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Staff Optical Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY (NOW HIRING)

ALCHLIGHT LLC

Technical staff members

Rochester, NY

... staff members to bring world-class scientific discoveries to real-world applications. With the ... The desired degrees are in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.

IDEX Corporation

Assembly Supervisor

West Henrietta, NY · On-site

Plan and adjust staffing and workload to meet production demand * Lead or support troubleshooting ... Associate or bachelor's degree in manufacturing, engineering, optics, or a related field preferred ...

IDEX Corporation

Assembly Supervisor

West Henrietta, NY · On-site

Plan and adjust staffing and workload to meet production demand * Lead or support troubleshooting ... Associate or bachelor's degree in manufacturing, engineering, optics, or a related field preferred ...

IDEX

Assembly Supervisor

West Henrietta, NY

Plan and adjust staffing and workload to meet production demand * Lead or support troubleshooting ... Associate or bachelor's degree in manufacturing, engineering, optics, or a related field preferred ...

IDEX Corporation

Assembly Supervisor

West Henrietta, NY

$69K - $103K/yr

Plan and adjust staffing and workload to meet production demand * Lead or support troubleshooting ... Associate or bachelor's degree in manufacturing, engineering, optics, or a related field preferred ...

US Tech Solutions

Project Manager

Fairport, NY · On-site

Ideal candidates will have 5+ years of experience managing engineering or optics-related projects ... US Tech Solutions is a global staff augmentation firm providing a wide range of talent on-demand ...

Corning

Drafting/CAD Technician

Fairport, NY

$58K - $80K/yr

You will work closely with mechanical, optical, and process engineers to translate concepts into accurate, manufacturable designs and provide technical guidance to junior CAD staff. What You'll Do

Corning

Drafting/CAD Technician

Fairport, NY · On-site

$58K - $80K/yr

You will work closely with mechanical, optical, and process engineers to translate concepts into accurate, manufacturable designs and provide technical guidance to junior CAD staff. What You'll Do

Corning

Drafting/CAD Technician

Fairport, NY

$58K - $80K/yr

You will work closely with mechanical, optical, and process engineers to translate concepts into accurate, manufacturable designs and provide technical guidance to junior CAD staff. What You'll Do

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All JobsStaff Optical Engineer JobsStaff Optical Engineer Jobs in Rochester, NY

Staff Optical Engineer information

See Rochester, NY salary details

$81.9K

$141.7K

$166.3K

How much do staff optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for staff optical engineer in Rochester, NY is $141,696.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $127,300.00 and $164,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior optical engineers, especially those with extensive experience, specialized skills, and advanced certifications, can earn salaries approaching or exceeding $500,000 annually in high-paying industries such as defense, aerospace, or semiconductor manufacturing. These roles often require expertise in optical design, systems engineering, and proficiency with tools like Zemax or Code V, along with leadership responsibilities. Compensation varies based on location, company size, and individual expertise.

Are optical engineers in high demand?

Optical engineers are in high demand due to advancements in fields like telecommunications, aerospace, and medical devices. Their expertise in designing and developing optical systems, along with skills in optics simulation and CAD tools, makes them valuable in technology-driven industries with steady growth prospects.

What are Staff Optical Engineers?

Staff Optical Engineers are experienced professionals who design, develop, and test optical systems and components, such as lenses, lasers, and imaging devices. They often lead technical projects, solve complex optical problems, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to bring optical products from concept to production. Their work is critical in industries like telecommunications, medical devices, aerospace, and consumer electronics. Staff-level engineers typically have several years of experience and may mentor junior engineers or contribute to setting technical direction within their organizations.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Staff Optical Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Staff Optical Engineer, you need a strong background in optics, physics, and engineering, typically supported by a relevant degree and experience in optical design. Proficiency with optical simulation software (such as Zemax or Code V), CAD tools, and familiarity with industry standards are commonly required, along with certifications like SPIE or OSA membership being advantageous. Strong problem-solving abilities, communication skills, and attention to detail set outstanding professionals apart in this field. These competencies are crucial for developing innovative optical systems, ensuring product quality, and collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams.

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

AspectStaff Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field; experience in optical design and testingBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Physics, or related field; entry to mid-level experience
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, R&D departments, manufacturing facilitiesDesign teams, manufacturing, research labs
Employer & Industry UsageTech companies, aerospace, defense, medical devicesOptical design firms, tech companies, manufacturing

While both roles involve optical design and testing, a Staff Optical Engineer typically has more experience, takes on leadership responsibilities, and works on complex projects. An Optical Engineer is often an entry to mid-level role focused on supporting optical development tasks.

What engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior optical engineers, especially those with extensive experience, advanced skills in optical design, and certifications, can earn $300,000 or more annually. High-level roles in industries like aerospace, defense, or specialized research often offer such compensation, particularly for engineers with expertise in laser systems, imaging, or photonics and leadership responsibilities.

What are some common challenges faced by Staff Optical Engineers when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Staff Optical Engineers often collaborate with mechanical, electrical, and software engineers to develop complex optical systems. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication across disciplines, as each team may use different technical language and have varying priorities. Additionally, integrating optical components within broader system constraints—such as size, weight, and power—can require creative problem-solving and compromise. Being proactive in cross-functional meetings and documenting requirements thoroughly can help mitigate these challenges and contribute to successful project outcomes.

How much do fiber optic engineers get paid?

Fiber optic engineers, including staff optical engineers, typically earn between $70,000 and $120,000 annually, depending on experience, location, and industry. Senior roles or those with specialized skills in optical design or testing may earn higher salaries, often supplemented with benefits and bonuses.
What are popular job titles related to Staff Optical Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY? For Staff Optical Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Staff Optical Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY look for? The top searched job categories for Staff Optical Engineer jobs in Rochester, NY are:
Staff Optical Engineer jobs near you
Technical staff members

Technical staff members

ALCHLIGHT LLC

Rochester, NY

Full-time

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

An emerging high-tech laser material processing company in Rochester, NY is searching for motivated and talented technical staff members to bring world-class scientific discoveries to real-world applications. With the technologies that are featured 4 times by the New York Times and numerous documentaries aired on PBS, NOVA, and Fox, the company is on an exciting trajectory to bring these technologies to household use. This is an exciting and rewarding position, and the candidates will be able to contribute to a range of technological developments.

THE TASKS:

  • Perform optics and laser-based projects with the state-of-art laser machining. 
  • Working on problem assessment and providing customized technical solutions.
  • Learn new skills to advance technological developments.
  • Work independently or with a project team collaboratively for problem solving.
  • Prepare technical documents, proposals, presentations.
  • Assist technical evaluation, solution suggestions, and cost estimates.
  • Participating in customer meetings by working with the marketing team.
  • Prepare documentation of all types: schematic diagrams, maintenance logs, instruction manuals.
  • Perform other duties consistent with the scope of the position.

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Several technical levels require different qualifications from BS to PhD. The desired degrees are in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field.
  • Working experience with lasers is highly desirable.
  • Fast learner, preferrable with experience in working with optics and lasers.
  • Can work independently and have good writing and data analyzing skills.
  • Good computer skills with office productivity software for e-mail, word processing, and spreadsheets.
  • Problem solving—the individual identifies and resolves problems in a timely manner and gathers and analyzes information.
  • Planning/organizing—the individual prioritizes and plans work activities, uses time efficiently and develops realistic action plans.
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About AlchLight

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Scientific research and development services

Company size

1 - 10 Employees

Headquarters location

Rochester, NY, US

Year founded

2016

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