What does an optical design engineer do?
An optical design engineer is an optics specialists who uses their scientific skills to design solutions and solve optical problems. Optical design engineers are essential in the field of laser technology, telescopes, optical lenses, and fiber optics. You will be responsible for designing and building devices that enable better utilization of optics technology and requires in-depth scientific optical knowledge as well as high technical design abilities. Optical design engineers are problem solvers in the field of optics.
Optical design engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real optical design engineer resumes:
- Manage automation projects including purchasing, scheduling fabrication and assembly, debugging, and delivery to customer.
- Handle cost analysis, quotes, BOM.
- Programme GE touch screen operator interfaces (HMI) and design operator control consoles.
- Enhance machine efficiency by designing and testing HMI screens to maximize ease of operation.
- Support many FLIR production programs with boresight, MTF, thermal focus and tolerance analysis.
- Used knowledge of C/C++, ZEMAX, and MetroPro to add new design and analysis capabilities.
- Create complete electrical, power distribution, I/O layout, pneumatic and hydraulic schematics using AutoCAD.
- Measure all optical performance attributes of lens and camera modules including MTF, FOV, F/ #.
- Utilize PLC control techniques to monitor and control systems involving process flow, temperature, motion control and alarming.
- Develop inkjet-printed UV-fluorescent downconversion coatings to sensitize standard photodiodes to UV.
- Help troubleshoot network security issues in any manifestation / document resolutions.
- Develop specialized PLC sequencing and develop pneumatic sub-systems for multiple systems.
- Develop and design analog and digital circuit hardware for avionics and navigation systems.
- Design and develop text processing software to streamline data input from requirements documents into database applications.
- Design, document and install standardized digital islands for analog television broadcast network emergence to the digital convergence.
Optical design engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 16% of Optical Design Engineers are proficient in Optical Design, MATLAB, and Zemax. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Interpersonal skills.
We break down the percentage of Optical Design Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Optical Design, 16%
Lead optical design efforts for a 14.5x MWIR Zoom lens.
- MATLAB, 15%
Calculated electrical requirements using MATLAB, and determined the best material and manufacturing processes.
- Zemax, 15%
Designed and Simulating refractive and diffractive lens systems under the design rules of wafer-level technologies by using Zemax.
- Optical Systems, 8%
Support of all phases of optical engineering: design, analysis, manufacture and testing of optical systems.
- Light Analysis, 7%
Performed radiometric modeling, stray light analysis, and system optimization to improve the sensitivity and environmental stability.
- DOD, 5%
Expedite repair to unit to ensure quality and quantity are delivered to the DoD customer.
Common skills that an optical design engineer uses to do their job include "optical design," "matlab," and "zemax." You can find details on the most important optical design engineer responsibilities below.
Concentration. The most essential soft skill for an optical design engineer to carry out their responsibilities is concentration. This skill is important for the role because "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." Additionally, an optical design engineer resume shows how their duties depend on concentration: "provide supports for nasa customer to measure targeted atmospheric gas concentrations. "
Initiative. Another essential skill to perform optical design engineer duties is initiative. Optical design engineers responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Optical design engineers also use initiative in their role according to a real resume snippet: "coordinated with the management and the product development team to implement continuous improvement initiatives. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of optical design engineers is interpersonal skills. This skill is critical to many everyday optical design engineer duties, as "electrical and electronics engineers must work with others during the manufacturing process to ensure that their plans are implemented correctly." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "handled engineering design calculations with strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills. "
Speaking skills. A big part of what optical design engineers do relies on "speaking skills." You can see how essential it is to optical design engineer responsibilities because "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical optical design engineer tasks: "developed and presented 3d computer models to ensure accuracy of engineering installation and assembly drawings using pro/engineer wildfire. "
Writing skills. Another common skill required for optical design engineer responsibilities is "writing skills." This skill comes up in the duties of optical design engineers all the time, as "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." An excerpt from a real optical design engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what an optical design engineer does: "designed industrial washers and ovens by drawing of assembly and detail prints along with writing short term bom items. "
Math skills. Lastly, "math skills" is an important element of what an optical design engineer does. Optical design engineer responsibilities require this skill because "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." This resume example highlights how optical design engineer duties rely on this skill: "developed matlab bit-accurate mathematical golden reference model for verification. "
The three companies that hire the most optical design engineers are:
- Apple10 optical design engineers jobs
- Amazon3 optical design engineers jobs
- Lockheed Martin3 optical design engineers jobs
Compare different optical design engineers
Optical design engineer vs. Engineering trainee
An engineering trainee is responsible for shadowing engineers in their duties and performing administrative tasks as needed. Engineering trainees assist the engineers in inspecting construction sites and conducting field research. They also identify cost-efficient materials and resources that meet quality standards and client specifications. An engineering trainee must have excellent communication and organizational skills, especially in writing reports, attending meetings, and ensuring that all reports are submitted for management's reviews, such as contracts from suppliers and vendors.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between optical design engineers and engineering trainee. For instance, optical design engineer responsibilities require skills such as "optical design," "zemax," "optical systems," and "light analysis." Whereas a engineering trainee is skilled in "excellent interpersonal," "fire protection," "technical support," and "r." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Engineering trainees tend to make the most money working in the energy industry, where they earn an average salary of $63,253. In contrast, optical design engineers make the biggest average salary, $95,316, in the technology industry.The education levels that engineering trainees earn slightly differ from optical design engineers. In particular, engineering trainees are 5.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an optical design engineer. Additionally, they're 8.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Optical design engineer vs. Radio frequency engineer
A radio frequency engineer, also known as RF engineer, specializes in designing and developing communication systems using radio waves. One of their primary responsibilities revolves around creating networks and systems and testing equipment. They make sure that equipment is up to high standards by traveling to different areas as needed, troubleshooting issues to identify the root of problems and performing corrective measures required. Furthermore, a radio frequency engineer must continuously optimize equipment quality and ensure efficiency while adhering to the laws and regulations.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, optical design engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "optical design," "matlab," "zemax," and "optical systems." Meanwhile, a radio frequency engineer has duties that require skills in areas such as "test equipment," "antenna," "system performance," and "troubleshoot." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, radio frequency engineers earn a lower salary than optical design engineers. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, radio frequency engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $94,522. Whereas optical design engineers have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $95,316.In general, radio frequency engineers achieve similar levels of education than optical design engineers. They're 1.1% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 8.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Optical design engineer vs. Senior pcb designer
A Project Controls Engineer creates project cost reports and progress charts. These professionals interpret the company contract and deal with the existing cost control database and financial risk. Project Controls Engineers reconcile and organize the project cost information with the clients' status reports. Also, they evaluate cash flow reports and project cost reports prepared by CMA.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an optical design engineer is likely to be skilled in "optical design," "matlab," "zemax," and "optical systems," while a typical senior pcb designer is skilled in "rf," "schematic capture," "pcb layout," and "analog."
Senior pcb designers typically earn lower educational levels compared to optical design engineers. Specifically, they're 20.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 8.8% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Optical design engineer vs. Project controls engineer
Even though a few skill sets overlap between optical design engineers and project controls engineers, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an optical design engineer might have more use for skills like "optical design," "matlab," "zemax," and "optical systems." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of project controls engineers require skills like "project controls," "project management," "construction management," and "primavera p6. "
The energy industry tends to pay the highest salaries for project controls engineers, with average annual pay of $94,074. Comparatively, the highest optical design engineer annual salary comes from the technology industry.The average resume of project controls engineers showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to optical design engineers. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 6.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 8.2%.Types of optical design engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
