Optical Scientist Jobs in Austin, TX
Optical Scientist jobs in Austin, Texas are in strong demand, concentrated in the Domain, Mueller, and North Austin research corridor, across defense optics, semiconductor equipment, and photonics. Employers hiring right now include Apple, Oracle, and Magic Leap. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 21+ Optical Scientist jobs
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.
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 21 Optical Scientist Jobs in Austin
Find roles in Austin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optical Scientist JobsOptical Scientist Job Market in Austin
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Electronics & Hardware
- Science & Research
- Energy
Optical Scientist Jobs in Austin: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a optical scientist job in Austin?
The strongest path into Austin's optical scientist market runs through its defense and semiconductor sectors, which cluster in North Austin, Round Rock, and Cedar Park. Candidates with hands-on experience in laser systems, optical design software, or metrology stand out. Networking through UT Austin's optics research community and local IEEE photonics chapter events also opens doors that cold applications rarely do.
Which companies hire optical scientists in Austin?
Companies currently hiring optical scientists in Austin include Apple, Oracle, and Magic Leap, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Austin's hiring base skews toward semiconductor equipment manufacturers, defense contractors with classified photonics programs, and optics-focused startups spinning out of university research.
Are there remote optical scientist jobs in Austin?
Yes, but sparingly, optical scientist work is largely hands-on, requiring lab access, prototype testing, and equipment calibration that can't be done remotely. About 15% of optical scientist openings tied to Austin are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, and those tend to be simulation-heavy or optical systems modeling roles. Design and analysis work is the most remote-compatible portion of the role in Austin.
How can I get a optical scientist job in Austin with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Austin is through a research assistant or optical engineering technician role, particularly at semiconductor equipment companies and university-affiliated labs in the Mueller and East Riverside corridors. Candidates who have completed optics-focused coursework, internships through UT Austin or Texas State, or built a portfolio around Zemax or COMSOL simulations consistently move faster through hiring pipelines than those relying on credentials alone.
Which industries hire the most optical scientists in Austin?
Austin optical scientist roles concentrate in Technology & Software, Electronics & Hardware, and Science & Research, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Austin's position as a hub for semiconductor fabrication, defense R&D, and precision manufacturing creates sustained demand across those sectors for optical design, testing, and systems integration expertise.
See All 21 Optical Scientist Jobs in Austin
Find roles in Austin that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Optical Scientist Jobs