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$59.5K

$126.6K

$183.5K

How much do senior photonics engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior photonics engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior photonics engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Photonics Engineer, you need a solid background in optics, physics, and engineering, typically supported by an advanced degree (MS or PhD) in photonics or a related field. Familiarity with simulation tools like COMSOL, Zemax, or Lumerical, as well as experience with laser systems, optical components, and CAD software, is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, project management, and effective communication make someone stand out in this position. These skills are crucial for designing innovative photonic solutions, leading multidisciplinary teams, and delivering projects that meet technical and business objectives.

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

AspectSenior Photonics EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Photonics, or related field; experience in photonics design and developmentBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering or Physics; similar technical background
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, R&D departments in tech and telecom industriesOptical systems design, testing, and integration in various industries including telecommunications and aerospace
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, defense, telecommunications, research institutionsOptical component manufacturers, aerospace, telecommunications, research labs

Both roles require strong technical knowledge in optics and photonics, often sharing similar educational backgrounds. Senior Photonics Engineers typically focus on advanced research and development projects, while Optical Engineers may work more on system design and implementation. The roles overlap significantly, but Senior Photonics Engineers usually have more experience and responsibilities in innovation and leadership within photonics projects.

What types of projects and collaborations can a senior photonics engineer expect to be involved in on a day-to-day basis?

As a Senior Photonics Engineer, you'll typically work on designing and optimizing optical systems, such as lasers, sensors, or photonic integrated circuits. Your daily responsibilities often include collaborating closely with cross-functional teams like mechanical engineers, software developers, and manufacturing specialists to integrate photonic solutions into broader products. You may also be involved in mentoring junior engineers, conducting experimental validation, and presenting project updates to stakeholders. This role requires balancing hands-on technical work with project management and team leadership.

What is a senior photonics engineer?

Senior Photonics Engineers are specialized professionals who design, develop, and optimize systems and devices that use light (photons) for a variety of applications, such as telecommunications, medical devices, and optical sensors. They play a leading role in overseeing projects, guiding teams, and ensuring that photonic systems meet technical and performance requirements. With their advanced expertise, they also troubleshoot complex issues, contribute to research and development, and collaborate with other engineers and scientists to bring innovative optical technologies to market.
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Senior Photonics Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Photonics Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 2% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $126,557 per year, or $60.8 per hour.

Senior Photonics Test Systems Engineer

nEye.ai

Santa Clara, CA • On-site

$140K - $230K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 17 days ago

Job description

About Us:
nEye.ai, a well-funded optical switch startup, is poised to revolutionize the future of data centers. nEye's MEMS-based silicon photonics optical circuit switches (OCS) eliminate critical bottlenecks in AI processing by enabling direct optical connections among thousands of GPUs and memory units. The company's SuperSwitch is an ultra-low power consumption, high radix, compact chip-scale design, offering hyperscale data centers enhanced performance, efficiency, and scalability.
Job Overview:
We are looking for a hands-on photonics experimentalist and test systems engineer to design, build, and scale the systems used to measure, validate, and productionize our optical platform.
This is not a traditional "test execution" role.
You will own how optical systems are measured, from first prototypes through high-volume production. This includes defining measurement strategies, building custom test systems, developing automation and analysis frameworks, and closing the loop between design, fabrication, and system performance.
Key Responsibilities
Build & Own Optical Test Systems
  • Architect and develop custom electro-optical test platforms at wafer, die, and module levels
  • Design and integrate instrumentation such as optical spectrum analyzers, tunable lasers, polarization control systems, and RF/electro-optical measurement setups
  • Build scalable, production-ready test racks and infrastructure
Drive Measurement Strategy & Insight
  • Define and validate key optical performance metrics (e.g., insertion loss, return loss, polarization-dependent loss, chromatic dispersion)
  • Develop novel measurement techniques and calibration methods where needed
  • Use DOE, statistical methods, and modeling to extract signal and guide design decisions
Bridge R&D to Manufacturing
  • Own the transition from lab validation to high-volume production test
  • Establish MSA, CpK, SPC, and yield monitoring frameworks
  • Support transfer of test systems to contract manufacturers and production partners
Close the Loop with Design
  • Collaborate with photonics, device, and systems engineers to identify performance limitations and failure modes
  • Debug complex issues across optical, electrical, and mechanical domains
  • Drive design improvements based on test data
Build Automation & Data Systems
  • Develop scalable test automation frameworks using Python, LabVIEW, or similar tools
  • Create data pipelines and analysis tools (e.g., JMP, MATLAB, Python)
  • Enable rapid debugging, visualization, and data-driven decision-making

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
  • 6+ years of experience in photonics test, optical systems, or experimental optics
  • Hands-on experience building and debugging optical measurement systems (not just running tests)
  • Familiarity with telecom, datacenter optics, or silicon photonics systems
  • Experience with wafer-, die-, or module-level characterization
  • Experience building test systems from scratch and scaling them into production
  • Ability to bridge design, test, and manufacturing workflows
  • Background working with transceivers, PICs, modulators, lasers, or optical switching systems
  • Strong understanding of optical measurement physics
  • Experience with DOE, SPC, GRR, and yield optimization
  • Optical instrumentation: OSA, tunable lasers, OTDR/OFDR, VNA, BERT, polarization systems
  • Automation: Python (preferred), LabVIEW/TestStand
  • Data analysis: JMP, MATLAB, or similar tools

Preferred Qualification
  • Direct product experience testing specific components like DWDM filters, Mux/Demux, circulators, couplers, switches, etc.
  • Comfortable working in a high-velocity, evolving environment with a willingness to travel to support manufacturing partners and field deployment as required
  • Intimate knowledge of all of the following optical metrics and their measurement techniques: IL, RL, WDL, PDL, CD, DGD, GDR, and MPI

$140,000 - $230,000 a year
Expected Salary Range and Title: $140,000-$230,000 annually. Starting salary and title will depend on, and be commensurate with, relevant experience, skills, training, education, market demands, and the ultimate job duties and requirements.
nEye.ai is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.

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