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Senior Principal Optical Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

IDEX

Lead Metrology Engineer

West Henrietta, NY · On-site

$112.70 - $169.10/hr

Role Overview Lead Engineer - Metrology Engineering ... Semrock Optical Filters, IH&S Position Summary: Senior technical leader responsible for the ...

Corning

Senior Staff Engineer, Optomechanical

Fairport, NY · On-site

$139K - $191K/yr

Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at ... a Sr. Staff Engineer, Optomechanical at our technology center in Rochester, NY . This role ...

Corning

Senior Staff Engineer, Optomechanical

Fairport, NY · On-site

$139K - $191K/yr

Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at ... a Sr. Staff Engineer, Optomechanical at our technology center in Rochester, NY . This role ...

Fermilab

Principal Mechanical Engineer

Batavia, NY · On-site

$124K - $164K/yr

The (ISD) Principal Mechanical Engineer leads and contributes to projects in areas such as design ... less senior engineers. Coordinates and/or supervises technicians and other engineers and sub ...

Ametek

Mechanical Engineer

Rochester, NY · On-site

... optical systems and assemblies. Join our team, where your expertise will drive cutting-edge ... Senior Engineers. Create and maintain engineering documentation, including detail drawings ...

Vertex Optics

Senior Optics Technician

Victor, NY · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Senior Optics Technician Reports to: Production Manager Job Summary: Fabricate prototype optical ... of complex optical configurations.Follow engineering drawings, manufacturing instructions ...

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All JobsPrincipal Optical Engineer JobsSenior Principal Optical Engineer JobsSenior Principal Optical Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

Senior Principal Optical Engineer information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$80.9K

$153.4K

$211.6K

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

As of Aug 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior principal optical engineer in Rochester, NY is $153,358.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $123,800.00 and $170,700.00 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 are the most commonly searched types of Principal Optical Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY?

The most popular types of Principal Optical Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY are:

What cities near Rochester, NY are hiring for Senior Principal Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities near Rochester, NY with the most Senior Principal Optical Engineer job openings:

Senior Principal Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Principal Optical Engineer job openings in Rochester, NY as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $153,358 per year, or $73.7 per hour.

Embedded Engineer (Mid-Sr Levels)

Vanteon Corporation

Pittsford, NY • On-site

$115K - $150K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 3 days ago

Job description

Job Title: Embedded Software Engineer (Sr Levels)
Department: Engineering
Reports To: Director of Engineering
FLSA Status: Exempt
Job Summary
Vanteon is seeking a Principal Embedded Software Engineer to join our team. The position will design and develop Petalinux Board Support Package and MAC layer communications firmware for custom hardware. Specific platforms would include the AMD/Xilinx Zynq ARM and ADI ADRV900X Transceiver platforms.
Duties/Responsibilities
The following is a list of expected duties to be involved in this position; this is not fully inclusive, and management may assign other duties:
  • Analyze system for identification of use cases and development of System Requirement Specifications.
  • Design and implement embedded software, device drivers, and board support packages.
  • Investigate and propose project-related technologies to meet requirements.
  • Create technical documentation including Software Requirements Specifications, Design Documents, Test Summary Reports, and development notes.
  • Collaborate with hardware and other engineers for design and integration efforts.
  • Define and execute engineering verification and acceptance criteria tests.
  • Mentor more junior engineers.

Supervisory Responsibilities
None
Required Skills & Knowledge
  • Embedded systems software for real-time bare-metal, RTOSs, and embedded Linux-based systems.
  • Multi-threaded programming, distributed design, device driver development, and hardware-level. diagnostics, MAC sublayer, BIOS / Bootloader development and configuration, and interrupt handling.
  • BSP creation and new custom hardware bring-up for bare-metal, RTOS, and embedded Linux platforms.
  • Proficient with C/C++ and able to work at the assembly level for embedded processors.
  • Advanced object-oriented design approaches to reusable software systems design.
  • Experience using embedded tools such as compilers, debuggers, ICE, and emulators.
  • Experience with common build management systems (make, etc.) and git version control systems.
  • Hardware/software interface design experience (SPI, I2C, LVDS, DMA, etc.).
  • Proven track record of successful product completion and deployment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication and analytical skills.
  • Highly motivated, well-organized self-starter.

Desired Skills
  • AMD/Xilinx FPGA HDL, hardware configuration, and block design familiarity.
  • AMD/Xilinx Petalinux/Yocto bring-up, customization, and Zynq hardware integration.
  • ADI ADRV9002 configuration and control.
  • Experience with Python for testing standardization, automation, and test fixturing.
  • Linux Yocto build recipes.
  • Linux kernel and application software development.
  • Linux Ethernet driver stack configuration and routing (OpenWRT, etc.).
  • Experience with common CI/CD tools and containerize development methodologies.
  • Experience with UML design modeling and tools.
  • Secure Bootloaders, Binary Signing and Encryption, and TPM integrations.
  • OpenAmp

Education and Experience
  • BS EE/CE/CS/SE
  • 5+ years' experience in embedded systems software

Other Requirements
  • Training and regular duties require a physical office presence. Although Vanteon will comply with all NYS/Federal requirements related to COVID-19, candidates will be expected to work on-site.
  • Although minimal, some circumstances may require a weekly commitment above 40 hours or hours outside of regular business hours.

Physical Requirements
  • Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer
  • Be able to perform low to moderately strenuous physical activities requiring standing, walking, and reaching.
  • Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

The physical demands described above represent those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Equal Opportunity Employer
Vanteon Corporation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. It prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.
This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.
Compensation Range
A candidate's compensation will depend heavily on their skills and experience and will include a very competitive benefits package. Position is eligible for a variety of bonuses, including client referrals, employee referrals, publications, and extra effort.
The estimated range for specific positions associated with this job posting is:
• Principal Engineer - $115,000 to $135,000
• Senior Principal Engineer - $130,000 to $150,000
Applying
Applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to Ronnie Ells - careers@vanteon.com.
Please note that all offers for hire are contingent on passing e-verify, background, and drug screenings. In addition, you must be able to work with ITAR and CUI data.
About Vanteon
Vanteon LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Performance Drone Works, is an engineering services company specializing in wireless and RF design. We offer Analog, Digital, RF, Hardware, Software, and FPGA design services. At Vanteon, we develop products for companies that range from small start-ups to large Fortune 50 companies. The designs we create include Software-Defined Radio (SDR), Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc., for markets such as telecom (3G, 4G, 5G cellular), Aviation, Medical, Government, Industrial, and more. Types of projects include handheld devices, wearables, RADAR, signal/spectrum analyzers, and wireless widgets of all kinds. Vanteon has been voted one of the "Best Companies to Work for in NY" for 15 years running; most times, we've ranked in the top 5.
Vanteon logo

About Vanteon

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Wireless telecommunications carriers

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

Fairport, NY, US

Year founded

1985

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