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Optics Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Tekberry

Optics Assembly Technician

Santa Clara, CA · On-site

$100/hr

Optical Assembly Technician Pay Rate: $32-$40/hour (depending on shift) Job Type: Full-Time; 2-year Contract City: Santa Clara, CA Shift(s): Mon-Fri * Day: 6:00 AM - 2:30 PM * Swing: 2:00 PM - 10:30 ...

PDF Solutions

Electron Optics Engineer

Milpitas, CA

$140K - $155K/yr

Role Summary PDF is seeking an experienced Electron Optics Engineer to work on PDF's electron beam inspection tool used for enhancing yield in state-of-the-art 300mm semiconductor fabs. We are ...

PDF Solutions

Electron Optics Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$140K - $155K/yr

Role Summary PDF is seeking an experienced Electron Optics Engineer to work on PDF's electron beam inspection tool used for enhancing yield in state-of-the-art 300mm semiconductor fabs. We are ...

Ayar Labs

Sr. Engineer, Free-Space Optics

San Jose, CA · On-site

$190K - $240K/yr

Sr. Engineer, Free-Space Optics (Test, Characterization amp; Modeling) Location: San Jose (on-site) Ayar Labs is shattering AI data bottlenecks by moving data at the speed of light. As pioneers of co ...

KLA Corporation

Optics Technology Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$159K - $271K/yr

PhD or MS in Physics, Optics, EE with a minimum of 5 years relevant industry experience. * Technical expertise in at least 2 optics areas: design, coating, metrology, optomech, materials

Orbotech

Optics Technology Manager

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$159K - $271K/yr

PhD or MS in Physics, Optics, EE with a minimum of 5 years relevant industry experience. * Technical expertise in at least 2 optics areas: design, coating, metrology, optomech, materials

Socket.dev

Staff Engineer, Optics and RF

San Carlos, CA · On-site

$219 - $276/hr

Collaborate with optics and photonics engineers to co-design electrical-to-optical and optical-to-electrical interfaces * Support the design, integration, and testing of free-space optical ...

PDF Solutions, Inc.

Electron Optics Engineer

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$140 - $155/hr

Role Summary PDF is seeking an experienced Electron Optics Engineer to work on PDF's electron beam inspection tool used for enhancing yield in state‑of‑the‑art 300 mm semiconductor fabs. We ...

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All JobsOptics JobsOptics Jobs in California

Optics information

See California salary details

$81.9K

$141.7K

$166.3K

How much do optics jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for optics in California is $141,730.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,300.00 and $164,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is optics?

Optics jobs involve working with the science and technology of light, including its generation, manipulation, transmission, and detection. Professionals in this field may work as optical engineers, technicians, or researchers, designing lenses, lasers, fiber optics, and imaging systems for applications in industries like telecommunications, healthcare, manufacturing, and defense. These roles often require a strong background in physics, mathematics, and engineering, and they can be found in both research and practical, hands-on settings.

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

To thrive as an Optics Engineer, you need a strong background in physics, mathematics, and optical engineering, typically supported by a degree in optical engineering, physics, or a related field. Familiarity with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), laser systems, and photonics instrumentation is commonly required, along with relevant certifications. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication are vital soft skills for collaborating on complex projects and conveying technical information. These skills and qualifications are crucial for developing innovative optical systems, ensuring precision, and meeting project requirements in industries like telecommunications, healthcare, and manufacturing.

What are some typical challenges faced by professionals working in optics, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in optics often encounter challenges such as keeping up with rapidly evolving technologies, ensuring precision in measurements and alignments, and troubleshooting complex optical systems. To address these issues, it's important to stay current through continued education, collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams, and develop strong problem-solving skills. Many optics roles also emphasize hands-on experience and the ability to adapt to new tools or software, so proactive learning and effective communication are key to overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Optics vs Optical Technician?

AspectOpticsOptical Technician
Required CredentialsTypically requires a degree in physics, optics, or related fieldOften requires a certificate or associate degree in optical technology
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, academiaOptical labs, manufacturing facilities, retail optical stores
Industry UsageResearch, development, manufacturing of optical devicesAssembly, testing, and fitting of optical instruments and eyewear

Optics generally refers to the scientific study and development of light and optical systems, often requiring advanced education. Optical Technicians focus on assembling, testing, and maintaining optical devices, typically with technical certifications. While both roles work within the optical industry, Optics is more research-oriented, whereas Optical Technicians are more hands-on in manufacturing and service environments.

What is a job in optics?

A job in optics involves designing, testing, and manufacturing optical devices such as lenses, microscopes, and lasers. Professionals in this field often work in research labs or manufacturing environments and may require knowledge of physics, engineering, and specialized tools like optical software or measurement instruments.

What jobs use optics?

Jobs that use optics include optical engineers, laser technicians, and photonics scientists, who design, develop, and test optical systems and devices. These roles often require knowledge of optics principles, precision measurement tools, and sometimes certifications in laser safety or optical design software. They are common in industries such as telecommunications, aerospace, medical devices, and defense.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optics jobs in California?

The most popular types of Optics jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Optics jobs in California?

For Optics jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Optics jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Optics jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Optics jobs?

Cities in California with the most Optics job openings:

Optics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optics job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, and 6% Part Time. Highlights an 92% Physical, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $141,730 per year, or $68.1 per hour.

Optical Engineer, RTP, Test Automation and Optics NPI

Meta

Menlo Park, CA

$173K/yr

Full-time

Posted 10 days ago

Meta rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

139th of 246 rated software companies

Job description

The Meta Hardware Design and Release to Production (Hardware Design and Release to Production) team ensures that the hardware running in Meta's production fleet is stable, secure, performant, and delivers the most value. Within Within this organization, the Release to Production New Product Introduction (Release to Production NPI) team finds, debugs, and remediates hardware failure modes before certifying new platforms for mass production, and then sustains them across the deployed lifecycle.We are looking for an Optical Engineer to drive optics validation within RTP-NPI — pairing deep optical-transceiver expertise with Python scripting skills to automate the testing that qualifies optical communications modules and to lead optical transceiver NPI programs end to end. In this role, you will develop optics test automation using Python scripts, drive hands-on NPI execution with vendors and ODMs through EVT/DVT/PVT to mass production, and contribute to optical networking standards and engage with ecosystem partners.
Optical Engineer, RTP, Test Automation and Optics NPI Responsibilities:
  • Develop and maintain Python scripts and test automation for qualification of optical transceivers and subsystems across EVT / DVT / PVT / characterization, using the team's existing test frameworks, instrument drivers, switch and host abstractions, and results pipelines
  • Lead optics NPI programs end to end, working closely with optics vendors and ODMs from RFI / RFP through EVT / DVT / PVT to mass production ramp and sustaining
  • Find, debug, and remediate optical hardware failure modes before certifying modules for mass production
  • drive root-cause analysis and corrective action with vendors and ODMs
  • Set up and operate NPI test stations in Meta lab regions: integrate modules, switches, and instruments, and debug at-scale, lights-out test execution
  • Define test and measurement methodologies for high-speed optical technologies, and translate them into reusable Python scripts and automation
  • Develop instrument automation and integration — BERT, OSA, optical power and wavelength meters, scopes — and CMIS register-level module control using SCPI / VISA / PyVISA and vendor APIs
  • Ensure new optical platforms are supported by production and fleet-health tooling, and contribute to production-readiness documentation including production-readiness review documentation, best-known configuration guides, and design-for-test specifications
  • Contribute to data integrity and analysis: build data capture, storage, and visualization so test and fleet results are trustworthy, queryable, and actionable
  • Provide sustaining support after deployment — validate stability, security, and performance under production workloads, and refine understanding of failure characteristics at scale
  • Contribute to engineering standards for test automation — code review, version control, documentation — and mentor engineers and technicians on Python scripting best practices and optical test methods
  • Collaborate across Software, Thermal, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering, Signal Integrity, TPM, and Production Engineering teams to integrate optics into systems
  • Interface with the industry, contribute to the RFI / RFP process, and shape product requirements, test plans, and data sheets

Minimum Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
  • 8+ years in development roles for optical networking hardware, with experience taking new optical products from development through volume production
  • Demonstrated experience writing Python scripts to automate test and measurement, including instrument control, data acquisition, and data analysis in a lab environment. Experience developing and maintaining reusable test automation in a team setting
  • Hands-on experience with high-speed optical and electrical test, test automation, and lab instrumentation
  • Experience leading optical transceiver NPI programs with vendors and/or ODMs through EVT, DVT, PVT to MP

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Familiarity with data center network architecture, fleet health and sustaining concepts, and high-volume manufacturing test flows
  • Willingness to work hands-on in the lab and to travel to vendor, ODM, and manufacturing sites as needed to support NPI builds
  • Experience in creating or influencing product requirements documents, test plans, and data sheets
  • Familiarity with additional languages where useful for test or analysis: C/C++ or MATLAB
  • Track record of mentoring engineers, improving engineering standards and practices for test automation quality, and influencing without direct authority
  • Experience using instrument-control libraries and APIs — SCPI / VISA, PyVISA, vendor APIs — to automate lab instruments including BERT, OSA, power meters, and scopes
  • Deep knowledge of pluggable optical transceivers and form factors — QSFP-DD, OSFP, QSFP112 — and the CMIS management interface
  • Experience with version control — Git or Mercurial — for managing test code in collaborative environments
  • Experience driving NPI milestones — EVT / DVT / PVT / MP — production-readiness reviews, and transferring test scripts and methods to contract manufacturers and ODM factory lines, including dual-ODM strategies
  • Experience writing Python scripts to automate tests and measurements, with familiarity in debugging, code reuse and shared libraries, and writing clean, maintainable automation
  • Ability to set technical direction across a multi-quarter NPI (New Product Introduction) program, define scope and requirements when they are initially unclear, and align cross-functional and external partners, including vendors, ODMs, TPMs, and Production Engineering
  • Experience with advanced modulation formats and direct-detect and coherent systems — OOK, PAM-4, QPSK, 8-QAM, 16-QAM — and related concepts
  • Data handling for test results: schema design, database persistence, dashboards, and statistical analysis of measurement data using NumPy, pandas, SQL or similar tools
  • Expertise in optical test and measurement: BER / FEC, pre-FEC and post-FEC analysis, eye diagrams, TDECQ, OSNR, optical spectrum, and link budgets
  • Experience with optical integration including InP PICs, silicon-photonic PICs, PIC-IC integration, and 3D optical packaging technologies

About Meta:
Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
$173,000/year to $245,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

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