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Optical Test Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Staff Optical Test Development Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$151.20K - $195.70K/yr

We are looking for a staff optical engineer to develop optical test solutions for our optical products. You will be empowered to make decisions and implement your creative ideas to advance Nokia ...

Staff Optical Test Development Engineer

San Jose, CA

$151.20K - $195.70K/yr

We are looking for a staff optical engineer to develop optical test solutions for our optical products. You will be empowered to make decisions and implement your creative ideas to advance Nokia ...

Optical Systems Application Engineer

San Jose, CA

$151.60K - $196.20K/yr

As an Optical Systems Validation Engineer, you will design optical test hardware, create test procedures, and analyze test results to finalize chip and module configurations used across various ...

Global ownership of high-speed test, including, bit error rate test (BERT), optical test ... Responsible for engineering verification test (EVT) and design verification test (DVT) planning ...

Lead Optical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$139K - $179.90K/yr

Design and implement optical test setups including alignment tools, calibration methods, and ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics/Electrical Engineering or a related ...

Lead Optical Engineer

Irvine, CA

$138.50K - $179.30K/yr

Design and implement optical test setups including alignment tools, calibration methods, and ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics/Electrical Engineering or a related ...

Lead Optical Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$139K - $179.90K/yr

Design and implement optical test setups including alignment tools, calibration methods, and ... Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics/Electrical Engineering or a related ...

Sr. Optical Engineer , Amazon Leo

Redmond, WA

$144.50K - $187K/yr

Develop clear understanding of optical tests needed for qualifying optical systems Conduct optical ... optical test engineering report for Program Reviews as requested. Analyze technical problems ...

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Optical Test Engineer information

See salary details

$79.5K

$139.9K

$187.5K

How much do optical test engineer jobs pay per year?

As of May 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for optical test 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 is an Optical Test Engineer job?

An Optical Test Engineer is responsible for designing, implementing, and conducting tests on optical components and systems to ensure they meet performance and quality standards. They work with lasers, lenses, fiber optics, and imaging devices, using specialized equipment to analyze optical performance. Their role includes troubleshooting issues, optimizing system performance, and documenting test results. Optical Test Engineers often collaborate with design and manufacturing teams to refine processes and improve product reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Optical Test Engineer position, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Optical Test Engineer, you need a solid background in optics, physics, and engineering principles, usually supported by a relevant degree and experience in optical testing. Familiarity with optical test equipment such as interferometers, spectrometers, and software like LabVIEW or MATLAB is highly valuable, and certifications in optics or quality assurance can be advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help differentiate top performers in this field. Mastery of these technical and interpersonal skills ensures precise testing, reliable product quality, and successful collaboration within multidisciplinary teams.

What are the typical daily responsibilities of an Optical Test Engineer?

As an Optical Test Engineer, your daily tasks often include setting up and performing tests on optical components or systems, analyzing measurement data, troubleshooting issues, and preparing detailed reports. You’ll regularly work with advanced optical instruments to verify system performance and might collaborate with design, manufacturing, and quality teams to address technical challenges. Maintaining accurate records and ensuring compliance with industry standards are also important parts of the job. This role provides a dynamic mix of hands-on technical work and problem-solving, making it both challenging and rewarding for those interested in optics and precision engineering.
What cities are hiring for Optical Test Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Optical Test Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Test Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Optical Test Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Optical Test Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Optical Test Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Optical Test Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 94% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 93% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,917 per year, or $67.3 per hour.
Senior Optical Engineer

Senior Optical Engineer

Foxconn Industrial Internet

Houston, TX • On-site

$123.20K - $159.50K/yr

Full-time

Posted 27 days ago


Job description

We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through high-volume manufacturing. This role focuses on the optical subsystem architecture, performance margins, tolerances, contamination sensitivity, and system stability, and will drive validation, characterization, and production readiness from prototypes through product maturity.
This is a highly cross-functional role working closely with NPI, test engineering, manufacturing teams, and customers to ensure robust optical performance and scalable production solutions.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead deep-dive investigations of complex optical path issues, identifying root causes and driving improvements across design, test, fixtures, and manufacturing processes through structured experiments and DOE methodologies.
  • Partner with NPI and Test Engineering teams to develop manufacturable optical measurement strategies, including selection and integration of optical test equipment for product development and production environments.
  • Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define and implement optical inspection and cleaning processes to improve yield, reduce retest rates, and maintain optical performance standards.
  • Support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for automated optical inspection and cleaning systems by defining acceptance criteria, conducting qualification and correlation studies, and closing readiness gaps prior to production release.
  • Qualify optical test equipment and stations through measurement system analysis, including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and station-to-station correlation studies.
  • Analyze production and test data to identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions prior to mass production.
  • Document technical findings, validation results, and process improvements to support design and manufacturing readiness.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of experience in optical engineering, optical testing, or optical manufacturing/NPI supporting complex hardware systems in laboratory or production environments.
  • Proven experience troubleshooting optical path issues, including fiber connectors, end-face quality, contamination control, and optical signal integrity.
  • Hands-on experience implementing optical measurement systems, including automation, calibration, data logging, and traceability.
  • Experience defining and validating optical inspection and cleaning processes in collaboration with cross-functional or customer teams.
  • Strong experimental and analytical skills with experience conducting structured experiments (DOE) and applying data-driven decision making.
  • Ability to produce clear technical documentation and communicate findings to engineering and manufacturing teams.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with optical switching products or high-speed networking optics, including fiber-based interconnects, optical modules, or optical assemblies.
  • Familiarity with high-speed optical link testing and performance metrics such as BER, eye diagrams, jitter margin, and signal integrity analysis.
  • Experience supporting equipment qualification and production readiness, including SAT planning and execution.
  • Working knowledge of measurement system capability analysis including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and correlation studies.
  • Experience working with mechanical designs and interpreting 2D/3D CAD drawings.

Work Location: Houston, TX (onsite)
Foxconn Industrial Internet is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.