Optical Scientist Jobs in Missouri

Optical Scientist jobs in Missouri draw steady demand from a concentrated cluster of defense, aerospace, and research institutions, with openings at every level from junior lab roles to senior systems engineers. The heaviest hiring activity is in St. Louis and Kansas City, anchored by employers like Boeing, Honeywell, and Washington University in St. Louis, which maintains active optics and photonics research programs. Sensor systems, laser engineering, and optical systems design are the specialties appearing most consistently in Missouri postings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles5
Top employerEyeglassworld
Top cityKansas City, MO
Cities hiring3
Work type100% Hybrid
Top credentialBachelor's degree

Showing 5 of 5+ Optical Scientist jobs

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General Manager - Optical
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E
Added 2w ago
General Manager - Optical
Eyeglassworld
Springfield, Missouri
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Project Management
Bachelor's degree

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Target Optical
Optometrist-Kansas City, MO-Target Optical
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Target Optical
Added 3w ago
Optometrist-Kansas City, MO-Target Optical
Target Optical
Kansas City, Missouri
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Patient Services & Wellbeing

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Kansas City National Security Campus
Sr Optical Test Engineer
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Kansas City National Security Campus
Added 1mo ago
Sr Optical Test Engineer
Kansas City National Security Campus
Kansas City, Missouri
Electrical Engineering
Engineering (Non-Software)
Manufacturing Engineering
Hybrid
Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering
5,001-10,000

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America's Best
General Manager - Optical
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America's Best
Added 1mo ago
General Manager - Optical
America's Best
Grandview, Missouri
Business Operations
Revenue Operations & Enablement
Sales
Bachelor's degree

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Smiths Interconnect
Product Line Director - Optical Transceivers
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Smiths Interconnect
Added 2mo ago
Product Line Director - Optical Transceivers
Smiths Interconnect
Kansas City, Missouri
Business Analysis
Product Management
Project Management
$90k - $150k/yr
Master's degree in business administration
1,001-5,000

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Optical Scientist Jobs by City in Missouri

Where Missouri roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Kansas City
3 jobs
Grandview
1 job
Springfield
1 job

Optical Scientist Job Market in Missouri

A snapshot from current Missouri openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

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Eyeglassworld1 open role
America's Best
America's Best1 open role
Target Optical
Target Optical1 open role

What Missouri Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in optical scientist jobs across Missouri.

  • Bachelor's or advanced degree in optical engineering, physics, or photonics required
  • Hands-on experience designing or characterizing optical systems or components
  • Proficiency with optical modeling software such as Zemax or Code V
  • Familiarity with defense or aerospace optical system requirements and testing standards
  • Experience with laser systems, fiber optics, or electro-optical sensor integration
  • Strong documentation skills and ability to support design reviews and technical reports

Optical Scientist Jobs in Missouri: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a optical scientist in Missouri?

Missouri does not require a state-issued license for optical scientists, so the path runs through education and employer qualifications rather than a licensing board. Most Missouri employers in defense and aerospace require at least a bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or a closely related field, with a master's or doctorate preferred for research roles. Gaining hands-on lab experience through university programs at Missouri S&T or Washington University in St. Louis strengthens applications considerably.

Which companies hire optical scientists in Missouri?

Companies currently hiring optical scientists in Missouri include Eyeglassworld, America's Best, and Target Optical, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Missouri's defense and aerospace concentration means many of the most active employers hold government contracts tied to sensor, imaging, and laser system development.

Which Missouri cities have the most optical scientist jobs?

Kansas City, Grandview, and Springfield account for the largest share of optical scientist openings in Missouri. St. Louis leads because of its dense aerospace and defense contractor ecosystem, anchored by Boeing's major operations there, while Kansas City draws openings tied to Honeywell and a growing cluster of photonics and instrumentation firms in the region.

Are there remote optical scientist jobs in Missouri?

Yes, but they're rare. Optical scientist work is heavily lab- and hardware-dependent, which limits full remote arrangements. About 100% of optical scientist openings tied to Missouri are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those tend to cover analysis, simulation, or systems engineering tasks that don't require direct access to physical test equipment.

How can I get hired as a optical scientist in Missouri with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is through a research assistantship or cooperative education program at Missouri S&T or Washington University in St. Louis, both of which have established relationships with the state's defense and aerospace employers. Look for entry-level titles like junior optical engineer, optical test technician, or photonics lab associate, which often serve as the front door. Building a portfolio of optical design or simulation projects, even from coursework, gives candidates a concrete edge when competing for first-role openings.

Where can I find and apply to optical scientist jobs in Missouri?

You can find and apply to optical scientist jobs in Missouri on Migrate Mate, which lists current Missouri openings across defense, aerospace, research, and instrumentation employers. Find the roles that fit your background and apply directly from the listings.

See All 5 Optical Scientist Jobs in Missouri

Find roles in Missouri that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Optical Scientist Jobs