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Sr Optical Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Actalent

Sr. Hardware Engineer

Raleigh, NC

$107K - $143K/yr

Job Title: Sr. Hardware Engineer The Sr. Hardware Engineer designs and supports high‑reliability ... Fiber optic interface design experience, including optical transceivers and related circuitry.

Actalent

Sr. Hardware Engineer

Raleigh, NC

$107K - $143K/yr

Job Title: Sr. Hardware Engineer The Sr. Hardware Engineer designs and supports high‑reliability ... Fiber optic interface design experience, including optical transceivers and related circuitry.

Actalent

Sr. Hardware Engineer SoC/CPU

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$107K - $143K/yr

Job Title: Sr. Hardware Engineer The Sr. Hardware Engineer designs and supports high‑reliability ... Fiber optic interface design experience, including optical transceivers and related circuitry.

Corning

Senior Electrical Engineer, Power Systems

Durham, NC · On-site

$103K - $135K/yr

Optical fiber, wireless technologies, and connectivity solutions to carry information and ideas at ... Senior Electrical Engineer, Power Systems that may be located in Charlotte, NC; Durham, NC; or ...

MLS Technologies

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Apex, NC · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... casings, optical windows, displays, buttons, ambient light shields, and biocompatible skin ... S in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or a related field Eight or more years industry ...

Recruiting Engine (MLS)

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Apex, NC · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... casings, optical windows, displays, buttons, ambient light shields, and biocompatible skin ... S. in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or a related field Eight or more years industry ...

MLS Technologies

Senior Mechanical Engineer

Apex, NC · On-site

$80K - $105K/yr

... casings, optical windows, displays, buttons, ambient light shields, and biocompatible skin ... S. in Mechanical or Biomedical Engineering or a related field Eight or more years industry ...

NIRSense Inc

Senior Electrical Engineer R&D

Morrisville, NC · On-site

$100K - $131K/yr

NIRSense is seeking an experienced senior electrical engineer to own early-stage hardware ... Experience with optical or bioelectric sensing front-end design including circuit-level artifact ...

New

NIRSense Inc

Senior Electrical Engineer R&D

Morrisville, NC · On-site

$100K - $131K/yr

NIRSense is seeking an experienced senior electrical engineer to own early-stage hardware ... Experience with optical or bioelectric sensing front-end design including circuit-level artifact ...

New

NIRSense Inc.

Senior Electrical Engineer R&D

Morrisville, NC · On-site

$100K - $131K/yr

NIRSense is seeking an experienced senior electrical engineer to own early-stage hardware ... Experience with optical or bioelectric sensing front-end design including circuit-level artifact ...

New

ROCKWOOL

Sr. Electrical Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$115K - $135K/yr

ROCKWOOL is seeking a Sr. Electrical Engineer to join our Group Technology team! This position ... Optical network layout for below: * Rocknet * Process control system * Room schedule (together with ...

Actalent

Sr. Hardware Design Engineer

Morrisville, NC

$130K - $170K/yr

Hardware Design Engineer We are seeking a highly proficient Hardware Design Engineer to join our ... Your role will involve developing PCBAs for electro-optical sensors, lasers, batteries, and other ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsSr Optical Engineer JobsSr Optical Engineer Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Sr Optical Engineer information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$80.7K

$139.6K

$163.8K

How much do sr optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr optical engineer in Raleigh, NC is $139,601.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $125,400.00 and $162,300.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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 Raleigh, NC? For Sr Optical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Sr Optical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC look for? The top searched job categories for Sr Optical Engineer jobs in Raleigh, NC are:
What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Sr Optical Engineer jobs? Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Sr Optical Engineer job openings:
Sr Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sr Optical Engineer job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 6% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $139,601 per year, or $67.1 per hour.

Sr Mechanical Engineer - Illumination Optics

Garmin International, Inc.

Cary, NC • On-site

$106K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Garmin rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 45 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 157 rated electronics manufacturers

Job description

Overview
We are seeking a full-time experienced Sr Mechanical Engineer - Illumination Optics on our Explorations Team at our Headquarters location in the Kansas City area, or at our site in Cary, NC. While other engineering product development teams at Garmin primarily focus on designing products, our team focuses on the product enabling technologies that will be essential to those products and will expedite their development. In this role, you will explore various lighting applications involving signal, conspicuity, and forward illumination systems across many of Garmin's business segments.
Essential Functions
  • Design and develop custom non-imaging optical systems for various consumer electronics applications
  • Conduct optical simulation and analysis for concept development and design change verification
  • Transform optical surfaces into mechanical component models that are manufacturable
  • Collaborate with ID, ME, EE, Optical and Illumination engineers throughout development
  • Define boundary constraints for the optics due to ID goals, electromechanical integration, thermal limitations, power budgets, and design for manufacturing
  • Develop optical and photometric requirements to meet product goals
  • Own development of optical design standards and specifications to support evaluation of optical system performance
  • Quickly ideate to conceptualize creative illumination solutions to a maturity necessary to conduct tradeoff analyses and inform risk vs reward
  • Perform benchmark testing and competitive analysis
  • Explore innovative mechanical concepts and complete complex mechanical designs
  • Technology investigations, design, testing/validation, prototyping and supporting technology transfer to product development teams
  • Ability to complete the most difficult tasks as a Master CAD-user including the completion of complex mechanical designs (Solidworks/Onshape preferred )
  • Good knowledge of GD&T and tolerance analysis
  • Good knowledge of injection molding, die casting, sheet metal stamping, machining, etc
  • Negotiate processes, materials, and design feasibility with factory and vendors
  • Manage basic tradeoffs, determine risk mitigation plans, determine project goal/objective feasibility, provide technical input to product development plans/concept documents, and drive process vendors to evaluate complex mechanical designs and understand risk
  • Lead explorations of new technologies and make estimates on moderately complex mechanical designs including: tooling, part cost, and design time
  • Mentor level 1 and 2 engineers
  • Overseas travel as required

Basic Qualifications
  • Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering AND a minimum of 5 years relevant experience OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
  • Master CAD-user (Solidworks/Onshape preferred) - able to complete the most difficult tasks
  • Demonstrated knowledge and capability to use CAD software for completing complex mechanical designs
  • Demonstrated strong and effective verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills

Desired Qualifications
  • Advanced degree in Engineering, Optics, or Physics
  • 5+ years in illumination systems development of automotive exterior or interior lighting or related application
  • Proficient in the use of optical software (LucidShape preferred, LightTools, Zemax, Speos)
  • Experience designing custom reflector and solid optics using optics software and manual raytracing methods in Mechanical CAD
  • Understanding of test methodologies for optical systems
  • Understanding of thermal management of LEDs and associated drivers
  • Experience with dynamic, digital, and software-controlled lighting systems
  • Understanding of CAE/Simulation methods
  • Experience conducting CFD or FEA simulation for early thermal verification of lighting systems
  • Electronic packaging design experience

Garmin International is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran's status, age or disability.
This position is eligible for Garmin's benefit program. Details can be found here: Garmin Benefits

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