1

Optical Jobs in Temecula, CA (NOW HIRING)

Staff Optical Engineer

Vista, CA ยท On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

As a Staff Optical Engineer at Inversion, you will own major elements of the optical systems that enable our vehicles to sense, navigate, and perform in extreme environments. You will lead the ...

Principal Optical Engineer (Onsite)

Carlsbad, CA ยท On-site

$133K - $173K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Not Required Principal Optical Engineer (Onsite) At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the ...

Optical Tech I

Murrieta, CA ยท On-site

$16.07 - $27.48/hr

Optical Technician 1 We are looking for talent to join our Optical Fabrication team. Under general supervision, you will operate and maintain machines, fabricate optical parts, perform inspections ...

Sales Associate Target Optical

Murrieta, CA ยท On-site

$17.25 - $21.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Requisition ID: 930765 Store # : 000316 Target Optical Position: Casual Part-Time Total Rewards: Benefits/Incentive Information At Target Optical, we love the neighborhoods we belong to and that ...

Sales Associate Target Optical

Murrieta, CA ยท On-site

$17.25 - $21.25/hr

  • Medical

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Requisition ID: 930765 Store # : 000316 Target Optical Position: Casual Part-Time Total Rewards: Benefits/Incentive Information At Target Optical, we love the neighborhoods we belong to and that ...

Senior Optical Engineer (Onsite)

Carlsbad, CA ยท On-site

$108K - $148K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Not Required Senior Optical Engineer (Onsite) At RTX, the world's largest aerospace and defense company, 185,000 great minds are united by purpose and inspired to make a difference solving the world ...

Optical Coating Tech I

Murrieta, CA ยท On-site

$18.34 - $31.36/hr

Optical Coating Technician I Job Details The Optical Coating Technician I plays a key role in producing high-performance optical components by applying thin-film coatings to precision substrates.

Manager - Optical Center

Oceanside, CA ยท On-site

$30 - $40/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Optical equipmentUpholds the Companys Open Door Policy: by meeting with Associates and listening to concerns researching issues reviewing Company policies and procedures and suggesting resolution for ...

Licensed Optical Manager

Oceanside, CA ยท On-site

$30 - $40/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Optical equipmentUpholds the Companys Open Door Policy: by meeting with Associates and listening to concerns researching issues reviewing Company policies and procedures and suggesting resolution for ...

Optical Center Manager

Oceanside, CA ยท On-site

$30 - $40/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

... Optical equipmentUpholds the Companys Open Door Policy: by meeting with Associates and listening to concerns researching issues reviewing Company policies and procedures and suggesting resolution for ...

Sales Consultant

Escondido, CA ยท On-site

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

At Stanton Optical, our Sales Consultants create an easy and memorable experience for all of our patients and customers when assisting them throughout our unique sales process to fulfill their ...

Sales Manager

Vista, CA ยท On-site

$19 - $22/hr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • PTO

As a Stanton Optical Sales Manager you would be our sales leader, assisting the Brand Manager in supervising and executing action plans to drive sales performance while creating a positive, results ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Optical information

See Temecula, CA salary details

$10

$21

$37

How much do optical jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for optical in Temecula, CA is $21.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.25 and $23.17 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is optical technician a good career?

Optical technicians play a key role in manufacturing, repairing, and maintaining optical devices such as lenses and glasses. The profession typically requires technical training or certification and offers steady employment opportunities in healthcare and manufacturing sectors. Job prospects depend on industry demand and regional employment rates.

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 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 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.

What is a career in optics?

A career in optics involves working with the science and technology of light, including designing, testing, and manufacturing optical devices such as lenses, microscopes, and lasers. Professionals in this field often require knowledge of physics, engineering, and specialized tools, and may work in research, development, or manufacturing environments.

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 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 are the most commonly searched types of Optical jobs in Temecula, CA? The most popular types of Optical jobs in Temecula, CA are:
What are popular job titles related to Optical jobs in Temecula, CA? For Optical jobs in Temecula, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optical jobs in Temecula, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Optical jobs in Temecula, CA are:
What cities near Temecula, CA are hiring for Optical jobs? Cities near Temecula, CA with the most Optical job openings:
Infographic showing various Optical job openings in Temecula, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,303 per year, or $21.3 per hour.

Staff Optical Engineer

Inversion

Vista, CA โ€ข On-site

$161K - $221K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 29 days ago


Job description

Turning Space into a Transportation Layer for Earth
Who We Are:
Inversion builds advanced reentry systems to deliver next-generation capabilities from space.
Our mission is to make Earth radically more accessible by turning Low-Earth Orbit into an on-demand logistics domain. We see space not as a destination, but as a platform - one that unlocks unprecedented speed and global reach.
Our spacecraft are designed to deliver payloads anywhere on Earth in under an hour, operating through extreme reentry conditions and landing with high precision. These systems open the door to new ways of testing, delivering, and operating at hypersonic speeds.
Inherently dual-use, our technology is built to meet urgent national security needs while laying the groundwork for future commercial applications. Backed by leading investors including Y Combinator, Spark Capital, and Lockheed Martin Ventures, and working with partners such as the U.S. Space Force and NASA, Inversion is pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space-based defense and logistics.
What You'll Do:
As a Staff Optical Engineer at Inversion, you will own major elements of the optical systems that enable our vehicles to sense, navigate, and perform in extreme environments. You will lead the development of sensor windows, seeker architectures, and a variety of spectral camera systems from early trades through analysis, integration, and test. This is a unique opportunity to define the optical hardware for first-of-their-kind reentry systems and help ensure it performs when it matters most. In this role, you will:
  • Lead the development of sensor window and seeker design and analysis for Inversion flight systems.
  • Own the development of spectral camera systems, including architecture, component selection, integration, and performance trades.
  • Perform optical analyses including transmission, image quality, stray light, thermal effects, and environmental impacts on performance.
  • Work closely with mechanical, thermal, avionics, autonomy, and test teams to integrate optical hardware into flight systems.
  • Evaluate and select lenses, detectors, coatings, optical materials, and vendor solutions to meet mission requirements.
  • Assist in planning and execution of optical quality measurement tests and related validation campaigns.
  • Translate test and analysis results into clear recommendations that improve system performance and reduce risk.

Required Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or equivalent experience.
  • 9+ years of applicable experience designing, analyzing, and testing optical systems.
  • Experience with imaging systems.
  • Experience using optical design and analysis tools such as Zemax, Code V, FRED, or equivalent software.
  • Strong understanding of optical materials, coatings, sensor windows, and environmental effects on optical performance.
  • Experience planning and performing optical bench or lab testing.
  • Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Proven ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment with high ownership.
  • Must have the ability to obtain and maintain a U.S. government Secret/Top Secret security clearance.

Desired Qualifications:
  • Master's degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
  • Experience with aerospace, spaceflight, hypersonic, or reentry optical systems.
  • Experience with seeker design, boresight stability, MTF, radiometry, and stray light analysis.
  • Experience developing and qualifying camera systems for harsh environments.
  • Experience working directly with vendors to develop custom optical hardware.
  • Experience supporting environmental, field, or flight test campaigns for optical systems.

The California annual base salary for this role is currently $161,000-$221,000. Pay Grades are determined by role, level, location, and alignment with market data. Individual pay will be determined on a case-by-case basis and may vary based on the following considerations: interviews and an assessment of several factors that are unique to each candidate, job-related skills, relevant education and experience, certifications, abilities of the candidate and internal equity.
ITAR Compliance:
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. Learn more about the ITAR here.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Inversion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, veteran status, or disability.
Inversion collects and processes personal data in accordance with applicable data protection laws. If you are a US Job Applicant see the CCPA Privacy Policy Noticefor further details.