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Senior Optical Jobs (NOW HIRING)

ABB OPTICAL Group

Sr. Optical Specialist

Pittsburgh, PA

$18.75 - $24.28/hr

Sr. Optical Specialist JOB SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVE The Senior Optical Specialist is responsible for the timely, efficient, and accurate processing of products in the lab. A Senior Optical Specialist is ...

AURA

Senior Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$134K - $169K/yr

The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...

BAE Systems

Eng Sr - Optical

Merrimack, NH · On-site

$97.01K - $164.91K/yr

The Senior Optical Design Engineer will develop and mature advanced EO/IR system concepts. Work will support development of next-generation Precision Pointers, Laser Systems, Imaging Systems, and ...

QuEra Computing, Inc.

Senior Optical Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$113.50K - $155.90K/yr

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

National Solar Observatory

Senior Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$126.50K - $163.70K/yr

The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...

ABB Optical Group

Sr. Optical Specialist

Pittsburgh, PA · On-site

$18.75 - $24.28/hr

Sr. Optical Specialist JOB SUMMARY AND OBJECTIVE The Senior Optical Specialist is responsible for the timely, efficient, and accurate processing of products in the lab. A Senior Optical Specialist is ...

QuEra Computing, Inc.

Senior Optical Engineer

Boston, MA

$113.50K - $155.90K/yr

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

Rivet Industries

Senior Optical Engineer

San Jose, CA · On-site

$200K - $275K/yr

Senior Optical Engineer Location: 2550 N First Street Suite 250, San Jose, California 95131 Compensation*: $200,000-$275,000 USD + benefits Role Description: We are seeking a motivated Senior Optical ...

IonQ

Senior Optical Engineer

Bothell, WA · On-site +1

$114.75K - $150.24K/yr

We are looking for a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Quantum Networking Group. As an Optical Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to ...

NSS

Sr. Optical Communications Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$132.70K - $171.70K/yr

Senior Optical Communication Engineer Would you enjoy working with a collaborative team of engineers to design and build satellite based optical communications laser terminals including optical inter ...

Wilcox Industries

Senior Optical Engineer

Newington, NH · On-site

$106.50K - $146.20K/yr

The Senior Optical Engineer (OE) serves as the company's technical authority for optical systems engineering and works with a cross-functional team to ensure Wilcox is delivering a best-in-class ...

Wilcox Industries

Senior Optical Engineer

Portsmouth, NH · On-site

$106.50K - $146.20K/yr

The Senior Optical Engineer (OE) serves as the company's technical authority for optical systems engineering and works with a cross-functional team to ensure Wilcox is delivering a best-in-class ...

KLA Corporation

Senior Optical Engineer (E)

Milpitas, CA

$125.10K - $212.70K/yr

The senior optical engineer in the LS-Swift group will support current projects and also work on future generation products. The successful candidate will have good physics knowledge of classical ...

Foxconn Industrial Internet

Senior Optical Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$123.20K - $159.50K/yr

We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through ...

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Senior Optical information

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$25K

$80.3K

$163.5K

How much do senior optical jobs pay per year?

As of May 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior optical in the United States is $80,287.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $41,500.00 and $103,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Optical vs Optical Technician?

AspectSenior OpticalOptical Technician
Required CredentialsOptical-related certifications, experience in optical design or managementOptical dispensing certifications, technical training
Work EnvironmentDesign labs, research facilities, or management rolesOptical retail stores, labs, manufacturing facilities
Employer & Industry UsageOptical companies, healthcare, research institutionsOptical retail chains, labs, manufacturing firms
Common Search & ComparisonHigher-level responsibilities, design, and supervisionTechnical assembly, fitting, and testing

Senior Optical professionals typically handle advanced design, management, or supervisory tasks within optical companies or research settings. In contrast, Optical Technicians focus on technical assembly, fitting, and testing of optical devices or eyewear. While both roles require specialized training, Senior Optical roles involve more experience and higher-level responsibilities, whereas Optical Technicians are more hands-on with technical tasks.

More about Senior Optical jobs
What cities are hiring for Senior Optical jobs? Cities with the most Senior Optical job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optical jobs? The most popular types of Optical jobs are:
What states have the most Senior Optical jobs? States with the most job openings for Senior Optical jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Senior Optical jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Optical jobs are:
Senior Optical jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Optical job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 4% As Needed, 26% Full Time, 68% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 22% Physical, 28% Hybrid, and 50% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Sr. Optical Engineer

Sr. Optical Engineer

Malin Space Science Systems, Inc.

San Diego, CA

$140/hr

Full-time

Posted 2 days ago

Job description

Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) is a private technology company that designs, develops and operates space camera systems for government and commercial aerospace customers and provides services in spacecraft instrument operations and space science research. The Camera Systems Group (CSG) seeks a Sr. Optical Engineer with experience designing and building visible, infrared, and UV optics for camera systems, managing optics subcontracts, developing and executing optical calibration and metrology procedures, and solving challenging optics measurement problems.
The Sr. Optical Engineer works with Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and customer teams to specify, scope, design, produce, and verify optics to mission requirements. They identify and help solve design challenges associated with the harsh environments of launch and operation in interplanetary space and during encounters with celestial bodies for both robotic and human spaceflight. The Sr. Optical Engineer manages subcontracts for optical parts, materials, coatings, and assemblies and the development of in-house production and test capabilities.
Essential Functions
  • Specifies optical systems for high-level mission requirements
  • Completes initial conceptual and detailed flight designs of camera optics
  • Manages glass availability through production lifecycles
  • Designs for athermalization and stray light minimization
  • Completes Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) Analysis
  • Develops calibration plans to verify mission requirements, including but not limited to focus/MTF, flat field imaging, radiometry and spectral response, distortion/camera models, boresight alignment
  • Writes performance specification and statements of work for optical subcontracts
  • Manages subcontractors for performance of optical processing, fabrication, and assembly
  • Presents at design reviews
  • Prior to entering assembly, test, storage or development areas within the Camera Systems Group unescorted, receive initial and ongoing annual training in the fundamentals of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD)

Pay Range: $140-165K
Non-Essential Functions
  • Performs other duties as required which may become essential functions

Minimum Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Physics; Masters or PhD preferred
  • 8-10 years minimum of relevant experience 
  • Must have extensive experience using ZEMAX optical design software
  • Familiarity with optics assembly techniques for space-based optical systems
  • Experience with radiation-hardened optical design
  • Experience with collimation measurement techniques
  • Experience with laser interferometric measurement of wavefront error
  • Experience with radiometric calibration
  • Knowledge of visible and infrared sensor physics and performance limitations
  • Experience with boresight alignment and metrology
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of clearly explain technical issues and ideas to peers, management, and customer representatives

Physical Requirements
Must be able to comprehend and communicate complex technical and engineering concepts. Must be able to remain in a stationary position while operating a computer for prolonged periods of time. Ability to work and move around in a cleanroom environment, wearing required outer garments including smock/coveralls, shoe covers, mask, hood and gloves. Moves in and around a lab space. Ability to handle high stress levels in connection with multiple conflicting priorities and deadlines. High tolerance for ambiguity and shifting expectations. Strong analytical and organizational skills with ability to prioritize workload.
Disclaimer
The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position.
 

View MSSS Benefits 
MSSS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of any protected status, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals who are unable to use this online system due to a disability.
To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact egomez@msss.com 

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