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Remote Optical Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Muon Space

Staff Optical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$184K - $223K/yr

About the role Muon seeks a Staff Optical Engineer to act as a technical lead on our team in San Jose, CA or Remote, developing infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self ...

The Aerospace Corporation

Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site +1

$137K - $177K/yr

At the Mission Payloads Division (MPD), we are pioneers in remote sensing systems that guide our ... The Optical Communications Department provides technical leadership to US Government activities ...

Muon Space

Staff Optical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$184K - $223K/yr

About the role Muon seeks a Staff Optical Engineer to act as a technical lead on our team in San Jose, CA or Remote, developing infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self ...

Race Communications

Fiber Designer I - Remote

Merced, CA · Remote

$27 - $30/hr

Remote: California Location Status: Work will be primarily performed remotely from home office ... The Fiber Designer 1 plays a key role in the planning and design of fiber optic networks, ensuring ...

Race Communications

Fiber Designer I - Remote

Phelan, CA · Remote

$27 - $30/hr

Remote: California Location Status: Work will be primarily performed remotely from home office ... The Fiber Designer 1 plays a key role in the planning and design of fiber optic networks, ensuring ...

Muon Space

Senior Optomechanical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site +1

$184K - $223K/yr

Previous experience developing optical and infrared instruments and associated test infrastructure for space remote sensing in fast-paced and small-team environments is preferred. Responsibilities

MatX

HighSpeed Lab Manager

Mountain View, CA · Remote

$175K - $362K/yr

... optical test lab. This is an active role focused on maintaining equipment, board rework, bench organization, inventory, and remote support.The ideal candidate handles technical troubleshooting ...

New

Nokia

Staff PIC Process Engineer

Sunnyvale, CA · On-site +1

... with remote fabrication partners . You will play a key role in enabling nextgeneration optical component technologies that support Nokia's highcapacity optical networking platforms. * Ph.D. in ...

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Remote Optical information

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$10

$21

$36

How much do remote optical jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for remote optical in California is $21.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $23.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a typical workday look like for a Remote Optical Technician?

As a Remote Optical Technician, your daily responsibilities often include reviewing patient prescriptions, conducting virtual fittings or measurements, verifying order accuracy, and providing remote customer support via phone or video conferencing. You may collaborate with optometrists, optical labs, or retail teams to troubleshoot issues and ensure expedited order fulfillment. The work is typically computer-based and may involve flexible shifts, allowing you to serve patients from various locations. This remote role combines technical tasks with frequent digital communication, making strong organization and self-management important for success.

What is a Remote Optical job?

A Remote Optical job involves performing optical-related tasks, such as eyewear fitting, lens recommendations, or vision assessments, from a remote location. Professionals in this role may assist customers via video calls, phone, or online platforms to provide optical guidance. This job is common in tele-optometry, online eyewear retailers, and virtual optical consultations. It allows optical professionals to work flexibly without being physically present in a store or clinic.

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

To thrive as a Remote Optical Technician, you need a solid background in optical sciences or optometry support, experience with lens fabrication or prescription validation, and sometimes a relevant certification such as ABO (American Board of Opticianry) certification. Proficiency with digital lens measurement tools, remote diagnostic platforms, and practice management systems is important for efficiently performing remote duties. Strong communication, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills help you effectively serve patients and collaborate with other eye care professionals from a distance. These abilities ensure accuracy and reliability in optical services while maintaining a high standard of patient care remotely.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical jobs in California? The most popular types of Optical jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Remote Optical jobs in California? For Remote Optical jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Remote Optical jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Remote Optical jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Remote Optical jobs? Cities in California with the most Remote Optical job openings:
Remote Optical jobs near you
Infographic showing various Remote Optical job openings in California as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 94% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 100% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,009 per year, or $21.2 per hour.
Staff Optical Engineer

Staff Optical Engineer

Muon Space

San Jose, CA • On-site, Remote

$184K - $223K/yr

Other

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

About the role

Muon seeks a Staff Optical Engineer to act as a technical lead on our team in San Jose, CA or Remote, developing infrared remote sensing instruments. The ideal candidate is a self-motivated expert with a versatile skill set, comfortable diving into everything from conceptual design and error budgeting to precision optical metrology and rigorous hardware execution. In this role, you will be the definitive technical authority for a new optical subsystem, owning the performance metrics while defining and driving the hands-on assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) of critical optical and optomechanical subsystems. Previous experience driving end-to-end optical development, managing stringent performance budgets, and integrating complex electro-optical systems in a fast-paced, small-team environment is required.

Responsibilities
  • Own the delivery of optical subsystems to the instrument program as the primary technical lead.
  • Own and manage comprehensive optical error budgets and performance metrics, including image quality (MTF, WFE), stray light, and radiometric throughput (BOL/EOL transmission) from conceptual design through hardware build and test.
  • Collaborate with systems engineering to support cross-functional technical budgets, including thermal constraints and line-of-sight pointing/jitter, ensuring adequate margins throughout development.
  • Define and drive the strategy for optical instrument assembly, integration, and test (AI&T) planning and implementation, leading collaboration across cross-functional teams.
  • Support subsystem and instrument level functional, performance, and environmental testing (including vibration, thermal-vacuum/TVAC, and thermal stress).
  • Champion the continuous improvement of testing methodologies, tools, and best practices to enhance overall efficiency and reliability in instrument development.
Qualifications
  • Ph.D. and 5+ years of experience developing imaging systems and infrared remote sensing instruments within a multi-disciplinary environment; or M.S. and 8+ years industry experience; or B.S. and 10+ years industry experience.
  • Expertise in optical design and analysis (Zemax, Code V, FRED), including interpreting STOP analysis, allocating error budgets, and developing component specifications with vendors.
  • Extensive hands-on experience with precision optical metrology, advanced AI&T execution, root cause analysis, and rigorous test data reporting.
  • Software proficiency in one or more languages (e.g., Python, C++) for data analysis and automation.
  • Demonstrated technical leadership and project management skills, with the ability to clearly communicate and collaborate across optomechanical, mechanical, and thermal teams.
  • Ability to obtain security clearance strongly preferred.
Nice-to-have Skills
  • Exposure to systems engineering, specifically requirements development and V&V.
  • Experience working in cleanroom environments.
  • Experience supporting integrated spacecraft-level environmental testing and launch campaigns.
Salary

The salary range for this role is $184,000 - $223,000, plus a competitive equity grant and comprehensive benefits package. Final compensation will be determined based on skills, qualifications, experience, and geographic location as assessed during the interview process. 

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