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Senior Optical Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL (NOW HIRING)

Photon Queue Inc.

Senior Optical Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Role Summary The Senior Optical Engineer owns the optical engine of Photon Queue's quantum memory platform. In this role you will take end-to-end ownership of the optical system design - from ...

Photon Queue Inc.

Senior Optical Engineer

Lemont, IL · On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Role Summary The Senior Optical Engineer owns the optical engine of Photon Queue's quantum memory platform. In this role you will take end-to-end ownership of the optical system design - from ...

Photon Queue Inc.

Senior Optical Scientist

Lemont, IL · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

Life at Photon Queue We're an early-stage, fast-growing team of physicists and engineers turning ... Role Summary The Senior Optical Scientist executes the hands-on R&D work that moves our technology ...

Photon Queue Inc.

Senior Optical Scientist

Lemont, IL · On-site

$92K - $126K/yr

Life at Photon Queue We're an early-stage, fast-growing team of physicists and engineers turning ... Role Summary The Senior Optical Scientist executes the hands-on R&D work that moves our technology ...

Photon Queue Inc.

Senior Optical Scientist

Lemont, IL · On-site

$130 - $150/hr

Life at Photon Queue We're an early‑stage, fast‑growing team of physicists and engineers ... Role Summary The Senior Optical Scientist executes the hands‑on R&D work that moves our ...

Koch Industries

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Lisle, IL · On-site

$120K - $160K/yr

Your Job Molex is seeking an innovative Senior Mechanical Engineer to join our R&D team. This team ... Our Team Molex's Optical Connectivity Group is at the forefront of designing and delivering cutting ...

J A Watts, LLC

Senior Project Engineer I

Lisle, IL

$115K - $140K/yr

... optic networks. The Senior Project Engineer I will play an active role in the development of plans, specifications, estimates and reports in support of projects for both vertical and horizontal ...

J A Watts Inc

Senior Project Engineer I

Lisle, IL · On-site

$124K - $156K/yr

... optic networks. The Senior Project Engineer I will play an active role in the development of plans, specifications, estimates and reports in support of projects for both vertical and horizontal ...

viaPhoton

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Aurora, IL · On-site

$103K - $136K/yr

About the Role You'll lead mechanical product design for the next generation of our fiber optic ... Senior Mechanical Engineer JD What's in it for you? * Robust health, dental, and vision coverage ...

viaPhoton

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $142K/yr

About the Role You'll lead mechanical product design for the next generation of our fiber optic ... Senior Mechanical Engineer JD What's in it for you? * Robust health, dental, and vision coverage ...

viaPhoton

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Naperville, IL

$104K - $137K/yr

About the Role You'll lead mechanical product design for the next generation of our fiber optic ... Senior Mechanical Engineer JD What's in it for you? * Robust health, dental, and vision coverage ...

Midwest Vision Partners

Senior Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$105K - $118K/yr

Senior Engineer, Modern Workplace Midwest Vision Partners is looking for a Senior Engineer, Modern ... Vision and optical benefits* 401(k) retirement plan with company match* Flexible spending accounts*

EmergencyMD

Senior Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$105 - $118/hr

Senior Engineer, Modern Workplace Midwest Vision Partners is looking for a Senior Engineer, Modern ... Vision and optical benefits * 401(k) retirement plan with company match * Flexible spending ...

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All JobsOptical Engineer JobsSenior Optical Engineer JobsSenior Optical Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Senior Optical Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$61.3K

$130.5K

$189.2K

How much do senior optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior optical engineer in Chicago, IL is $130,470.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $107,700.00 and $147,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a senior optical engineer do?

A Senior Optical Engineer is responsible for designing, developing, and testing optical systems and components, such as lenses, lasers, and imaging devices. They often work on projects involving fiber optics, sensors, and advanced photonics technologies. Senior Optical Engineers lead technical teams, troubleshoot complex optical issues, and collaborate with other engineers to integrate optical solutions into larger systems. Their expertise is essential in industries like telecommunications, medical devices, aerospace, and consumer electronics.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior optical engineer?

To thrive as a Senior Optical Engineer, you need advanced knowledge of optics, physics, and optical system design, typically supported by a degree in optical engineering or a related field and several years of industry experience. Expertise with optical design software (such as Zemax or Code V), CAD tools, and familiarity with relevant standards and certifications are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication set top candidates apart, especially when leading teams or interfacing with clients. These skills ensure the development of innovative, precise optical solutions that meet technical and business objectives.

What are the typical collaboration opportunities for a senior optical engineer within multidisciplinary teams?

As a Senior Optical Engineer, you will frequently collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to develop and integrate optical systems into larger products. This role often involves working closely with project managers to align technical requirements and timelines, as well as coordinating with manufacturing teams to ensure prototypes are feasible and scalable. Effective cross-functional communication and a proactive approach to problem-solving are key, as you may also contribute to design reviews and mentor junior engineers. These collaborations not only support project success but also provide valuable exposure to diverse technical perspectives, fostering ongoing professional growth.

What is the difference between Senior Optical Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectSenior Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field; 5+ years experienceBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field; 1-3 years experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, R&D departmentsDesign, testing, and development in labs or production settings
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, aerospace, defense, medical devicesOptical product companies, research institutions, manufacturing

Senior Optical Engineers typically have more experience and responsibilities, including leading projects and mentoring. Optical Engineers focus on designing and testing optical systems. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds but differ in experience level and scope of work.

What are the most commonly searched types of Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

The most popular types of Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL?

For Senior Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Optical Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:

What cities near Chicago, IL are hiring for Senior Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities near Chicago, IL with the most Senior Optical Engineer job openings:

Senior Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Optical Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 49% In-person, and 51% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $130,470 per year, or $62.7 per hour.

Senior Optical Engineer

Photon Queue Inc.

Lemont, IL • On-site

$130K - $170K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 5 hours ago

Job description

Company Overview
Photon Queue builds the world's leading quantum memory devices - systems that store and release single photons. Using a unique free-space storage architecture that achieves kilometer-scale optical path lengths in a compact form factor, we sidestep the fundamental limitations of every competing approach and deliver storage fidelity and efficiency levels that no other technology can match in a device that can actually be deployed and integrated into real quantum systems.
We're solving a critical infrastructure problem for the quantum ecosystem: without a reliable way to synchronize photons across a quantum network or photonic processor, the promise of quantum computing, sensing, and communications stalls. Photon Queue is the synchronization layer that makes progress possible. Our systems are already in use at Sandia National Laboratories and the University of Maryland, and demand is growing fast.
Life at Photon Queue
We're an early-stage, fast-growing team of physicists and engineers turning two decades of laboratory research into the best commercial quantum memory platform. With strong institutional backing and commercial traction at leading national labs, we're at an exciting breakout moment - the kind where the work you do today directly shapes the trajectory of the company tomorrow.
There's no corporate bureaucracy here, just sharp people working on hard problems, with direct ownership over what they build and clear visibility into its impact. Every person on the team shapes the product and the company. If you thrive in an environment where your work matters from day one and where espresso, rigor, and curiosity are the culture, you'll fit right in.
Role Summary
The Senior Optical Engineer owns the optical engine of Photon Queue's quantum memory platform. In this role you will take end-to-end ownership of the optical system design - from customer and system requirements through to the final product. Working within a cross-functional team, you will develop the full 3D optical layout, formulate alignment strategies, build optical performance models, perform stray light, sensitivity, and tolerance analyses, prescribe component specifications, and qualify hardware performance. As the technical authority on everything light touches in the system, your designs set the performance floor that everything else is built around.
Location: On-site, Chicago area
We are an in-office company, and our expectation is that employees primarily work from their Photon Queue office 5 days a week. However, we also recognize the importance of flexibility and trust our employees to manage their schedules responsibly. This may include occasional remote work, starting the day with morning meetings from home before heading to the office, or leaving earlier when needed to accommodate family commitments.
Compensation
  • Salary: $130k - $170k
  • Equity: 0.3% - 0.6%

Responsibilities
Concept Development
  • Translate system-level and customer requirements into detailed optical requirements, and run trade studies on competing optical architectures to guide early design decisions
  • Assess feasibility of new concepts and articulate design trade-offs to engineering leadership and cross-functional partners

Detailed Design & Analysis
  • Own the optical prescription end-to-end - design the free-space reflection cell, prescribe mode-matching optics, set the optical path geometry between elements, and design the active alignment systems that hold the system in spec
  • Build and own the optical performance models that predict and optimize the system's key figures of merit - optical delay, throughput, and beam quality - using Gaussian beam, polarization, and stray light analysis
  • Run sensitivity analyses and build the optical error budget, flowing tolerances down to individual elements and assemblies to drive the mechanical design
  • Specify every optical component - substrate, coatings, surface figure, surface roughness, and surface quality - and translate those specifications into drawings for fabrication

Software & Tooling
  • Develop both scripted and agentic Python workflows that automate optical layout generation and CAD integration to accelerate design iteration
  • Script and automate optical simulations and analyses

Prototyping, Testing & Manufacturing
  • Build and characterize optical hardware using optical metrology to validate performance against system requirements and model predictions
  • Design and build optical test stations and benches for engineering and production testing
  • Translate the alignment strategy into repeatable alignment methods, acceptance tests, and work instructions that transfer the design reliably into production

Execution & Delivery
  • Identify, select, and manage optical vendors; lead DFM discussions to ensure designs are manufacturable and meet performance targets
  • Lead optical design reviews and own the supporting documentation - specifications, drawings, and test plans
  • Support field failure analysis and re-alignment for deployed systems

Requirements
Minimum qualifications
  • M.S. or higher in Optical Engineering, Physics, EE, or a related field (or a B.S. with additional experience), plus 5+ years of optical system design through the complete product lifecycle; a Ph.D. may count toward the experience
  • High proficiency in optical design and analysis software (FRED, LightTools, Zemax or similar) and in Python for simulation, analysis automation, and lab test software
  • Strong grounding in physical optics and Gaussian beam propagation, with hands-on experience in optical metrology (flatness, roughness, wavefront and beam quality), sensitivity analysis, and error budgets
  • Strong communication skills - able to lead design reviews and collaborate across engineering disciplines
Preferred qualifications
  • Familiarity with CAD, GD&T and with optical fabrication processes
  • Experience with optical alignment techniques
  • Familiarity with free-space optical, laser, quantum, or photonic systems
  • Familiarity with automated and agentic workflow development
  • Comfortable or excited to work in a startup or fast-paced environment

We encourage you to apply even if you don't meet all of the qualifications stated above. We're looking for the right candidate with the aptitude and drive to learn and grow with us. That may just be you!
Candidates must have current US work authorization - we are unable to sponsor visas at this time.
Benefits
  • Health Insurance:
    • Medical - 100% covered for Employee, 80% covered for dependents
    • Dental, Vision and Life - 100% covered for Employee and dependents
  • Flexible time-off
  • 401(k) in the near future
  • Parental leave:
    • 6 weeks of paid Parental Bonding Leave for mothers and fathers of new children welcomed into their family (birthed or adopted).
    • For birthing mothers, an additional 6 weeks of paid Medical Recovery Leave to build back your health and strength before returning to solving the problems of storing photons.

Apply