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Urgently Hiring Principal Optical Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Inuplands

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$95 - $245/hr

We are seeking an innovative and driven Principal Optical Engineer (PMTS) to lead the charge in ... hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the ...

Atom Computing

Principal Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO

$160K - $185K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement ... Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how ...

Atom Computing

Principal Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO · On-site

$160K - $185K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement ... Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how ...

Atom Computing

Principal Optical Engineer

Boulder, CO

$160K - $185K/yr

We are seeking a Principal Optical Engineer. As a technical lead, you will define and implement ... Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how ...

Draper Inc.

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$95 - $245/hr

## Principal Optical EngineerApplyremote type: Onsite Requiredlocations: Cambridge, MAtime type: Full ... hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the ...

Draper

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA

$95K - $245K/yr

We are seeking an innovative and driven Principal Optical Engineer (PMTS) to lead the charge in ... hiring process.Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the ...

Draper

Principal Optical Engineer

Cambridge, MA · On-site

$95K - $245K/yr

We are seeking an innovative and driven Principal Optical Engineer (PMTS) to lead the charge in ... hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the ...

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Urgently Hiring Principal Optical Engineer information

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$147.2K

$212.5K

How much do urgently hiring principal optical engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for urgently hiring principal optical engineer in the United States is $147,220.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $118,500.00 and $173,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Urgently Hiring Principal Optical Engineer vs Optical Engineer?

AspectUrgently Hiring Principal Optical EngineerOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsAdvanced degrees (MS/PhD), extensive experienceBachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering or related field
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, project management, cross-disciplinary teamsDesign, testing, and development tasks in labs or manufacturing
Industry UsageHigh-level R&D, product development, strategic planningDesign and analysis of optical systems, component testing

Urgently Hiring Principal Optical Engineers typically hold advanced degrees and lead complex projects, while Optical Engineers focus on design and testing tasks. The principal role involves strategic oversight, whereas the optical engineer executes technical work within teams.

Are optical engineers in demand?

Optical engineers are in high demand due to advancements in fields like telecommunications, defense, and medical imaging. They often require expertise in optics design, laser systems, and relevant software tools, making their skills valuable in various high-tech industries.

What cities are hiring for Urgently Hiring Principal Optical Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Urgently Hiring Principal Optical Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Optical Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Principal Optical Engineer jobs are:

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Urgently Hiring Principal Optical Engineer jobs near you

Principal Optical Engineer

QuEra Computing, Inc.

Boston, MA • On-site

$151K - $236K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Principal Optical Engineer

The Hardware Engineering Group at QuEra Computing is seeking strong candidates for a Principal Optical Engineer to serve as a senior individual contributor to the company's mission of building state-of-the-art, manufacturable, and deployable neutral atom quantum computers. The Hardware Engineering Group plays a crucial role in accelerating the company's technology leadership and translating the company's scientific breakthroughs into products delivered to customers. To accomplish this mission, we are looking to hire a candidate with graduate-level education in optics, optical engineering, or applied physics with industry experience in an enterprise engineering environment. The ideal candidate will combine a deep, fundamental understanding of several areas of optics, design, and engineering. Although candidates with a Ph.D. in physics may be considered, applicants should ensure they have sufficient professional experience beyond academia in an enterprise engineering environment to establish themselves independently as a Principal-level engineer.

Key Job Responsibilities
  • Optical module design and development
  • Work with physicists to understand requirements and architect optical systems, sub-systems, modules, and components to support QuEra's neutral atom computers through the full development lifecycle (R&D, productization, maintenance, and beyond).
  • Technically lead an interdisciplinary team of engineers (optical, electronic, mechanical, etc.) through the product development process to take an optical module from early phase concept through to implementation and production.
  • Advance state-of-the-art engineering practices at QuEra through independent research, problem-solving, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  • Coordinate closely with the R&D/science team to enable cutting-edge R&D and translate scientific advances into the next generation of products.
  • Troubleshoot technical issues at company headquarters and off-site installations at customer locations (in coordination with local support team).
Qualifications

Required:

  • Master's degree in optics, optical engineering, applied physics, or a closely related field.
  • 10-15 years non-academic work experience.  Experience at an enterprise scale as well as startup preferred.
  • Deep experience and knowledge of 
    • Free-space optics
    • Lens design
    • Fiber optics
    • Lasers
    • Optical system characterization and testing
    • Opto-mechanics
  • Experience bringing complex optical systems from concept to production
  • Expertise with using Mechanical CAD software (e.g. Inventor, Solidworks), Product Data Management (PDM) software, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software
  • Expertise with Optical simulation software (e.g. Zemax)

Preferred:

  • Experience with quantum computing, especially neutral atom
  • Professional work experience in commercial product development and off-site product deployment at customer premises.

#LI-DA1

The approximate base salary range for this position is $151,200 - $236,250.

We consistently monitor external market data and update base salary ranges accordingly.  We determine base compensation decisions on several factors, including as geographic placement, role-specific knowledge, skills, and/or experience.  In addition to our base salary offerings, we also provide equity grants for all new hires.

QuEra is committed to cultivating a diverse work environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We highly value diversity in our current and future employees and do not discriminate (including in our hiring and promotion practices) based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

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