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Optical Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

Optical Stylist, Part-Time

Seattle, WA · On-site

$19.75 - $25.25/hr

Optical Stylist SEE Eyewear is addicted to uncovering hidden gems--and not just within our product assortment. We believe that finding the perfect frames starts with finding the perfect people. At ...

OPTICAL STYLIST SEE Eyewear is addicted to uncovering hidden gems--and not just within our product assortment. We believe that finding the perfect frames starts with finding the perfect people. At ...

Target Optical - Apprentice Optician

Seattle, WA · On-site

$19.75 - $25.25/hr

Requisition ID: 932775 Store # : 004125 Target Optical Position: Part-Time Total Rewards: Benefits/Incentive Information At Target Optical, we love the neighborhoods we belong to and that's why we ...

Optical DWDM Expertise: Deep technical understanding and hands-on experience with the rollout of large DWDM networks, optical network technologies, and optical planning/modeling tools. Candidates ...

Assistant Manager - Optical

Tacoma, WA · On-site

$17.60 - $21.97/hr

Each location combines both parts of the optical equation - eyewear and eye care - into one excellent experience at a single low price. For more details about America's Best, visit AmericasBest.com ...

Showing results 41-60

Optical information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$12

$24

$42

How much do optical jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical in Seattle, WA is $24.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.61 and $26.54 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are optical jobs?

Optical jobs refer to roles within the vision care and eyewear industry, such as opticians, optical assistants, and technicians. These professionals help customers select and fit eyeglasses or contact lenses, assist with vision tests, and provide support to optometrists and ophthalmologists. They may also perform repairs and adjustments on eyewear and educate customers about lens options and eye care. Working in optical jobs typically requires strong customer service skills and a basic understanding of eye anatomy and optical products.

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

To thrive as an Optical Technician, you need a strong understanding of optics, lens fabrication, and vision correction, often supported by a high school diploma and on-the-job training or certification. Familiarity with lensometers, auto-refractors, and optical dispensing software is typically required. Attention to detail, customer service skills, and effective communication help you excel when assisting patients and collaborating with eye care professionals. These skills are crucial for ensuring accurate prescription fulfillment, patient satisfaction, and the smooth operation of optical services.

What are some common challenges faced by optical technicians, and how can they effectively address them?

Optical technicians often encounter challenges such as keeping up with evolving lens technologies, managing high volumes of customer orders, and ensuring precise fabrication and fitting of eyewear. Staying updated through ongoing training and certifications is essential to handle new equipment and materials. Additionally, strong communication and organizational skills help in coordinating with optometrists and delivering excellent customer service. Collaborating closely with the rest of the optical team ensures that patient needs are met efficiently and accurately.

What is the difference between an ophthalmologist, an optometrist, and an optician?

Optometrists and ophthalmologists are both medical eye care professionals, but they differ in their level of training. Ophthalmologists are medical doctors and complete eight years of medical school. They can practice medicine and perform surgery. Optometrists are not medical doctors. Optometrists earn a doctor of optometry degree after attending four years of optometry school. These professionals primarily perform eye exams and vision tests, but they can also identify some basic eye abnormalities. Optometrists are also licensed to prescribe some medications. Opticians are eyewear specialists and do not need any formal medical education.

What is the difference between Optical vs Optometrist?

AspectOpticalOptometrist
CredentialsTypically requires optical technician or assistant certificationRequires Doctor of Optometry (OD) degree and licensure
Work EnvironmentOptical stores, eyewear retail, labsClinics, private practices, healthcare settings
Industry UsageFocuses on eyewear fitting, lens selection, customer serviceFocuses on eye exams, vision testing, diagnosing eye conditions

Optical roles mainly involve assisting with eyewear and customer service, while optometrists provide comprehensive eye care and diagnosis. Both are essential in eye health but differ significantly in education and scope of practice.

How long is schooling to become an optical?

Becoming an optical technician typically requires completing a post-secondary program or certificate that lasts from several months up to a year. For opticians, the process often involves completing an associate degree or a specialized training program, followed by certification or licensing depending on the state or country. Practical experience and knowledge of optical equipment are also important components of training.

Is optical technician a good career?

Optical technicians assist in the fabrication, repair, and fitting of eyeglasses and optical devices, often working in retail or laboratory settings. The role typically requires technical training or certification and offers steady employment with opportunities for advancement in the eye care industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical jobs in Seattle, WA?

The most popular types of Optical jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What are popular job titles related to Optical jobs in Seattle, WA?

For Optical jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optical jobs in Seattle, WA look for?

The top searched job categories for Optical jobs in Seattle, WA are:

What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Optical jobs?

Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Optical job openings:

Infographic showing various Optical job openings in Seattle, WA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 61% Full Time, 6% Part Time, and 33% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $50,747 per year, or $24.4 per hour.

Optical Transceiver Engineer - High Speed Links, Satellites (Starlink)

SpaceX

Redmond, WA • On-site

$144K - $187K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 16 days ago


SpaceX rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 149 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 72 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 TRANSCEIVER ENGINEER - HIGH SPEED LINKS, SATELLITES (STARLINK)
The Starlink Space Lasers team develops, produces and deploys systems for transferring data over optical media. We are looking for engineers to contribute to the development of optical physical layer systems for the groundbreaking constellation of Starlink satellites. All SpaceX optical systems (transceivers 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 SpaceX optical datacom engineer, you will be responsible for optical datacom system design, validation, and operation. You will shape the future of optical data communications and interconnect systems and directly contribute to the optical networks that convey high bandwidth data within our payloads.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
  • Apply interdisciplinary knowledge, spanning photonics, electrical engineering/signals, and mechanical engineering concepts to data communication system development, including design, analysis, and validation
  • Represent the optical data communication network in program-level, cross-disciplinary trades and issue resolution
  • Perform trade space analysis between various optical interconnect technologies and approaches to minimize SWaP-C while meeting throughput and reliability/uptime requirements
  • Participate in verification testing, including environmental qualification, functional qualification, reliability testing, and fault injection testing
  • Review test data and lead anomaly investigation and resolution
  • Maintain link models, 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 link tuning, operation and qualification
  • Represent optical datacom systems for reliability and risk discussions with internal reliability teams, management, customers, and vendors

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Bachelor's degree in physics, computer science, electrical engineering, or other engineering/STEM discipline
  • 1+ years of hands-on laboratory or work experience in photonics, SERDES/optical DSP design, or signal integrity design (university lab, student project, or internship experience can apply)
  • 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, computer science, or an engineering/STEM discipline
  • Proficiency with data communication system simulation tools such as Keysight ADS, VPI Photonics, or Lumerical Interconnect
  • Proficiency with signal integrity design tools such as HFSS, HFSS 3D Layout or CST
  • Proficiency with optical design tools such as Zemax
  • Hands-on experience in system design, integration, tuning/optimization, and test of data communication systems
  • Knowledge of and experience in SERDES, signal equalization/conditioning/decision functional blocks, ability to interpret SERDES receiver adaptation details and other queried information along an optical link to identify and resolve impairments
  • Knowledge of and experience in lasers, modulators, photodiodes, fiber optics, optics testing/troubleshooting techniques, high speed drivers and TIAs, optical DSP, SERDES, differential copper channels, and signal integrity principles
  • Knowledge of and experience in guided mode and fiber optics principles, photonic integrated circuit testing/troubleshooting techniques, manufacturing and integration processes
  • Knowledge of and experience in signal integrity principles, copper channel testing/troubleshooting techniques, SI feature simulation and optimization, end-to-end modelling of SI impact on system performance
  • Experience leading development of commercial transceivers and data communications products
  • Experience with hardware development for high-reliability applications
  • 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, spectrum analyzers, laser sources)
  • Experience with signal integrity and data communications test equipment (sampling oscilloscopes, real-time oscilloscopes, vector network analyzers, bit error rate testers, time domain reflectometers)
  • 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 for mission critical deadlines
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:
Pay Range:
Level 1: $105,000.00 - $145,000.00
Level 2: $120,000.00 - $175,000.00
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.
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 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 in Washington State accrue paid sick time in compliance with state and federal law. Company shuttles are offered to employees for roundtrip travel from select Seattle locations to the SpaceX Redmond office Monday to Friday.
ITAR REQUIREMENTS:
  • To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. 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 EEOCompliance@spacex.com.

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About SpaceX

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Aerospace product and parts manufacturing, data services, guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing and satellite telecommunications

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Hawthorne, CA, US