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Remote Optical Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA (NOW HIRING)

IonQ

Senior Optical Research Engineer

Bothell, WA · On-site +1

$114K - $150K/yr

As an Senior Optical Research Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to build the world's best quantum computers to solve the world's most ...

Duranta

Computer Vision Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site +1

$160K - $275K/yr

... from optical imagery. RESPONSIBILITIES & FOCUS AREAS * Building the components of a ... Experience with high-res aerial/remote sensing imagery and LiDAR * Experience with self-supervised ...

Trilon

Senior Bridge Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site +1

$118K - $163K/yr

Remote opportunities may be available for the right candidate. At Horrocks, we believe the best ... As a Senior Bridge Engineer, you will support the engineering design of structures. You will ...

DocuSign

Senior Machine Learning Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site +1

$186K - $300K/yr

Employee divides their time between in-office and remote work. Access to an office location is ... Expereience with software engineering fundamentals (Python, C++, or Go), CI/CD for ML, and ...

CoreWeave

Systems Engineer, VDI Platform

Bellevue, WA · Remote

This role owns that expansion as the sole DRI for the Next Gen VDI platform: the remote-compute infrastructure powering hundreds of engineers, network operators, and support teams company-wide. You ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsRemote Optical Engineer JobsRemote Optical Engineer Jobs in Seattle, WA

Remote Optical Engineer information

See Seattle, WA salary details

$94.5K

$163.4K

$191.8K

How much do remote optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average yearly pay for remote optical engineer in Seattle, WA is $163,433.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $146,800.00 and $190,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the Remote Optical Engineer position, and why are they important?

To excel as a Remote Optical Engineer, you need a solid understanding of optics, photonics, and optical system design, typically backed by a relevant engineering degree. Familiarity with simulation tools such as Zemax or LightTools, CAD software, and possibly certifications in optical engineering or fiber optics is highly valuable. Strong problem-solving, effective communication, and self-motivation are key soft skills, especially when working remotely. These skills are vital for delivering precise optical solutions, collaborating efficiently across virtual teams, and managing projects independently.

What are some typical projects or challenges a Remote Optical Engineer might work on?

As a Remote Optical Engineer, you may work on projects ranging from designing lenses or laser systems to optimizing fiber optic communications or developing imaging devices. Common challenges include troubleshooting optical alignment remotely, accurately simulating system performance, and ensuring close collaboration with mechanical and electrical engineering teams across different time zones. The ability to communicate technical concepts clearly and navigate virtual project management tools is essential for success. These diverse projects offer opportunities to innovate, enhance your technical skills, and contribute to cutting-edge technologies from anywhere.

What is a Remote Optical Engineer job?

A Remote Optical Engineer designs, analyzes, and tests optical systems and components while working from a remote location. They may be involved in developing lenses, fiber optics, laser systems, or imaging technologies for industries like telecommunications, healthcare, or aerospace. Using simulations and modeling software, they optimize optical performance and troubleshoot design challenges. Collaboration with teams happens virtually, requiring strong communication skills. This role often demands expertise in optics, photonics, and related engineering principles.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA? The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Optical Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA? For Remote Optical Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Optical Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Optical Engineer jobs in Seattle, WA are:
What cities near Seattle, WA are hiring for Remote Optical Engineer jobs? Cities near Seattle, WA with the most Remote Optical Engineer job openings:
Remote Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Optical Engineer job openings in Seattle, WA as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 56% Full Time, 37% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $163,433 per year, or $78.6 per hour.
Staff Electro-Optical Payload Engineer

Staff Electro-Optical Payload Engineer

BlackSky

Tukwila, WA • On-site, Remote

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Staff Electro-Optical Payload Engineer
About Us:
BlackSky is a real-time intelligence company. We own and operate the world's most advanced space-based intelligence platform and provide customers satellite imagery, automated analytics and high-frequency monitoring of strategic locations, economic assets and events from around the globe. BlackSky is trusted by the most demanding allied military and intelligence organizations and commercial companies to deliver foresight into critical matters that affect national security and the economy. BlackSky's data enables governments and businesses to see, understand and anticipate change as it happens, giving them the ultimate strategic advantage so they can act quickly. Our global team works with cutting-edge technology to make a difference around the world and prides itself on being people-first, customer-focused and fun.
BlackSky is looking for a strong Staff EO Payload Engineer to work with BlackSky's Payload and Constellation Engineering teams to architect, design, and test new EO payload concepts to broaden our growing portfolio of imaging payloads. You'll have the opportunity to influence the design and development of new payloads, develop the associated integration and test strategies, and support instruments through on-orbit commissioning and longer-term characterization and calibration. You'll work closely with and support our Image Processing and Satellite Operations organizations to help design the processing and operations frameworks to characterize, optimize, and improve payload performance for satellites throughout their operational lifetimes on orbit. Your particular emphasis will be on the testing and satellite integration of a new payload and its sensors across its entire lifecycle. You will have the exciting opportunity to not only develop a new payload but also a new optical test facility for it.
Because of the emphasis on testing and integration, this role needs to be proximal to our satellite production facility in Tukwila, WA once hardware starts arriving. This means that while a candidate can start remote but must be local by the end of 2026 and comfortable in a hybrid capacity.
Responsibilities:
  • Develop comprehensive integration, requirements verification, and test strategies for EO payloads.
  • Develop and maintain optical and sensor test facilities.
  • Test payloads and support the production team as they integrate your payloads onto satellites.
  • Partner with engineering, program management, and production to ensure comprehensive and efficient end-to-end validation of payload test from plan through design and execution.
  • Define requirements for and oversee the design and build of test Ground Support Equipment (GSE) and other test infrastructure for the payload.
  • Support the development of new EO payload architectures and concepts.
  • Simulate and analyses new sensors, designs, and/or phenomonologies to support R&D and technical strategy development.
  • Develop optical system requirements associated with new designs.
  • Provide technical assistance and oversight with design procurement and integration.
  • Support the characterization and commissioning activities of orbital imaging systems.
  • Evaluate on-orbit imaging systems performance, compare with your ground predictions, and evolve your test & performance prediction capabilities.
  • Other job-related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:
  • At least 10 years of experience in technical engineering roles involving the specification, modeling, design, integration, and/or test of imaging or non-imaging optical systems and associated components/subsystems, particularly the testing of space-based optical systems.
  • Bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or other area of appropriate technical focus (or equivalent experience of four additional years).
  • Hands-on laboratory experience and familiarity with typical optical test and meteorology instrumentation and practices, e.g., interferometers, theodolite/laser tracker, optical alignment.
  • Proficiency in at least one computer language with an emphasis on numerical or technical computing.
  • Strong technical grasp of the physics of optical image formation and associated detector phenomenology, especially in the visible and infrared spectra.
  • Proficiency with radiometry, optical imaging and detection figures of merit, and optical system performance modeling/estimation/simulation.
  • Adept with developing concise specifications for optical systems within a well-defined, systematic requirements framework.
  • Familiarity with satellite/payload interface and CONOPs constraints and associated systems engineering.
  • Due to program requirements, this position requires holding US citizenship.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Post graduate degree in a relevant technical field.
  • Direct experience in spaceborne optical remote sensing systems.
  • Direct experience in focal plane array design and engineering.
  • Direct experience in satellite radiometric, spatial, and spectral calibration.
  • Proficiency with numerical and technical programming in Python.
  • Familiarity and experience with a technical discipline complementary to optics, e.g., mechanical, thermal, electrical engineering.

Life at BlackSky for full-time US benefits eligible employees includes:
  • Medical, dental, vision, disability, group term life and AD&D, voluntary life and AD&D insurance
    • BlackSky pays 100% of employee-only premiums for medical, dental and vision and contributes $100/month for out-of-pocket expenses!
  • 15 days of PTO, 11 Company holidays, four Floating Holidays (pro-rated based on hire date), one day of paid volunteerism leave per year, parental leave and more
  • 401(k) pre-tax and Roth deferral options with employer match
  • Flexible Spending Accounts
  • Employee Stock Purchase Program
  • Employee Assistance and Travel Assistance Programs
  • Employer matching donations
  • Professional development
  • Mac or PC? Your choice!
  • Awesome swag

The anticipated salary range for candidates in Seattle, WA is $155,000-180,000 per year. The final compensation package offered to a successful candidate will be dependent on specific background and education. BlackSky is a multi-state employer and this pay scale may not reflect salary ranges in other states or locations outside of Seattle, WA.
BlackSky is committed to hiring and retaining a diverse workforce. We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer All Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by law.
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. #LI-Hybrid
EEO/AAP/ Pay Transparency Statements:
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf
https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf
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About BlackSky

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing

Company size

11 - 50 Employees

Headquarters location

Herndon, VA, US

Year founded

2013

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