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Senior Principal Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

QuEra Computing, Inc.

Principal Optical Engineer

Boston, MA · On-site

$180K - $220K/yr

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

Koch Industries

Principal Optical Engineer

Bridgewater, NJ · On-site

$160K - $200K/yr

As a senior technical leader, the Principal Optical Engineer will mentor and guide junior, intermediate, and senior engineers, fostering technical growth, ensuring high engineering standards, and ...

Inuplands

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$150 - $200/hr

We are seeking an innovative and driven Principal Optical Engineer (PMTS) to lead the charge in ... As a senior technical leader, you will also build, mentor, and manage diverse, cross-functional ...

BAE Systems

Eng Sr Prin - Optical

Austin, TX · On-site

$127K - $165K/yr

BAE Systems is currently looking for a talented Senior Principal Optical Engineer to join our EO/IR Capability Group . This group comprises a team of expert Optical, Electro-Optical, Opto-mechanical ...

Coherent

Senior Principal Optical Engineer

Santa Clara, CA · Hybrid

$148K - $204K/yr

D in Optics, Optical Engineering, Opto-mechanical instrumentation. Advanced education qualifications would be a plus. Candidates with suitable hands-on experience with a BS degree will be considered ...

SpaceX

Principal Optical Engineer (Starfall)

Hawthorne, CA · On-site

$131K - $169K/yr

PRINCIPAL OPTICAL ENGINEER (STARFALL) SpaceX optical systems require a powerful blend of theoretical expertise, hands-on implementation skills, and a passion for solving complex problems in real-time ...

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Senior Principal Optical Engineer information

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$82K

$155.4K

$214.5K

How much do senior principal optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal optical engineer in the United States is $155,430.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior principal optical engineer?

Senior Principal Optical Engineers are highly experienced professionals who design, develop, and oversee complex optical systems and technologies, such as lenses, lasers, fiber optics, and imaging devices. They typically lead advanced research projects, mentor junior engineers, and provide technical leadership in their organizations. Their expertise is crucial in industries like aerospace, telecommunications, defense, and consumer electronics, where precision and innovation in optics are essential. In addition to technical design, they often collaborate with cross-functional teams to ensure product performance and reliability.

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

To thrive as a Senior Principal Optical Engineer, you need deep expertise in optical design, physics, and engineering principles, typically backed by an advanced degree in optical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with technical tools such as Zemax, Code V, MATLAB, and proficiency in simulation, modeling, and prototyping is essential. Leadership, problem-solving, and effective communication are standout soft skills for overseeing complex projects and mentoring junior engineers. These abilities ensure the delivery of innovative optical solutions and successful project outcomes in highly technical environments.

What are some of the main challenges a senior principal optical engineer faces when leading cross-functional projects?

A Senior Principal Optical Engineer often leads complex projects that require coordinating with diverse teams, such as mechanical, electrical, and manufacturing engineers. One common challenge is aligning differing technical requirements and timelines across departments while ensuring that optical performance meets stringent specifications. Effective communication and problem-solving are crucial, as unexpected integration issues or shifting project priorities can arise. Successfully navigating these challenges not only ensures project success but also positions the engineer as a key technical leader within the organization.

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

AspectSenior Principal Optical EngineerOptical Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's/Master's/PhD in Optical Engineering or related field, professional certificationsBachelor's/Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, product development teamsDesign, integration, testing of optical systems in various industries
Industry UsageHigh-tech, aerospace, defense, telecommunicationsConsumer electronics, medical devices, industrial equipment

The Senior Principal Optical Engineer typically holds advanced degrees and leads complex optical projects, focusing on innovation and technical leadership. Optical Systems Engineers often work on designing and testing optical components and systems, supporting product development. While both roles require strong optical knowledge, the Senior Principal Optical Engineer is more senior, strategic, and research-oriented, whereas the Optical Systems Engineer is more hands-on and implementation-focused.

What cities are hiring for Senior Principal Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Senior Principal Optical Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Optical Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Principal Optical Engineer jobs are:

What states have the most Senior Principal Optical Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Senior Principal Optical Engineer jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Senior Principal Optical Engineer jobs?

For Senior Principal Optical Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Senior Principal Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Optical 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 87% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $155,430 per year, or $74.7 per hour.

Principal Optical Engineer

Boston, MA

QuEra Computing, Inc.
Scientific Research and Development Services • 11 - 50 employees
Learn more about QuEra Computing, Inc.external

$180K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Design and develop optical modules to support neutral atom quantum computers throughout the full development lifecycle.

  • Lead an interdisciplinary team through the product development process from concept to production.

  • Troubleshoot technical issues at company headquarters and customer locations in coordination with support teams.

Job description

Principal Optical Engineer

The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Principal Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company's mission of building state-of-the-art, manufacturable, and deployable neutral atom quantum computers. The Hardware Engineering Group plays a crucial role in accelerating the company's technology leadership and translating the company's scientific breakthroughs into products delivered to customers. To accomplish this mission, we are looking to hire a candidate with graduate-level education in optics, optical engineering, or applied physics with industry experience in an enterprise engineering environment. The ideal candidate will combine a deep, fundamental understanding of several areas of optics, design, and engineering. Although candidates with a Ph.D. in physics may be considered, applicants should ensure they have sufficient professional experience beyond academia in an enterprise engineering environment to establish themselves independently as a Principal-level engineer.

Key Job Responsibilities
  • Optical module design and development
  • Work with physicists to understand requirements and architect optical systems, sub-systems, modules, and components to support QuEra's neutral atom computers through the full development lifecycle (R&D, productization, maintenance, and beyond).
  • Technically lead an interdisciplinary team of engineers (optical, electronic, mechanical, etc.) through the product development process to take an optical module from early phase concept through to implementation and production.
  • Advance state-of-the-art engineering practices at QuEra through independent research, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Coordinate closely with the R&D/science team to enable cutting-edge R&D and translate scientific advances into the next generation of products.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues at company headquarters and off-site installations at customer locations (in coordination with local support team).
Qualifications

Required:

  • Master's degree in optics, optical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field.
  • 10-15 years non-academic work experience.  Experience at an enterprise scale as well as startup preferred.
  • Deep experience and knowledge of 
    • Free-space optics
    • Lens design
    • Fiber optics
    • Lasers
    • Optical system characterization and testing
    • Opto-mechanics
  • Experience bringing complex optical systems from concept to production
  • Expertise with using Mechanical CAD software (e.g. Inventor, Solidworks), Product Data Management (PDM) software, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software
  • Expertise with Optical simulation software (e.g. Zemax)

Preferred:

  • Experience with quantum computing, especially neutral atom
  • Professional work experience in commercial product development and off-site product deployment at customer premises.

#LI-DA1

The approximate base salary range for this position is $180,000 - $220,000.

We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly.  We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience.  In addition to our base salary offerings, we also provide equity grants for all new hires.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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