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Senior Optical Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions ...

Compal

Senior Optical Systems Engineer

Goleta, CA · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

The Senior Optical Systems Engineer candidate will contribute to the development of optical based ADAS cameras, including thermal infrared, for advanced driver assistance systems. Major ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

Camas, WA · On-site

Summary The Directed Energy Laser Development group has an opening for a Senior Optical Engineer to support the development of high-power fiber amplifiers. This position will develop next-generation ...

Applied Energetics, Inc

Senior Optical Engineer

Tucson, AZ

$110K - $143K/yr

Why This Role Matters We are seeking a highly skilled Senior Optical Engineer to play a key role in the design, development, testing, and integration of advanced beam directors and optical control ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

Camas, WA · On-site

$103K - $135K/yr

Summary The Directed Energy Laser Development group has an opening for a Senior Optical Engineer to support the development of high-power fiber amplifiers. This position will develop next-generation ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

Rancho Santa Fe, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions ...

Atom Computing

Senior Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Atom Computing is seeking an Senior Optical Engineer to lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems and to drive their build out and develop fixtures and processes for their precision alignment and ...

Ametek

Sr Optical Engineer

Denville, NJ · On-site

$123K - $160K/yr

This position will report directly to the Sr. Manager, Optical Engineering. Our Special Optics team is a design, development and manufacturing group located in Denville, New Jersey. As an Optical ...

Atom Computing

Senior Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO

$150K - $175K/yr

Atom Computing is seeking an Senior Optical Engineer to lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems and to drive their build out and develop fixtures and processes for their precision alignment and ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

La Jolla, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

Cardiff By The Sea, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

El Cajon, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions ...

IonQ

Senior Optical Test Setup Engineer

Boston, MA

$110K - $144K/yr

As a Senior Optical Test Setup 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 ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

National City, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions ...

Vultr

Senior Optical Engineer

$125K - $135K/yr

Company-paid Wellable subscription Join Vultr Vultr is seeking a Senior Optical Network Engineer responsible for the design, implementation, testing, optimization, troubleshooting, and support of ...

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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 Jul 12, 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 July 2026, with employment types broken down into 83% Full Time, 15% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $80,287 per year, or $38.6 per hour.
Senior Optical Engineer

Senior Optical Engineer

Leidos

San Diego, CA • On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago

Leidos rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 149 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

56th of 449 rated business services

Job description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact?
At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business.
Are you ready for your next career challenge?
Leidos Defense provides a diverse portfolio of systems, solutions, and services covering land, sea, air, space, and cyberspace for customers worldwide. Solutions for Defense include enterprise and mission IT, large-scale intelligence systems, command and control, geospatial and data analytics, cybersecurity, logistics, training, and intelligence analysis and operations support. Our team is solving the world's toughest security challenges for customers with "can't fail" missions.
Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions such as Overhead Persistent Infrared (OPIR), Space Control, and Space-Based Sensing. Leidos programs are funded by multiple U.S. government sponsors as well as internal research and development (IR&D) efforts. The optical engineer will also contribute to responses for government-issued proposals related to optical imaging systems operating in the visible and infrared spectrum. Upon contract award, responsibilities include system conceptualization, optical design, performance analysis, payload construction, testing, and integration.
The candidate should be able to conceptualize optical designs and oversee their mechanical implementation into qualified flight instruments, with demonstrated proficiency in mechanical modeling for proposal and concept development. The candidate should understand radiometric requirements, optical performance specifications, and payload hardware development to design optical systems using Zemax. A strong understanding of aberration theory and its impact on system performance is required.
The candidate should also be proficient in optical tolerancing, athermalization analysis, and lens manufacturing methods and drawing standards. Experience in stray light control, Structural Thermal Optical Performance (STOP) analysis, and laboratory testing and evaluation is required. Additionally, knowledge of infrared lens design and reflective optical system design is essential.
Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor of Science degree with 12+ years of prior relevant experience or Master of Science with 10+ years of prior relevant experience. May possess a Doctorate in a relevant technical domain.
  • Infrared and Visible lens design using Zemax experience required.
  • Knowledge of how electro-optical systems are designed, specified, developed, manufactured, and tested including Focal Plane Arrays, bandpass filter performance, AR coating, and Lyot stop implementation.
  • Experience in prototype and production development, including testing and demonstrations.
  • Knowledge and experience in laboratory alignment, testing, and evaluation.
  • Working knowledge of MS Office applications, MatLab, and Solidworks.
  • Effective communication, coordination, and customer engagement skills.
  • Ability to work in a fast paced, dynamic, and team environment.
  • Minimum of an active SECRET security clearance with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI clearance.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Stray light performance analysis using FRED
  • Bandpass and AR coating development
  • Radiometric modeling
  • Manufacturing and assembly process knowledge

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.
Original Posting:
May 29, 2026
For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.
Pay Range:
Pay Range $131,300.00 - $237,350.00
The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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About Leidos

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers' success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainable practices. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community.

Industry

It services

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Reston, VA, US

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