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Vice President Optics Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Neurophos Inc

VP of Optics

San Jose, CA · On-site

$325K - $400K/yr

Neurophos is seeking a visionary VP of Optics to lead the strategic direction and architectural development of our Optical Processing Unit (OPU) for Neuromorphic AI compute. As a key member of the ...

Krewe Eyewear

VP, Operations

New Orleans, LA · On-site

... optical frames that reflect a deep commitment to quality, individuality, and design. In 2022, we ... The VP, Operations partners closely with the CEO and executive team to build a culture of ...

IDEX

Strategic Marketing VP

Benton Harbor, MI

Vice President - Strategic Marketing, Position Summary: A technically strong strategic marketing ... optics. Maintain and update the source code for IMBED, Pneumatics' playbook for customer ...

Emcore Corporation

VP of Engineering

Concord, CA · On-site

$210K - $265K/yr

As pioneers in fiber optic gyros, and MEMS technologies, we drive innovation across a wide range of navigation applications. VP of Engineering Location: Concord, CA Job Type: Full Time Department:

Emcore

VP of Engineering

Concord, CA · On-site

$197K - $254K/yr

As pioneers in fiber optic gyros, and MEMS technologies, we drive innovation across a wide range of navigation applications. VP of Engineering Location: Concord, CA Job Type: Full Time Department:

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Vice President Optics information

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$43.5K

$157.5K

$277.5K

How much do vice president optics jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for vice president optics in the United States is $157,532.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $115,000.00 and $190,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Vice President of Optics do?

A Vice President of Optics is a senior executive responsible for overseeing the research, development, and implementation of optical technologies within a company. This role involves leading teams of engineers and scientists, setting strategic direction for optics-related projects, and ensuring products meet performance and quality standards. They also collaborate with other departments to drive innovation and maintain competitiveness in fields such as telecommunications, imaging, and photonics. The VP of Optics typically reports to top executives and plays a key role in shaping the company's technology roadmap.

What is the difference between Vice President Optics vs Optical Engineer?

AspectVice President OpticsOptical Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in optics, physics, or engineering; extensive industry experienceBachelor's or Master's in optics, physics, or engineering; some roles may require a PhD
Work EnvironmentExecutive leadership, strategic planning, cross-department collaborationDesign, testing, and development of optical systems; laboratory and office settings
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in high-tech, aerospace, defense, and optics manufacturing companiesCommon in research labs, manufacturing firms, and R&D departments within similar industries

The Vice President Optics typically holds a senior leadership role focused on strategic oversight and management, requiring extensive experience and credentials. In contrast, an Optical Engineer is more involved in technical design and development tasks. Both roles are vital in the optics industry but differ significantly in responsibilities and career level.

What are some common challenges faced by a Vice President of Optics when leading multidisciplinary teams?

As a Vice President of Optics, one of the primary challenges is effectively coordinating between optical engineers, mechanical designers, and software developers to deliver integrated solutions. Balancing technical innovation with project timelines and budget constraints often requires strong leadership and clear communication. Additionally, ensuring alignment between the optics team’s R&D goals and the company's broader business strategy can be complex, especially in rapidly evolving markets. Successful VPs foster collaboration, resolve technical conflicts, and mentor team members while keeping projects on track.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Vice President of Optics, and why are they important?

To excel as a Vice President of Optics, you need deep expertise in optical engineering, strong leadership abilities, and typically an advanced degree (such as a Ph.D. or Master’s) in optics, physics, or a related field. Proficiency with optical design software (e.g., Zemax, Code V), project management tools, and familiarity with manufacturing standards are commonly required. Strategic vision, effective communication, and the ability to inspire and manage multidisciplinary teams are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies are vital for driving innovation, ensuring technical excellence, and aligning optical solutions with overall business objectives.
What cities are hiring for Vice President Optics jobs? Cities with the most Vice President Optics job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Optics jobs? The most popular types of Optics jobs are:
What states have the most Vice President Optics jobs? States with the most job openings for Vice President Optics jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Vice President Optics jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Vice President Optics jobs are:
Vice President Optics jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vice President Optics job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $157,532 per year, or $75.7 per hour.

VP of Optics

Neurophos Inc

San Jose, CA • On-site

$325K - $400K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 5 days ago

Job description

About Neurophos
The demand for new datacenters and AI compute is rapidly outpacing the planet's energy capacity. Digital solutions are hitting a power wall as we approach the physical limits of traditional silicon. Conquering this bottleneck isn't about bigger chips or more of them; it means rethinking the fundamental architecture. The industry's current path isn't going to meet the need, so we took a different approach.
Instead of traditional electronic circuits, we use silicon photonics and an active, programmable metasurface to perform matrix multiplications at the speed of light. Our optical cells are 10,000x smaller than traditional photonic components, enabling unprecedented density. By using photonics instead of electricity, our chips become more efficient as they scale. This architecture will deliver up to 100 times the energy efficiency of existing solutions while significantly improving performance for large-scale AI inference.
We've assembled a world-class team of industry veterans and recently raised a $110M Series A led by Gates Frontier. Participants include M12 (Microsoft's Venture Fund), Carbon Direct Capital, Aramco Ventures, Bosch Ventures, Tectonic Ventures, Space Capital, and others. We have also been recognized on the EE Times Silicon 100 list for several consecutive years.
Join us and shape the future of computing!
Position Overview:
Neurophos is seeking a visionary VP of Optics to lead the strategic direction and architectural development of our Optical Processing Unit (OPU) for Neuromorphic AI compute. As a key member of the leadership team, you will be responsible for setting the optics technology roadmap and defining the architectures that will power the future of photonic AI hardware.
This role requires a proven track record of successfully deploying advanced optical modules into high-volume production. You will lead an elite team of engineers to translate groundbreaking research into robust, market-ready products.
Location: Austin, TX or San Jose, CA. Full-time onsite position.
Key Responsibilities:
  • Strategic Leadership: Define and execute the long-term optics strategy and technology roadmap to maintain Neurophos' competitive edge in AI acceleration.
  • Architectural Development: Lead the design and definition of complex optical architectures for our Optical Processing Unit, ensuring seamless integration with metamaterials and silicon photonics.
  • Technical Oversight: Supervise the modeling and simulation of coherent beam propagation using Gaussian beam optics, physical optics, and generalized beam matrix methods.
  • Production & Scalability: Drive the transition of optical designs from concept to high-volume manufacturing, ensuring all architectures adhere to rigorous Design for Manufacturability (DFM) principles.
  • Precision Engineering: Oversee the development of advanced active alignment and calibration techniques to ensure optimal performance and minimal crosstalk in free-space optical sub-assemblies.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with the CTO and leads in Silicon Photonics, Electrical Engineering, and Software to deliver a unified hardware-software AI platform.
  • Vendor & Ecosystem Management: Manage strategic relationships with external suppliers and manufacturing partners to validate components and secure the supply chain.

Qualifications:
  • PhD or Master's degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field.
  • 15+ years of industry experience in the design and development of high-performance free-space optical systems, with at least 5 years in a technical leadership or management capacity.
  • Demonstrated success in deploying complex optical modules into production, specifically within the consumer electronics, telecommunications, or high-performance computing sectors.
  • Expert-level knowledge of coherent light systems, Gaussian beam propagation, and ABCD matrix analysis.
    • Hands-on proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Zemax, CODE V, or LightTools, as well as scripting in MATLAB or Python for system validation.
    • Deep understanding of active alignment strategies for high-precision assemblies.
  • Expertise in Monte Carlo simulations, tolerance analyses, and stray-light modeling to ensure reliability in real-world scenarios.
  • Exceptional ability to communicate complex optical concepts to both technical stakeholders and non-technical executive leadership.

Preferred Skills:
  • Experience with neuromorphic computing or advanced AI hardware architectures.
  • Knowledge of metamaterials or non-traditional optoelectronic integration.
  • Familiarity with multi-aperture architectures or beam-steering systems.

What We Offer
This is an opportunity to play a pivotal role in an innovative startup redefining the future of AI hardware. Work on a game-changing technology at the intersection of photonics and AI as part of a collaborative and brilliant team. You'll contribute to a platform that redefines computational performance and accelerates the future of artificial intelligence. Come help us bring this transformative technology to the world.
Benefits
Join a team that invests in your future and your well-being. At Neurophos, we offer:
  • 100% coverage of base health plan premiums for you and your dependents, plus HSA contributions.
  • Unlimited PTO. No rigid vacation banks, just a focus on delivery.
  • 401(k) matching and stock option opportunities to ensure our success is your success.
  • Full suite of voluntary benefits, including Dental, Vision, Life, Hospital, Critical Illness, and Accident insurance.
  • Personalized Benefits. Choose the plans that fit your life and take the cash back for those that don't.

Apply