Optical Scientist Jobs in Texas
Optical Scientist jobs in Texas concentrate in defense and aerospace systems, semiconductor manufacturing, and medical device research, with the state ranking among the most active U.S. markets for photonics and electro-optical engineering talent at every level from early-career to principal scientist. Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Austin lead hiring, anchored by employers such as L3Harris Technologies, Texas Instruments, and Raytheon. The most in-demand specialties are laser systems design, infrared sensor development, and optical systems integration. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Showing 5 of 81+ Optical Scientist jobs
Transport and Facilities Technician
Location: Austin, TX
Job Summary
The Transport and Facilities Technician plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and operational readiness of network transport hubs and facility infrastructure. This position is responsible for installing, provisioning, maintaining, and troubleshooting transport equipment, dark fiber, DWDM systems, and related network elements across hub offices, data centers, collocation sites, and customer locations. In addition to technical transport responsibilities, this role serves as a primary point of contact for building-related issues, overseeing contractor work, supporting facility maintenance, monitoring power systems and generators, and responding to alarms and emergencies in coordination with the NOC. This position works cross-functionally with Network Engineering, Sales Engineering, Service Delivery, and other operational teams to support new installations, resolve outages, and maintain service continuity. Responsibilities span fiber testing, equipment installation, electrical support, inventory management, and general facility upkeep, making this role essential to maintaining secure, efficient, and high-performing network and facility operations.
Key Competencies
- Deliver timely, accurate, and high-quality results with a strong focus on reliability.
- Build technical expertise and maintain awareness of industry best practices.
- Understand organizational objectives and contribute to supporting business initiatives.
- Demonstrate proficiency within the role while maintaining awareness of adjacent functions.
- Understand the impact of responsibilities on customer experience and overall operations.
- Communicate effectively and seek clarification when necessary.
- Identify and escalate risks appropriately.
- Collaborate openly and effectively with team members and cross-functional teams.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintain and perform troubleshooting and alarm isolation on Network Hub Switches and other network elements.
- Conduct inspections of office batteries, power plants, and emergency generators.
- Install, maintain, and provision transport and MUX equipment within network transport hubs, collocation sites, data centers, and customer locations.
- Troubleshoot dark fiber and DWDM transport systems.
- Interact with customers regarding new installations, disconnects, and service troubleshooting.
- Install cabling, fiber connections, and peripheral equipment at customer premises and data centers.
- Analyze and resolve customer issues, network outages, and service interruptions.
- Test, accept, and document multi-level transport facilities and fiber connectivity.
- Perform preventive maintenance on transport equipment, including cleaning, replacing filters, changing hardware modules, and maintaining organized workspaces.
- Coordinate with third-party vendors and service providers to support network operations.
- Work closely with Sales Engineering, Network Engineering, and Service Delivery teams to support cabinet installations, power requirements, and hardware deployments for data center customers.
- Assist operational teams, including Field Services, Provisioning, NOC, Voice Operations, IP Engineering, Network Engineering, and Central Office Technicians.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for facility-related issues, repairs, and emergencies.
- Monitor contractor performance and ensure work is completed according to specifications and safety standards.
- Support building security initiatives and coordinate with the NOC to respond to alarms and emergencies on a 24/7 basis.
- Assist Facilities Management with annual maintenance budgeting activities.
- Perform basic electrical work and determine when specialized contractors are required.
- Transport equipment and materials to designated sites as needed.
- Perform additional maintenance and operational duties as assigned by management.
Additional Responsibilities
- Interact effectively with all levels of management.
- Adhere to company policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate inventory records.
- Keep work areas clean, organized, and safe.
- Maintain logs, records, and operational databases.
- Demonstrate reliability through strong attendance and punctuality.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED required; an Associate's degree or coursework in Telecommunications is preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting telecommunications facilities, network transport systems, switching environments, and fiber installations.
- At least 1 year of experience with computer systems, data entry, and database management.
- Experience with DWDM transport systems, dark fiber troubleshooting, power systems, and data center environments is highly desirable.
Transport and Facilities Technician
Location: Austin, TX
Job Summary
The Transport and Facilities Technician plays a critical role in ensuring the reliability, performance, and operational readiness of network transport hubs and facility infrastructure. This position is responsible for installing, provisioning, maintaining, and troubleshooting transport equipment, dark fiber, DWDM systems, and related network elements across hub offices, data centers, collocation sites, and customer locations. In addition to technical transport responsibilities, this role serves as a primary point of contact for building-related issues, overseeing contractor work, supporting facility maintenance, monitoring power systems and generators, and responding to alarms and emergencies in coordination with the NOC. This position works cross-functionally with Network Engineering, Sales Engineering, Service Delivery, and other operational teams to support new installations, resolve outages, and maintain service continuity. Responsibilities span fiber testing, equipment installation, electrical support, inventory management, and general facility upkeep, making this role essential to maintaining secure, efficient, and high-performing network and facility operations.
Key Competencies
- Deliver timely, accurate, and high-quality results with a strong focus on reliability.
- Build technical expertise and maintain awareness of industry best practices.
- Understand organizational objectives and contribute to supporting business initiatives.
- Demonstrate proficiency within the role while maintaining awareness of adjacent functions.
- Understand the impact of responsibilities on customer experience and overall operations.
- Communicate effectively and seek clarification when necessary.
- Identify and escalate risks appropriately.
- Collaborate openly and effectively with team members and cross-functional teams.
Duties and Responsibilities
- Maintain and perform troubleshooting and alarm isolation on Network Hub Switches and other network elements.
- Conduct inspections of office batteries, power plants, and emergency generators.
- Install, maintain, and provision transport and MUX equipment within network transport hubs, collocation sites, data centers, and customer locations.
- Troubleshoot dark fiber and DWDM transport systems.
- Interact with customers regarding new installations, disconnects, and service troubleshooting.
- Install cabling, fiber connections, and peripheral equipment at customer premises and data centers.
- Analyze and resolve customer issues, network outages, and service interruptions.
- Test, accept, and document multi-level transport facilities and fiber connectivity.
- Perform preventive maintenance on transport equipment, including cleaning, replacing filters, changing hardware modules, and maintaining organized workspaces.
- Coordinate with third-party vendors and service providers to support network operations.
- Work closely with Sales Engineering, Network Engineering, and Service Delivery teams to support cabinet installations, power requirements, and hardware deployments for data center customers.
- Assist operational teams, including Field Services, Provisioning, NOC, Voice Operations, IP Engineering, Network Engineering, and Central Office Technicians.
- Serve as the primary point of contact for facility-related issues, repairs, and emergencies.
- Monitor contractor performance and ensure work is completed according to specifications and safety standards.
- Support building security initiatives and coordinate with the NOC to respond to alarms and emergencies on a 24/7 basis.
- Assist Facilities Management with annual maintenance budgeting activities.
- Perform basic electrical work and determine when specialized contractors are required.
- Transport equipment and materials to designated sites as needed.
- Perform additional maintenance and operational duties as assigned by management.
Additional Responsibilities
- Interact effectively with all levels of management.
- Adhere to company policies and procedures.
- Maintain accurate inventory records.
- Keep work areas clean, organized, and safe.
- Maintain logs, records, and operational databases.
- Demonstrate reliability through strong attendance and punctuality.
Education and Experience
- High School Diploma or GED required; an Associate's degree or coursework in Telecommunications is preferred.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience supporting telecommunications facilities, network transport systems, switching environments, and fiber installations.
- At least 1 year of experience with computer systems, data entry, and database management.
- Experience with DWDM transport systems, dark fiber troubleshooting, power systems, and data center environments is highly desirable.
See All 81 Optical Scientist Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optical Scientist JobsOptical Scientist Jobs by City in Texas
Where Texas roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Optical Scientist Job Market in Texas
A snapshot from current Texas openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Eyemart Express23
- Target Optical11
- Stanton Optical4
- Apple2
- Nokia2
Top Industries Hiring
- Electronics & Hardware
- Technology & Software
- Science & Research
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Energy
What Texas Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in optical scientist jobs across Texas.
- Master's or PhD in optics, physics, or optical engineering strongly preferred by Texas employers
- Hands-on experience with optical system design software such as Zemax or Code V
- Demonstrated background in laser systems, infrared sensors, or electro-optical components
- Active or clearance-eligible status for defense and aerospace positions in Texas
- Proficiency with laboratory characterization, metrology, and optical bench assembly
- Strong written communication skills for technical documentation and government program reporting
Optical Scientist Jobs in Texas: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a optical scientist in Texas?
Becoming an optical scientist in Texas typically starts with a bachelor's degree in physics, optical engineering, or electrical engineering, though most research and advanced design roles require a master's or PhD. Texas does not issue a state license specific to optical scientists. Employers in the state's defense, semiconductor, and medical device sectors prioritize candidates who have completed graduate research in optics or photonics and can demonstrate laboratory or simulation experience in a relevant specialty.
Which companies hire optical scientists in Texas?
Texas optical scientist roles are posted by Eyemart Express, Target Optical, and Stanton Optical and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Texas's deep concentration of defense contractors, semiconductor fabs, and medical technology companies keeps demand broad and consistent across the state.
Which Texas cities have the most optical scientist jobs?
Austin, Dallas, and Conroe have the most optical scientist openings in Texas. Dallas-Fort Worth and Houston drive volume through large defense contractors and semiconductor manufacturers headquartered in those metros, while Austin's growth in advanced manufacturing and photonics startups has made it an increasingly active market for optical engineering talent.
Are there remote optical scientist jobs in Texas?
Yes, but they're rare. Optical scientist work is fundamentally hands-on, requiring lab access, specialized equipment, and secure facilities, especially in Texas's dominant defense and semiconductor sectors. About 9% of optical scientist openings tied to Texas are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those tend to cover modeling, simulation, or systems analysis tasks rather than laboratory or hardware work.
How can I get hired as a optical scientist in Texas with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an internship or co-op with a Texas defense contractor or semiconductor company while completing a graduate degree in optics or photonics. Employers such as L3Harris and Raytheon run structured early-career programs that accept candidates with strong academic lab work in lieu of industry experience. Adjacent roles in optical technician, photonics test engineer, or physics research associate positions at Texas universities and national labs also serve as practical stepping stones, and a portfolio of optical simulation or design projects strengthens any early-career application.
Where can I find and apply to optical scientist jobs in Texas?
You can find and apply to optical scientist jobs in Texas on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the available roles, find the ones that fit your background and location, and apply directly to each position that matches your experience.
See All 81 Optical Scientist Jobs in Texas
Find roles in Texas that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optical Scientist Jobs