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Optics Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

F2Onsite

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Data Center Fiber Optic Technician - Second Shift

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$30 - $34/hr

Data Center Fiber Optic Technician - Ashburn, VA * 2nd Shift - 4pm-12am * Start - End of July - Dec 2026 * Must have prior experience working in a Data Center Environment We are seeking an ...

F2Onsite

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Data Center Fiber Optic Technician - First Shift

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$24 - $26/hr

Data Center Fiber Optic Technician - Ashburn, VA * 1st Shift 8-5pm * Start - End of July - Dec 2026 * Must have prior experience working in a Data Center Environment We are seeking an experienced ...

E2 Optics

Technical Training Specialist

Ashburn, VA · On-site

Why E2 Optics? Join our team and shape the future of connectivity: Technical Training Specialist at E2 Optics! Are you ready to elevate your career with an award-winning, Woman-Owned technology ...

E2 Optics

Technical Training Specialist

Ashburn, VA

E2 Optics is one of the fastest-growing and most stable companies at the core of the tech industry--powering the infrastructure behind AI, cloud computing, and the innovations of tomorrow. At E2 ...

See Clearly

Optician

Mclean, VA · On-site

$17.75 - $22.75/hr

Optician At Vision Innovation Partners, we exist to protect and restore vision. Because Vision is our Mission, everyone at VIP focuses on providing great patient outcomes and experiences. A career at ...

New

SAIC

Optical Engineer

Chantilly, VA

$200K - $240K/yr

... Optics, and Telecommunications. The candidate should have experience or a willingness to work in a lab environment, contributing to innovative projects and advancing technological capabilities. KEY ...

SAIC

Optical Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$200K - $240K/yr

... Optics, and Telecommunications. The candidate should have experience or a willingness to work in a lab environment, contributing to innovative projects and advancing technological capabilities. KEY ...

SAIC

Optical Engineer

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$200K - $240K/yr

... Optics, and Telecommunications. The candidate should have experience or a willingness to work in a lab environment, contributing to innovative projects and advancing technological capabilities. KEY ...

See Clearly Vision

Optician

Mclean, VA · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

As an Optician, you will be rewarded with career growth opportunities. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: Responsibilities What You Will Do: * Guiding patients in the selection of ...

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All JobsOptics JobsOptics Jobs in Reston, VA

Optics information

See Reston, VA salary details

$86.3K

$149.4K

$175.3K

How much do optics jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for optics in Reston, VA is $149,406.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $134,200.00 and $173,700.00 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 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, development, or manufacturing environments and may require knowledge of physics, engineering, and specialized tools like optical testing equipment.

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.

Is optics a good career?

Optics is a specialized field within physics and engineering that involves designing and developing optical systems, such as lenses, lasers, and imaging devices. It offers opportunities in research, manufacturing, and technology development, often requiring strong technical skills and knowledge of physics and mathematics. The career can be stable and well-paying for those with relevant education and experience.

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 security clearances or specialized certifications. Industries include telecommunications, aerospace, medical devices, and defense.

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 are popular job titles related to Optics jobs in Reston, VA? For Optics jobs in Reston, VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Optics jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Optics jobs in Reston, VA are:
Optics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Optics job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $149,406 per year, or $71.8 per hour.

Optics Systems Engineer, Optics Systems Engineering

Amazon

Herndon, VA

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Amazon rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 7,057 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

6th of 39 rated national retailers

Job description

Amazon Optics mission is to deliver a safe and secure workplace for all Amazonians. The Systems Engineering team within Optics develops, implements and maintains the technology and infrastructure that supports the critical physical security systems for Amazon Corporate Security (ACS) and Amazon Web Services (AWS). The Optics Systems Engineering team is looking for an experienced Systems Engineer that can help deliver best-in-class physical security systems to our 2.5MM+ cardholder customer base


As the Optics Systems Engineering team's scope continues to grow, the team is seeking the technical expertise that will help build on the current infrastructure and drive development of new solutions that will exceed our customer's expectations. As a member of the team overseeing one of the largest Physical Access Control Systems in the world, the successful candidate must be comfortable with not only troubleshooting but deep diving to create solutions for issues that no other company has yet faced or solved for.
Key job responsibilities
On a "typical" day engineers might deep dive to root cause of a customer issue, investigate why a metric is trending the wrong way, consult with the top engineers at Amazon, or discuss radical new approaches to automate operational issues.
The systems engineer can look forward to:
* Investigating new ways to improve operations and defining new solutions to solve technically complex issues.
* Work with the development team to automate manual tasks and on tooling to enhance fleet maintenance
* Investigating issues that impact major services and work to solve them before they impact customers.
* Diving deep into service interdependencies and region-specific configurations to find the root of a problem.
* Studying and continuously learning from industry recognized engineers.
About the team
Diverse Experiences
Amazon Security values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply

If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying.
Why Amazon Security?
At Amazon, security is central to maintaining customer trust and delivering delightful customer experiences. Our organization is responsible for creating and maintaining a high bar for security across all of Amazon's products and services. We offer talented security professionals the chance to accelerate their careers with opportunities to build experience in a wide variety of areas including cloud, devices, retail, entertainment, healthcare, operations, and physical stores.
Inclusive Team Culture
In Amazon Security, it's in our nature to learn and be curious

Ongoing DEI events and learning experiences inspire us to continue learning and to embrace our uniqueness. Addressing the toughest security challenges requires that we seek out and celebrate a diversity of ideas, perspectives, and voices.
Training & Career Growth
We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, training, and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional.
Work/Life Balance
We value work-life harmony

Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why flexible work hours and arrangements are part of our culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve.

What Amazon employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Amazon logo

About Amazon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Amazon.com, Inc., commonly known as Amazon, is an American multinational technology company. It was founded by Jeff Bezos in 1994 and initially started as an online marketplace for books. Since then, Amazon has expanded its operations and become one of the largest e-commerce companies in the world. Amazon's primary business is its online retail platform, where customers can purchase a vast array of products, including electronics, clothing, books, home goods, and much more. The company offers a convenient and user-friendly shopping experience, with features such as fast shipping, customer reviews, and personalized recommendations. In addition to its e-commerce platform, Amazon has diversified its business into various other areas. One of its notable ventures is Amazon Web Services (AWS), a comprehensive cloud computing platform that provides services such as storage, compute power, and database management to individuals and businesses. AWS has become a leader in the cloud computing industry, powering many websites and applications worldwide. Amazon has also developed its own consumer electronics, including the popular Amazon Kindle e-reader, Fire tablets, Fire TV streaming devices, and the Alexa-powered Echo smart speakers. The Alexa voice assistant, integrated into these devices, allows users to interact with their devices using voice commands, perform tasks, and access information. Furthermore, Amazon has expanded into media and entertainment. It operates Prime Video, a streaming service that offers a wide range of movies, TV shows, and original content. Amazon Music provides a platform for streaming and purchasing digital music, while Audible offers audiobooks and other audio content. The company's commitment to customer satisfaction and convenience is demonstrated by its membership program, Amazon Prime. Prime members receive various benefits, including free two-day shipping, access to streaming services, exclusive deals, and more.

Industry

It services, book publishers, retail, real estate and computer and electronic product manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Seattle, WA, US

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