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Optical Systems Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Northwoodspace

Optical Systems Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

OPTICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER Northwood is looking for an Optical Systems Engineer to lead analysis, testing, and integration of optical ground station systems for space communications. In this role, you ...

Lumilens

Optical Systems Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$151K - $195K/yr

About the Role - Optical Systems Engineer As an Optical Systems Engineer at Lumilens, you will play a critical role in developing the next generation of optical‑transceiver‑based interconnect ...

Carman Solutions Group

Optical Systems Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$150K - $194K/yr

Optical Systems Engineer Location : Milpitas CA (Onsite) Contract JD: We are seeking a skilled professional with expertise in optical engineering , laser systems , and display technologies . The ...

K2 Space

Optical Systems Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$139K - $179K/yr

As an Optical Systems Engineer, you will contribute to defining how K2 designs, manufactures, tests, and deploys optics benches across K2's optical payload suite. You will be involved in every phase ...

Teradyne

Optical Systems Engineer

Reading, MA · On-site

$111K - $178K/yr

Opportunity Overview As an Optical Systems Engineer, you will support the development of advanced optical and optoelectronic systems, contributing across system design, laboratory validation, and ...

Teradyne

Optical Systems Engineer

North Reading, MA · On-site

$111K - $178K/yr

Opportunity Overview As an Optical Systems Engineer, you will support the development of advanced optical and optoelectronic systems, contributing across system design, laboratory validation, and ...

Star Catcher

Optical Systems Engineer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$119K - $154K/yr

Star Catcher, located in Jacksonville, FL, has an opportunity for an Optical Systems Engineer to support the development of space-to-space power beaming spacecraft and the Star Catcher Network, its ...

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K2 Space

Optical Systems Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$110K - $280K/yr

As an Optical Systems Engineer, you will contribute to defining how K2 designs, manufactures, tests, and deploys optics benches across K2's optical payload suite. You will be involved in every phase ...

K2 Space

Optical Systems Engineer

Los Angeles, CA

$139K - $179K/yr

As an Optical Systems Engineer, you will contribute to defining how K2 designs, manufactures, tests, and deploys optics benches across K2's optical payload suite. You will be involved in every phase ...

Arete Associates

Optical Systems Engineer

Longmont, CO · On-site

$100K - $177K/yr

As an Optical Systems Engineer , you will assist in designing and building solid-state, semiconductor, fiber laser, and optical systems; modeling and simulating laser and optical performance ...

FiberTEK

Electro-Optical Systems Engineer Location: Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek, Inc. is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key ...

FiberTEK

Electro-Optical Systems Engineer

Mclean, VA · On-site

Electro-Optical Systems Engineer Location: Herndon, VA - Herndon, VA 20171 US (Primary) Fibertek, Inc. is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key ...

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Optical Systems Engineer information

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$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

How much do optical systems engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical systems 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 are Optical Systems Engineers?

Optical Systems Engineers are professionals who design, develop, and optimize systems that use light, such as cameras, telescopes, lasers, and fiber optic communication devices. They apply principles of optics, physics, and engineering to create solutions for imaging, sensing, and transmitting information. Their work often involves selecting components, modeling optical performance, and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to integrate optical technologies into larger systems. Optical Systems Engineers are essential in industries like aerospace, telecommunications, medical devices, and consumer electronics.

What types of projects and teams do Optical Systems Engineers typically work with, and how does collaboration factor into daily responsibilities?

Optical Systems Engineers often collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including mechanical, electrical, and software engineers, as well as project managers and manufacturing specialists. Their daily responsibilities usually involve designing, testing, and optimizing optical components or systems, such as lenses, lasers, or imaging devices. Effective communication and teamwork are essential, as they must integrate optical solutions with other engineering domains and ensure all system requirements are met. Collaborative problem-solving and regular cross-functional meetings are common, making strong interpersonal skills valuable in this role.

What is the difference between Optical Systems Engineer vs Optical Design Engineer?

AspectOptical Systems EngineerOptical Design Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields; often certifications in optical designBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related fields; certifications in optical design software
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, R&D departments, often cross-disciplinary teamsDesign studios, R&D labs, manufacturing, focused on optical component and system design
Employer & Industry UsageOptical, aerospace, defense, telecommunications, imaging industriesOptical, consumer electronics, aerospace, defense, medical devices

Optical Systems Engineers focus on integrating optical components into complete systems, ensuring functionality and performance. Optical Design Engineers primarily develop and optimize individual optical components and assemblies. Both roles require strong optical knowledge, but their focus differs from system integration to component design.

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

To thrive as an Optical Systems Engineer, you need strong knowledge in optics, physics, and engineering principles, typically supported by a degree in optical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), CAD tools, and laboratory measurement instruments is often required. Attention to detail, analytical thinking, and effective communication are valuable soft skills for collaborating with multidisciplinary teams and solving complex problems. These skills and qualifications ensure precise system design, efficient troubleshooting, and successful project outcomes in the development of advanced optical technologies.
More about Optical Systems Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Optical Systems Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Optical Systems Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Optical Systems Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical Systems Engineer jobs include:
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Optical Systems Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optical Systems Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Locum Tenens, 70% Full Time, 12% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 15% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.

Optical Systems Engineer

Northwoodspace

Torrance, CA • On-site

$120K - $200K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago

Job description

Northwood is on a mission to transform connectivity between Earth and space. Satellites are only as powerful as the ground systems that connect to them - without that critical infrastructure, they can't be steered or send their data back to Earth. Northwood's global ground network ensures that missions ranging from national security, to global connectivity, to disaster response can unlock their full potential and operate every day without fail. We take a vertically integrated approach to building an end-to-end ground system, delivering technology that is scalable and reliable for both government and commercial customers.
Backed by over $100M from investors like Andreessen Horowitz, Washington Harbour Partners, Alpine Space Ventures, Founders Fund, and others, Northwood has proven its ability to move fast - we've stood up a fully operational site in Australia in just 3 months, where similar efforts typically take years.
Northwood is rapidly scaling its global footprint, with 30+ sites planned across 2026 and 2027. We're building and deploying infrastructure at a pace the industry hasn't seen before. If you thrive on building quickly, solving hard problems, and seeing your work deployed globally on critical missions, we want you at Northwood.
OPTICAL SYSTEMS ENGINEER
Northwood is looking for an Optical Systems Engineer to lead analysis, testing, and integration of optical ground station systems for space communications. In this role, you'll work closely with the CTO and engineering team to evaluate and validate free-space optical communication systems deployed at Northwood ground sites. You'll contribute across the full lifecycle of optical system development - from architecture and link analysis through experimental validation and field testing. This is a highly hands-on role at the intersection of optics, communications, and aerospace infrastructure, ideal for someone who has experience bringing complex systems into real-world deployment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Apply optics and photonics expertise to the definition and refinement of free-space optical system requirements and architectures
  • Evaluate optical communication systems to understand performance, tradeoffs, and operational constraints
  • Develop and execute test campaigns to characterize system performance and readiness
  • Analyze test data and troubleshoot issues in optical hardware, alignment, and signal performance
  • Work across mechanical, electrical, and software teams to integrate optical subsystems into production systems
  • Contribute to opto-mechanical design considerations including alignment, stability, and environmental robustness
  • Support system bring-up, integration, and field deployment of optical communication systems
  • Lead integration of optical terminals into ground station environments, including site constraints, power, thermal, and environmental considerations
  • Contribute to operational readiness of optical links, including monitoring, reliability, and uptime considerations
  • Work with network and mission operations teams to support end-to-end optical link performance
  • Analyze performance across different site locations to inform network-wide optimization

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree or equivalent practical experience in optical engineering, physics, or a related engineering discipline
  • 5+ years of experience in optical system design, photonics, or laser-based systems (research or industry)
  • Experience working with optical modeling, analysis, or simulation tools
  • Hands-on experience with optical laboratory equipment and experimental validation

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Master's or PhD in optics, photonics, physics, or a related field
  • Experience with free-space optical communication systems or laser communications
  • Familiarity with optical modeling tools such as Zemax, Code V, or similar
  • Experience with optical alignment, metrology, and characterization techniques
  • Knowledge of atmospheric propagation effects relevant to optical links
  • Experience integrating optical hardware with mechanical and electronic systems
  • Programming experience in Python, MATLAB, or similar tools for analysis and automation
  • Strong experimental intuition and ability to rapidly prototype and test new concepts

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Optical Engineer/Level 1: $100,000 - $120,000 per year
Optical Engineer/Level 2: $120,000 - $145,000 per year
Optical Engineer/Level 3: $129,000 - $175,000 per year
Optical Engineer/Level 4: $146,000 - $197,000 per year
Your actual level and base salary will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on job-related knowledge, skills, education, and experience.
Base salary is just one part of your total rewards package at Northwood. You may also be eligible for equity in the form of stock options or other long-term incentives, as well as potential performance bonuses. We offer comprehensive medical, vision, and dental coverage, a 401(k) retirement plan, short- and long-term disability insurance, life insurance, paid parental leave, generous paid time off, and various other perks and discounts.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.
Northwood is an Equal Opportunity Employer; employment with Northwood 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.
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