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Principal Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

QuEra Computing, Inc.

Principal Optical Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

Principal Optical Engineer The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Principal Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company ...

QuEra Computing, Inc.

Principal Optical Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

Principal Optical Engineer The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Principal Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company ...

Koch Industries

Principal Optical Engineer

Bridgewater, NJ · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

As a senior technical leader, the Principal Optical Engineer will mentor and guide junior, intermediate, and senior engineers, fostering technical growth, ensuring high engineering standards, and ...

Inuplands

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

We are seeking an innovative and driven Principal Optical Engineer (PMTS) to lead the charge in developing next-generation optical sensors. In this role, you will bridge the gap between ...

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical expertise, hands-on implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time ...

SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP

$200 - $250/hr

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical expertise, hands‑on implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in ...

Atom Computing

Principal Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$160K - $185K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement rigorous standards for optical engineering, ensuring design integrity through detailed modeling and ...

Atom Computing

Principal Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$160K - $185K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement rigorous standards for optical engineering, ensuring design integrity through detailed modeling and ...

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical expertise, hands-on implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time ...

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$130K - $169K/yr

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical expertise, hands-on implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time ...

Draper

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$95K - $245K/yr

We are seeking an innovative and driven Principal Optical Engineer (PMTS) to lead the charge in developing next-generation optical sensors and corresponding processing algorithms. In this role, you ...

Atom Computing

Principal Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$160K - $185K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement rigorous standards for optical engineering, ensuring design integrity through detailed modeling and ...

Draper Inc.

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

## Principal Optical EngineerApplyremote type: Onsite Requiredlocations: Cambridge, MAtime type: Full ... Our multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists work in a collaborative environment that ...

QinetiQ US

Principal Optical Engineer

Lorton, VA · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Position Overview QinetiQ US is seeking an experienced Principal Optical Engineer with strong laboratory and prototype integration experience to support system integration on multiple defense ...

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How much do principal optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for principal optical engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal optical engineer?

A Principal Optical Engineer is a senior-level optical engineering professional responsible for designing, developing, and optimizing optical systems for various applications, such as telecommunications, aerospace, medical devices, or consumer electronics. They lead projects, collaborate with cross-functional teams, and ensure system performance meets technical requirements. Additionally, they may mentor junior engineers, conduct simulations and testing, and contribute to innovation in optical technologies. Their role requires expertise in optical design software, fabrication techniques, and a strong understanding of physics and engineering principles.

What does a principal optical engineer do?

As a Principal Optical Engineer, you will typically lead the design and development of advanced optical systems, such as imaging devices, laser modules, or photonic components. You may oversee project teams, coordinate interdisciplinary efforts with electrical and mechanical engineers, and provide technical direction for prototype and production phases. Regular responsibilities include conducting simulations, evaluating prototypes, resolving complex technical issues, and ensuring all solutions meet performance, safety, and cost requirements. This role often involves mentoring junior engineers and influencing long-term technology strategy within your organization.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a principal optical engineer?

Excelling as a Principal Optical Engineer requires deep expertise in optical design, photonic systems, and hands-on experience with lasers, imaging, and fiber optics, typically supported by an advanced degree in physics, optics, or engineering. Proficiency with optical simulation and CAD software (such as Zemax, Code V, or LightTools), as well as familiarity with relevant industry standards and certifications, is essential. Strong leadership, project management, and cross-functional communication skills help set professionals apart in this senior role. These competencies enable effective design, implementation, and leadership of complex optical projects, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and innovation within the field.

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Principal Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Optical Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 92% Full Time, 3% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $147,220 per year, or $70.8 per hour.

Principal Optical Engineer

Boston, MA • On-site

QuEra Computing, Inc.
Scientific Research and Development Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about QuEra Computing, Inc.external

$180K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design and develop optical modules to support neutral atom quantum computers throughout the full development lifecycle.

  • Lead an interdisciplinary team through the product development process from concept to production.

  • Troubleshoot technical issues at company headquarters and customer locations in coordination with support teams.

Job description

Principal Optical Engineer

The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Principal Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company's mission of building state-of-the-art, manufacturable, and deployable neutral atom quantum computers. The Hardware Engineering Group plays a crucial role in accelerating the company's technology leadership and translating the company's scientific breakthroughs into products delivered to customers. To accomplish this mission, we are looking to hire a candidate with graduate-level education in optics, optical engineering, or applied physics with industry experience in an enterprise engineering environment. The ideal candidate will combine a deep, fundamental understanding of several areas of optics, design, and engineering. Although candidates with a Ph.D. in physics may be considered, applicants should ensure they have sufficient professional experience beyond academia in an enterprise engineering environment to establish themselves independently as a Principal-level engineer.

Key Job Responsibilities
  • Optical module design and development
  • Work with physicists to understand requirements and architect optical systems, sub-systems, modules, and components to support QuEra's neutral atom computers through the full development lifecycle (R&D, productization, maintenance, and beyond).
  • Technically lead an interdisciplinary team of engineers (optical, electronic, mechanical, etc.) through the product development process to take an optical module from early phase concept through to implementation and production.
  • Advance state-of-the-art engineering practices at QuEra through independent research, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Coordinate closely with the R&D/science team to enable cutting-edge R&D and translate scientific advances into the next generation of products.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues at company headquarters and off-site installations at customer locations (in coordination with local support team).
Qualifications

Required:

  • Master's degree in optics, optical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field.
  • 10-15 years non-academic work experience.  Experience at an enterprise scale as well as startup preferred.
  • Deep experience and knowledge of 
    • Free-space optics
    • Lens design
    • Fiber optics
    • Lasers
    • Optical system characterization and testing
    • Opto-mechanics
  • Experience bringing complex optical systems from concept to production
  • Expertise with using Mechanical CAD software (e.g. Inventor, Solidworks), Product Data Management (PDM) software, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software
  • Expertise with Optical simulation software (e.g. Zemax)

Preferred:

  • Experience with quantum computing, especially neutral atom
  • Professional work experience in commercial product development and off-site product deployment at customer premises.

#LI-DA1

The approximate base salary range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000.

We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly.  We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience.  In addition to our base salary offerings, we also provide equity grants for all new hires.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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