Optical Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Optical Scientist jobs in Pennsylvania are concentrated in a strong and active market, with the highest demand coming from defense optics, semiconductor manufacturing, and academic research corridors centered in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley. Large established employers such as II-VI Incorporated (now Coherent), Lockheed Martin, and Penn State's applied research programs maintain a consistent presence hiring optical scientists across experience levels, from entry-level photonics engineers to senior systems leads. Specialties seeing the most sustained openings include laser systems design, fiber optics, and electro-optical sensor development. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Showing 5 of 16+ Optical Scientist jobs
- 401(k) matching
- Bonus based on performance
- Employee discounts
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Training & development
- Assist patients with proper frame and lens selection.
- Educates patients on various options for both clear lenses, sunglasses, and any other needs the patient may have.
- Ensures proper fit and measurements for all lens types including single vision, bifocal, progressive and others.
- Educates patients on the benefits of having multiple pairs of glasses to fill all their eye care needs.
- Verifies patient insurance and explains their benefits.
- Dispenses glasses and makes sure patients knows about adaptation to new prescriptions, lens types, etc.
- Helps patients with repairs and adjustments.
- Ensures patient phone calls are returned in a timely manner and patient is informed of any delays with eye-wear purchased.
- Assists with any other tasks that need to be completed in the office.
- Customer Service – Must exhibit excellent customer service skills, ensuring each patient interaction exceeds their expectations.
- Sales – Demonstrate strong relationship building skills with patients and ability to educate patients on their options resulting in successful purchases at the practice.
- Team Player - Must be a team player and able to effectively communicate with fellow co-workers, supervisors, and managers.
- Optical Knowledge - It is preferred that the candidate has many years of optical experience.
- Cross-Training - This role will require the candidate to cross-train and assist other roles in the office as needed. Ability to be flexible with work environment.
- 401(k) matching
- Bonus based on performance
- Employee discounts
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Training & development
- Assist patients with proper frame and lens selection.
- Educates patients on various options for both clear lenses, sunglasses, and any other needs the patient may have.
- Ensures proper fit and measurements for all lens types including single vision, bifocal, progressive and others.
- Educates patients on the benefits of having multiple pairs of glasses to fill all their eye care needs.
- Verifies patient insurance and explains their benefits.
- Dispenses glasses and makes sure patients knows about adaptation to new prescriptions, lens types, etc.
- Helps patients with repairs and adjustments.
- Ensures patient phone calls are returned in a timely manner and patient is informed of any delays with eye-wear purchased.
- Assists with any other tasks that need to be completed in the office.
- Customer Service – Must exhibit excellent customer service skills, ensuring each patient interaction exceeds their expectations.
- Sales – Demonstrate strong relationship building skills with patients and ability to educate patients on their options resulting in successful purchases at the practice.
- Team Player - Must be a team player and able to effectively communicate with fellow co-workers, supervisors, and managers.
- Optical Knowledge - It is preferred that the candidate has many years of optical experience.
- Cross-Training - This role will require the candidate to cross-train and assist other roles in the office as needed. Ability to be flexible with work environment.
See All 16 Optical Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optical Scientist JobsOptical Scientist Jobs by City in Pennsylvania
Where Pennsylvania roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Optical Scientist Job Market in Pennsylvania
A snapshot from current Pennsylvania openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Telecommunications
- Electronics & Hardware
What Pennsylvania Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in optical scientist jobs across Pennsylvania.
- Master's or PhD in optical engineering, physics, or a closely related field
- Hands-on experience with optical design software such as Zemax or CODE V
- Demonstrated ability to design, build, and test free-space or fiber optical systems
- Familiarity with laser systems, photonic components, or electro-optical sensors
- Ability to obtain or hold an active U.S. security clearance for defense-related roles
- Strong technical documentation skills and experience collaborating with cross-functional engineering teams
Optical Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a optical scientist in Pennsylvania?
Optical scientists in Pennsylvania typically need at least a bachelor's degree in optical engineering, physics, or photonics, with most competitive roles requiring a master's or PhD. There is no state-issued license specific to this role in Pennsylvania. Employers in the defense sector often require candidates to be eligible for a federal security clearance. Building hands-on experience through university research labs, co-op programs, or internships at Pennsylvania-based optics firms strengthens candidacy considerably.
Which companies hire optical scientists in Pennsylvania?
Companies currently hiring optical scientists in Pennsylvania include Nokia, Teledyne FLIR, and Target Optical, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Pennsylvania's concentration of defense contractors and advanced photonics manufacturers makes it one of the more consistent states for optical scientist openings year-round.
Which Pennsylvania cities have the most optical scientist jobs?
Allentown, Freeport, and Philadelphia have the most optical scientist openings in Pennsylvania. Philadelphia anchors demand through its defense contractor presence and research institutions, Pittsburgh draws on Carnegie Mellon's photonics and robotics ecosystem, and the Lehigh Valley hosts several advanced manufacturing and optics firms, including the Coherent campus, that generate steady specialized hiring.
Are there remote optical scientist jobs in Pennsylvania?
Yes, but they're rare. Optical scientist work is heavily hands-on, requiring access to lab equipment, optical benches, and prototyping facilities that cannot be replicated remotely. About 0% of optical scientist openings tied to Pennsylvania are remote or hybrid as of July 2026. When remote work is available, it tends to apply to data analysis, modeling, or systems-level design tasks rather than experimental or fabrication work.
How can I get hired as a optical scientist in Pennsylvania with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is through a research assistant or junior optical engineer role tied to a Pennsylvania university lab or a defense contractor's early-career program. Coherent and Lockheed Martin both run structured associate and new-graduate programs in Pennsylvania. Candidates from adjacent fields like electrical engineering or materials science who have completed an optics-related thesis, internship, or senior capstone project are competitive. Building a portfolio of Zemax or optical simulation work and pursuing SPIE student membership can sharpen an application.
Where can I find and apply to optical scientist jobs in Pennsylvania?
You can find and apply to optical scientist jobs in Pennsylvania on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings, find the roles that match your background and target location, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 16 Optical Scientist Jobs in Pennsylvania
Find roles in Pennsylvania that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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