What does an optical engineer do?
An Optical Engineer designs optical devices to be used in eyewear, telescopes, cameras, and lasers. They ensure that optical and electronic components meet all given specifications.
Optical engineer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real optical engineer resumes:
- Lead a team of engineers, manage, organize and prioritize multiple projects from design to commissioning and provisioning.
- Invent, design and lead the prototyping of a high contrast Fresnel lens/projection screen and its ultra-thin cabinet-less projection display.
- Manage Jenkins security by providing specific access to authorize developers/testers using project base matrix authorization strategy.
- Design of complex optical instruments from UV to IR.
- Model lens defects and their impact on system performance using ZEMAX.
- Assist in optical design and analysis for HEL effects testing and perform data analysis using MATLAB.
- Develop hardware, MATLAB software, and all program management and systems engineering documents for optical team.
- Develop Matlab simulation of LIDAR.
- Perform FEA of assemblies and components.
- Release part numbers by ECO/MCO, setup BOM for cost control.
- Research and design UV light sources for curing adhesives and printing inks.
- Create on demand reports using SQL queries and spatial data from GIS software
- Develop data logging and instrument control programs in LabView for wafer probe station.
- Design tasks include working with vendor to optimize alignment telescopes for the NIR.
- Optimize IR mode-lock laser design for beam quality, high power, and pulse width.
Optical engineer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 11% of Optical Engineers are proficient in Zemax, Data Analysis, and Optical Components. They’re also known for soft skills such as Concentration, Initiative, and Speaking skills.
We break down the percentage of Optical Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Zemax, 11%
Ray tracing capabilities using CAD package ZEMAX for both sequential and non-sequential designs.
- Data Analysis, 7%
Supported data analysis for changes in coating properties by tracking and summarizing measurement results.
- Optical Components, 5%
Performed design of small optical components and subsystems for different experiments, optimization, tolerance analysis and specification for fabrication.
- Solidworks, 5%
Designed and detailed lens housing components and determined lens mechanical envelope using SolidWorks.
- CAD, 4%
Gained proficiency in CAD, design control, Chemical compatibility, Geometric dimensions and tolerance, Statistical analysis.
- System Performance, 4%
Size of new products is significantly reduced with even improved system performance.
"zemax," "data analysis," and "optical components" are among the most common skills that optical engineers use at work. You can find even more optical engineer responsibilities below, including:
Concentration. One of the key soft skills for an optical engineer to have is concentration. You can see how this relates to what optical engineers do because "electrical and electronics engineers design and develop complex electrical systems and electronic components and products." Additionally, an optical engineer resume shows how optical engineers use concentration: "provide supports for nasa customer to measure targeted atmospheric gas concentrations. "
Initiative. Many optical engineer duties rely on initiative. "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake," so an optical engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways optical engineer responsibilities rely on initiative: "led project management for funding and engineering initiatives involved with capacity planning of central us sites. "
Speaking skills. optical engineers are also known for speaking skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to optical engineer responsibilities, because "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians." An optical engineer resume example shows how speaking skills is used in the workplace: "represented the manufacturing department for product development. "
Writing skills. A big part of what optical engineers do relies on "writing skills." You can see how essential it is to optical engineer responsibilities because "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." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical optical engineer tasks: "project management, inspections, report writing, client support, supervising interns. "
Math skills. Another common skill required for optical engineer responsibilities is "math skills." This skill comes up in the duties of optical engineers all the time, as "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." An excerpt from a real optical engineer resume shows how this skill is central to what an optical engineer does: "designed hardware and software for high speed math functions for a controlled guidance system. "
The three companies that hire the most optical engineers are:
- Zebra Technologies104 optical engineers jobs
- Apple27 optical engineers jobs
- L3Harris10 optical engineers jobs
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Compare different optical engineers
Optical engineer vs. Research and development engineer
Research and development engineers generally execute research and tests on product ideas, develop new products, and perform redesigns. They are employed in many industries, including manufacturing, electrical, and science-based companies. Their duties vary and depend on the industries they work in. Responsibilities of these engineers include developing new technologies, designing products, and managing the projects until they are completed. Additionally, they lead the project team members to manage their schedules, design the project plans, and collaborate with key departments in developing new products.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, optical engineer responsibilities require skills like "zemax," "optical components," "system performance," and "code v." Meanwhile a typical research and development engineer has skills in areas such as "python," "c #," "patients," and "project management." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Research and development engineers really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $107,654. Comparatively, optical engineers tend to make the most money in the telecommunication industry with an average salary of $107,367.On average, research and development engineers reach similar levels of education than optical engineers. Research and development engineers are 4.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 7.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Optical 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that optical engineer responsibilities requires skills like "zemax," "data analysis," "optical components," and "solidworks." But a radio frequency engineer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "antenna," "system design," "troubleshoot," and "macro."
Radio frequency engineers may earn a lower salary than optical engineers, but radio frequency engineers earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $94,522. On the other hand, optical engineers receive higher pay in the telecommunication industry, where they earn an average salary of $107,367.radio frequency engineers earn similar levels of education than optical engineers in general. They're 2.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 7.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Optical engineer vs. Development engineer
A Development Engineer is responsible for the development and validation of products, systems, and components. They are also responsible for quality control of work and continuous improvement of engineer activities.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from optical engineer resumes include skills like "zemax," "optical components," "system performance," and "code v," whereas a development engineer is more likely to list skills in "java," "python," "c #," and "software development. "
Development engineers earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $105,648. Optical engineers earn the highest pay from the telecommunication industry, with an average salary of $107,367.Most development engineers achieve a lower degree level compared to optical engineers. For example, they're 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 8.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Optical engineer vs. Senior engineer
A senior engineer is responsible for overseeing all operations within a designated area. With years of experience and expertise, a senior engineer may take charge of establishing goals, deadlines, and budgets for a particular project. They must devise and implement strategies that would improve the quality of workflow and deliver significant results. Furthermore, a senior manager must also supervise a team of skilled engineers, leading them in the joint effort to reach the company's vision and mission, all while adhering to the safety standards and regulations.
Types of optical engineer
Updated January 8, 2025
