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Sr Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Applied Energetics, Inc

Senior Optical Engineer

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 ...

Applied Energetics, Inc

Senior Optical Engineer

Tucson, AZ

$110K - $143K/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 ...

KLA Corporation

Senior Optical Engineer (E)

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$125K - $212K/yr

The senior optical engineer in the LS-Swift group will support current projects and also work on future generation products. The successful candidate will have good physics knowledge of classical ...

Atom Computing

Senior Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Atom Computing is seeking an Senior Optical Engineer to lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems and to drive their build out and develop fixtures and processes for their precision alignment and ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

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 ...

LLNL

Senior Optical Engineer

Livermore, CA · On-site

$122K - $168K/yr

We have an opening for a Senior Optical Engineer to support the development of advanced optical instrumentation and payloads for space missions that contribute to U.S. national security and ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

Camas, WA

$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 ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

Camas, WA

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 ...

nLIGHT

Senior Optical Engineer

Camas, WA

$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 ...

Atom Computing

Senior Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO

$150K - $175K/yr

Atom Computing is seeking an Senior Optical Engineer to lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems and to drive their build out and develop fixtures and processes for their precision alignment and ...

Orbotech

Senior Optical Engineer (E)

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$125K - $212K/yr

The senior optical engineer in the LS-Swift group will support current projects and also work on future generation products. The successful candidate will have good physics knowledge of classical ...

Atom Computing

Senior Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Atom Computing is seeking an Senior Optical Engineer to lead the design of opto-mechanical subsystems and to drive their build out and develop fixtures and processes for their precision alignment and ...

Ametek

Sr Optical Engineer

Denville, NJ · On-site

$123K - $160K/yr

This position will report directly to the Sr. Manager, Optical Engineering. Our Special Optics team is a design, development and manufacturing group located in Denville, New Jersey. As an Optical ...

Ephemeris Net

Senior Optical Engineer

El Segundo, CA · On-site

$137K - $177K/yr

The Role We are looking for an Optical Engineer to own the design, build, test, and flight of the ... Senior Engineer: $170,000 - $210,000 * Staff Engineer: $200,000 - $250,000 * Generous equity ...

KLA Corporation

Senior Optical Engineer (E)

Milpitas, CA · On-site

$125K - $212K/yr

The senior optical engineer in the LS-Swift group will support current projects and also work on future generation products. The successful candidate will have good physics knowledge of classical ...

IonQ

Senior Optical Engineer

Bothell, WA · On-site

$114K - $150K/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 ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions ...

Leidos

Senior Optical Engineer

Chula Vista, CA · On-site

$131K - $237K/yr

Leidos Defense Space Business Area is seeking a Senior Optical Engineer to support the Emerging Space Systems Division in developing optical payload systems for the Space Force, including missions ...

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All JobsSr Optical Engineer Jobs

Sr Optical Engineer information

See salary details

$83K

$143.6K

$168.5K

How much do sr optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for sr optical engineer in the United States is $143,611.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $129,000.00 and $167,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are Sr Optical Engineers?

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, and why are they important?

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.

More about Sr Optical Engineer jobs
What cities are hiring for Sr Optical Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Sr Optical Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Sr Optical Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Sr Optical Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Sr Optical Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Sr Optical Engineer jobs are:
Sr Optical Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Sr Optical Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $143,611 per year, or $69 per hour.
Senior Optical Engineer

Senior Optical Engineer

Foxconn Industrial Internet

Houston, TX • On-site

$123K - $159K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Job description

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 high-volume manufacturing. This role focuses on the optical subsystem architecture, performance margins, tolerances, contamination sensitivity, and system stability, and will drive validation, characterization, and production readiness from prototypes through product maturity.
This is a highly cross-functional role working closely with NPI, test engineering, manufacturing teams, and customers to ensure robust optical performance and scalable production solutions.
Key Responsibilities
  • Lead deep-dive investigations of complex optical path issues, identifying root causes and driving improvements across design, test, fixtures, and manufacturing processes through structured experiments and DOE methodologies.
  • Partner with NPI and Test Engineering teams to develop manufacturable optical measurement strategies, including selection and integration of optical test equipment for product development and production environments.
  • Collaborate with customers and internal teams to define and implement optical inspection and cleaning processes to improve yield, reduce retest rates, and maintain optical performance standards.
  • Support Site Acceptance Testing (SAT) for automated optical inspection and cleaning systems by defining acceptance criteria, conducting qualification and correlation studies, and closing readiness gaps prior to production release.
  • Qualify optical test equipment and stations through measurement system analysis, including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and station-to-station correlation studies.
  • Analyze production and test data to identify performance gaps and implement corrective actions prior to mass production.
  • Document technical findings, validation results, and process improvements to support design and manufacturing readiness.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field.
  • 5+ years of experience in optical engineering, optical testing, or optical manufacturing/NPI supporting complex hardware systems in laboratory or production environments.
  • Proven experience troubleshooting optical path issues, including fiber connectors, end-face quality, contamination control, and optical signal integrity.
  • Hands-on experience implementing optical measurement systems, including automation, calibration, data logging, and traceability.
  • Experience defining and validating optical inspection and cleaning processes in collaboration with cross-functional or customer teams.
  • Strong experimental and analytical skills with experience conducting structured experiments (DOE) and applying data-driven decision making.
  • Ability to produce clear technical documentation and communicate findings to engineering and manufacturing teams.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with optical switching products or high-speed networking optics, including fiber-based interconnects, optical modules, or optical assemblies.
  • Familiarity with high-speed optical link testing and performance metrics such as BER, eye diagrams, jitter margin, and signal integrity analysis.
  • Experience supporting equipment qualification and production readiness, including SAT planning and execution.
  • Working knowledge of measurement system capability analysis including Cg/Cgk, GR&R, and correlation studies.
  • Experience working with mechanical designs and interpreting 2D/3D CAD drawings.

Work Location: Houston, TX  (onsite)
Foxconn Industrial Internet is an Equal Opportunity Employer and considers applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
 

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