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Sr Optical Engineer Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Executive Staffing

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Senior Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

Our client is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for ...

New

Fibertek

Senior Firmware Engineer

Herndon, VA · On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

Fibertek, Inc. is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors ...

NSS

Solid-State Laser Scientist / Lead

Herndon, VA · On-site

Senior Solid-State Laser Engineer / Technical Lead Position Overview We are seeking a Senior Solid ... Perform system-level optical modeling and tolerance analysis (Zemax) * Ensure performance ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior DevOps Engineer II

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$133K - $171K/yr

SENIOR DEVOPS ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD ...

Rocket Lab

Senior DevOps Engineer II

Chantilly, VA

$133K - $171K/yr

SENIOR DEVOPS ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior DevOps Engineer II

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$133K - $171K/yr

SENIOR DEVOPS ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Senior DevOps Engineer II

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$133K - $171K/yr

SENIOR DEVOPS ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Sr. FPGA Engineer II

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$143K - $214K/yr

SENIOR FPGA ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD ...

Rocket Lab Corporation

Sr. FPGA Engineer II

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$143K - $214K/yr

SENIOR FPGA ENGINEER II Rocket Lab's Optical Systems division solves mission-critical space domain and Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) challenges for Department of Defense (DoD ...

KBR

Senior Structural Analysis Engineer

Greenbelt, MD · On-site +1

$137K - $206K/yr

Senior Structural Analysis Engineer BELONG. CONNECT. GROW. with KBR. Around here, we define the ... Optical Performance (STOP), and other applicable structural requirements Generate Finite Element ...

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Sr Optical Engineer information

What is a Sr Optical Engineer?

Sr Optical Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and test optical systems and components, such as lenses, lasers, and imaging devices. They often lead projects involving optics for industries like telecommunications, aerospace, medical devices, and consumer electronics. Senior Optical Engineers also collaborate with cross-disciplinary teams, oversee the integration of optical technologies, and provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff. Their work ensures the performance, reliability, and innovation of optical products and systems.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Sr Optical Engineer?

To thrive as a Sr Optical Engineer, you need deep expertise in optical design, physics, and engineering principles, typically supported by an advanced degree in optics or a related field. Familiarity with tools like Zemax, Code V, MATLAB, and optical simulation software, as well as knowledge of industry standards and certifications, is essential. Strong problem-solving, project management, and collaboration skills help drive innovation and effective teamwork. These competencies are vital for delivering high-performance optical systems and leading complex projects to successful outcomes.

What types of projects and cross-functional collaboration can a Sr Optical Engineer expect in their role?

As a Sr Optical Engineer, you can expect to work on projects involving the design, testing, and integration of optical systems for products such as imaging devices, sensors, or communication equipment. Collaboration with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers is common to ensure that optical components seamlessly integrate with other subsystems. You may also interact with product managers and manufacturing teams to meet technical requirements and production timelines. Regular communication and teamwork are essential, especially when troubleshooting system-level issues or optimizing performance across disciplines.

What is the difference between Sr Optical Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectSr Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field; 5+ years experienceBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field; 1-3 years experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, manufacturing, R&D departmentsDesign, testing, and development in labs or production settings
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, aerospace, telecommunicationsOptical 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.

What are popular job titles related to Sr Optical Engineer jobs in Washington?

For Sr Optical Engineer jobs in Washington, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Sr Optical Engineer jobs in Washington look for?

The top searched job categories for Sr Optical Engineer jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Sr Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Sr Optical Engineer job openings:

Sr Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sr Optical Engineer job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 4% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Senior Firmware Engineer

Executive Staffing

Herndon, VA • On-site

$140K - $210K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 3 days ago

New

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Job description

Our client is a leading developer of laser and electro-optic systems for the aerospace community, with key contributions to lasers for atmospheric sensing, laser communications, and lidar sensors for NASA, DoD, and commercial customers.  We are looking for an experienced Firmware Engineer to contribute to the development of products on our Research and Development Division in Herndon VA. As part of our R&D division, you would join our firmware team to develop, integrate, and test our firmware products in Fibertek’s spaced-based, electro-optical systems. 

Essential Job Duties

  • Lead and contribute to firmware architecture and implementation for space-based electro-optical payloads and laser systems
  • Perform end-to-end firmware development lifecycle: from requirements analysis through design, coding, simulation, verification, and validation
  • Collaborate closely with hardware, systems, software, and optical engineers in cross-functional teams to define interfaces, resolve design issues, and ensure seamless system integration
  • Participate in task-based iterative development cycles, incorporating rapid feedback, frequent integration points, and incremental testing to meet mission reliability goals
  • Conduct lab-based debugging, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and system-level validation using diagnostic tools and protocols
  • Support peer code reviews, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement of development processes and best practices
  • Apply high-reliability and space-grade techniques (e.g., fault tolerance, radiation mitigation) in a collaborative, team-oriented environment
  • Contribute to documentation, design reviews, and risk identification throughout the product lifecycle

Job Requirements

Experience and Expertise Required

  • 7+ years relevant experience
  • BS/MS in EE or equivalent
  • Expertise with firmware engineering, VHDL (RTL), System Verilog (Testing)
  • Expertise with Digital Signal Processing, precision timing, optical comms (modems), LIDAR
  • Experience with Xilinx, Microchip, and Lattice FPGAs and their associated development tools
  • Experience developing test benches and running simulations to exercise the design and to verify compliance
  • Experience interfacing and working with hardware designers during development, integration, and test phases
  • Experience using schematics and block diagrams as inputs for firmware design
  • Experience in high-speed serial links: GTY/GTM, JESD204B/C, Ethernet, SpaceWire
  • Experience in standard peripheral interfaces: SPI, I2C, UART, LVDS, etc.
  • Experience in memory interfaces: DDR3/4, QDR, FRAM, etc.
  • Experience with GitHub, CI/CD for FPGA flows, code reviews, automated linting, synthesis, regression testing, timing closure, bitstream generation, release tagging

Bonus Areas

  • Experience in Python for build/testing automation and data analysis
  • Experience with Linux, scripting, Docker containers, and automation
  • Experience developing Hi-Rel/Space programs and TMR coding
  • Experience developing code (C, C++) for microcontrollers
  • Experience with VS Code


Company Description

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