employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Apple logo

About Apple

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Imagine what you could do here! At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Bring passion and dedication to your job and there's no telling what you could accomplish. Dynamic, intelligent people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The people who work here have reinvented entire industries with all Apple Hardware products. The same real passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it.

Industry

Computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cupertino, CA, US

Year founded

1976

View All Apple Jobs

Apply