The Sr. Optical Engineer works with Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and customer teams to specify, scope, design, produce, and verify optics to mission requirements. They identify and help solve ...
New
The Sr. Optical Engineer works with Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and customer teams to specify, scope, design, produce, and verify optics to mission requirements. They identify and help solve ...
New
The Sr. Optical Engineer works with Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and customer teams to specify, scope, design, produce, and verify optics to mission requirements. They identify and help solve ...
New
The Sr. Optical Engineer works with Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and customer teams to specify, scope, design, produce, and verify optics to mission requirements. They identify and help solve ...
The Sr. Optical Engineer works with Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and customer teams to specify, scope, design, produce, and verify optics to mission requirements. They identify and help solve ...
Boulder, CO · On-site
$134K - $169K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...
Boulder, CO · On-site
$134K - $169K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...
Boston, MA · On-site
$113.50K - $155.90K/yr
Senior Optical Engineer The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Senior Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company ...
Boston, MA · On-site
$113.50K - $155.90K/yr
Senior Optical Engineer The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Senior Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company ...
Boulder, CO · On-site
$134K - $169K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...
Boulder, CO · On-site
$134K - $169K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...
$126.50K - $163.70K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...
$126.50K - $163.70K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...
Boulder, CO · On-site
$126.50K - $163.70K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...
Boulder, CO · On-site
$126.50K - $163.70K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer for ngGONG plays a central role in shaping the optical performance of the National Solar Observatory's Next-Generation Global Observing Network Group (ngGONG). This ...
$113.50K - $155.90K/yr
Senior Optical Engineer The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Senior Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company ...
$113.50K - $155.90K/yr
Senior Optical Engineer The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Senior Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company ...
Bothell, WA · On-site +1
$114.75K - $150.24K/yr
We are looking for a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Quantum Networking Group. As an Optical Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to ...
Bothell, WA · On-site +1
$114.75K - $150.24K/yr
We are looking for a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Quantum Networking Group. As an Optical Engineer, you'll be part of a cross-functional team whose mission is to lead IonQ on its journey to ...
San Jose, CA · On-site
$200K - $275K/yr
Senior Optical Engineer Location: 2550 N First Street Suite 250, San Jose, California 95131 Compensation*: $200,000-$275,000 USD + benefits Role Description: We are seeking a motivated Senior Optical ...
San Jose, CA · On-site
$200K - $275K/yr
Senior Optical Engineer Location: 2550 N First Street Suite 250, San Jose, California 95131 Compensation*: $200,000-$275,000 USD + benefits Role Description: We are seeking a motivated Senior Optical ...
Portsmouth, NH · On-site
$106.50K - $146.20K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer (OE) serves as the company's technical authority for optical systems engineering and works with a cross-functional team to ensure Wilcox is delivering a best-in-class ...
Quick apply
Portsmouth, NH · On-site
$106.50K - $146.20K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer (OE) serves as the company's technical authority for optical systems engineering and works with a cross-functional team to ensure Wilcox is delivering a best-in-class ...
Newington, NH · On-site
$106.50K - $146.20K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer (OE) serves as the company's technical authority for optical systems engineering and works with a cross-functional team to ensure Wilcox is delivering a best-in-class ...
Newington, NH · On-site
$106.50K - $146.20K/yr
The Senior Optical Engineer (OE) serves as the company's technical authority for optical systems engineering and works with a cross-functional team to ensure Wilcox is delivering a best-in-class ...
Houston, TX · On-site
$123.20K - $159.50K/yr
We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through ...
Houston, TX · On-site
$123.20K - $159.50K/yr
We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through ...
San Jose, CA · On-site
$140K - $180K/yr
We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through ...
San Jose, CA · On-site
$140K - $180K/yr
We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through ...
San Jose, CA · On-site
We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through ...
Quick apply
San Jose, CA · On-site
We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through ...
Houston, TX · On-site
$123.20K - $159.50K/yr
We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through ...
Quick apply
Houston, TX · On-site
$123.20K - $159.50K/yr
We are seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to join our Optical NPI team to support the development and scaling of next-generation optical switch products from New Product Introduction (NPI) through ...
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$115K - $165K/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 ...
Quick apply
Tucson, AZ · On-site
$115K - $165K/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 ...
$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 ...
$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 ...
$110.90K - $143.60K/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 ...
$110.90K - $143.60K/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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
$83K - $90.8K
0% of jobs
$90.8K - $98.5K
0% of jobs
$98.5K - $106.3K
0% of jobs
$106.3K - $114.1K
0% of jobs
$114.1K - $121.9K
0% of jobs
$126.9K is the 25th percentile. Wages below this are outliers.
$121.9K - $129.6K
38% of jobs
The median wage is $133.2K / yr.
$129.6K - $137.4K
26% of jobs
$137.4K - $145.2K
0% of jobs
$145.2K - $153K
0% of jobs
$153K - $160.7K
0% of jobs
$163.1K is the 75th percentile. Wages above this are outliers.
$160.7K - $168.5K
36% of jobs
$83K
$143.6K
$168.5K
| Aspect | Sr Optical Engineer | Optical Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Required Credentials | Bachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field; 5+ years experience | Bachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field; 1-3 years experience |
| Work Environment | Research labs, manufacturing, R&D departments | Design, testing, and development in labs or production settings |
| Employer & Industry Usage | Tech companies, aerospace, telecommunications | Optical component manufacturers, research institutions |
The main difference between a Sr Optical Engineer and an Optical Engineer lies in experience, responsibilities, and seniority. A Sr Optical Engineer typically has more years of experience, takes on leadership roles, and oversees complex projects, whereas an Optical Engineer is often in the early to mid-career stage focusing on design and testing tasks.

Malin Space Science Systems (MSSS) is a private technology company that designs, develops and operates space camera systems for government and commercial aerospace customers and provides services in spacecraft instrument operations and space science research. The Camera Systems Group (CSG) seeks a Sr. Optical Engineer with experience designing and building visible, infrared, and UV optics for camera systems, managing optics subcontracts, developing and executing optical calibration and metrology procedures, and solving challenging optics measurement problems.
The Sr. Optical Engineer works with Project Managers, Systems Engineers, and customer teams to specify, scope, design, produce, and verify optics to mission requirements. They identify and help solve design challenges associated with the harsh environments of launch and operation in interplanetary space and during encounters with celestial bodies for both robotic and human spaceflight.
The Sr. Optical Engineer manages subcontracts for optical parts, materials, coatings, and assemblies and the development of in-house production and test capabilities. Essential Functions Specifies optical systems for high-level mission requirements Completes initial conceptual and detailed flight designs of camera optics Manages glass availability through production lifecycles Designs for athermalization and stray light minimization Completes Structural-Thermal-Optical-Performance (STOP) Analysis Develops calibration plans to verify mission requirements, including but not limited to focus/MTF, flat field imaging, radiometry and spectral response, distortion/camera models, boresight alignment Writes performance specification and statements of work for optical subcontracts Manages subcontractors for performance of optical processing, fabrication, and assembly Presents at design reviews Prior to entering assembly, test, storage or development areas within the Camera Systems Group unescorted, receive initial and ongoing annual training in the fundamentals of Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Pay Range: $140-165K Non-Essential Functions Performs other duties as required which may become essential functions Minimum Qualifications Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Physics; Masters or PhD preferred 8-10 years minimum of relevant experience Must have extensive experience using ZEMAX optical design software Familiarity with optics assembly techniques for space-based optical systems Experience with radiation-hardened optical design Experience with collimation measurement techniques Experience with laser interferometric measurement of wavefront error Experience with radiometric calibration Knowledge of visible and infrared sensor physics and performance limitations Experience with boresight alignment and metrology Excellent written and verbal communication skills, capable of clearly explain technical issues and ideas to peers, management, and customer representatives Physical Requirements Must be able to comprehend and communicate complex technical and engineering concepts.
Must be able to remain in a stationary position while operating a computer for prolonged periods of time. Ability to work and move around in a cleanroom environment, wearing required outer garments including smock/coveralls, shoe covers, mask, hood and gloves. Moves in and around a lab space.
Ability to handle high stress levels in connection with multiple conflicting priorities and deadlines. High tolerance for ambiguity and shifting expectations. Strong analytical and organizational skills with ability to prioritize workload.
Disclaimer The employee must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily and, if requested, reasonable accommodations will be made to enable employees with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their job, absent undue hardship. The Employer retains the right to change or assign other duties to this position. View MSSS Benefits MSSS is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all individuals, regardless of any protected status, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Reasonable accommodations will be provided to individuals who are unable to use this online system due to a disability. To request a reasonable accommodation, please contact egomez@msss.com Department: Camera Systems Group This is a non-management position This is a full time position Pay Range: $140-165K.
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Guided missile and space vehicle manufacturing
11 - 50 Employees
San Diego, CA, US
1990