Principal Optical Engineer Jobs
Principal Optical Engineer jobs are open across defense, semiconductor, medical devices, and consumer electronics, from mid-level to staff and principal, with specializations in lens design, laser systems, and imaging optics. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 35+ Principal Optical Engineer jobs
Ready to take on meaningful challenges and shape the next generation of mobility?
Joining OPmobility means stepping into a global group with a purpose to keep people and goods moving safely, smarter, and sustainably everywhere.
- Job Title : Principal Engineer – Optical Performance & Validation
- Type of contract : Long-term At-will
- Expected Hiring Date : June 2026
- Scope : regional
Responsibilities :
- Drive technical acceptance and adoption of OPmobility lighting technologies by OEMs in North America.
- Serve as the global technical authority for optical performance and validation of exterior lighting systems.
- Enable the successful validation of advanced and complex optical systems, including ADB.
- Define, standardize, and deploy global optical validation methods, tools, and best practices.
- Support regional teams in resolving complex optical issues and accelerating root-cause analysis.
Ideal Candidate Profile :
- Master’s degree in engineering, Optics, or Physics or 10 years of working experience in Automotive exterior lighting with focus on main functions.
- At least 5 years of automotive optical development with track record of deliveries of optical designs
- Development and validation of ADB and complex optical systems.
- Optical benchmarking and performance evaluation.
- Definition and execution of optical test methodologies.
- Use of optical testing equipment (e.g. goniometers, flux spheres, luminance cameras).
- Deep knowledge of exterior lighting regulations and standards (ECE, SAE, IIHS).
- Evaluation of optical metrics such as homogeneity, visibility, performance, and compliance.
- Strong customer and results orientation
- Ability to lead through influence and technical authority.
- Excellent organization, prioritization, and planning skills.
- Clear, structured, and persuasive communication.
- Collaborative mindset across global, multicultural teams.
- High level of curiosity, learning agility, and innovation mindset.
- Willingness to travel internationally (approx. 20–25% of time).
At OPmobility, people truly matter. We are committed to building inclusive teams, promoting diversity and equality, and ensuring that every application is considered fairly - because the future of mobility is built by diverse perspectives, bold ideas, and people who dare to move forward.
Innovation is therefore not a buzzword, but a natural part of everyday work. You’ll grow in an international environment where cutting-edge technologies, industrial excellence, and real-world impact come together to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s automotive industry.
Founded in 1946 by Pierre Burelle, OPmobility, known until 2024 as Plastic Omnium, has transformed itself into a player in sustainable and connected mobility. Today, OPmobility develops technological solutions across four areas of expertise: exterior and lighting systems, the integration of complex modules, technologies related to energy storage, hydrogen and electrification, and a division dedicated to the development of embedded software and digital solutions.
With €11.5 billion in revenue in 2025, 152 factories, 40 R&D centers, and nearly 38,100 employees across 28 countries, OPmobility combines global scale with local impact. All driven by a shared ambition to accelerate the automotive energy transition.
Ready to take on meaningful challenges and shape the next generation of mobility?
Joining OPmobility means stepping into a global group with a purpose to keep people and goods moving safely, smarter, and sustainably everywhere.
- Job Title : Principal Engineer – Optical Performance & Validation
- Type of contract : Long-term At-will
- Expected Hiring Date : June 2026
- Scope : regional
Responsibilities :
- Drive technical acceptance and adoption of OPmobility lighting technologies by OEMs in North America.
- Serve as the global technical authority for optical performance and validation of exterior lighting systems.
- Enable the successful validation of advanced and complex optical systems, including ADB.
- Define, standardize, and deploy global optical validation methods, tools, and best practices.
- Support regional teams in resolving complex optical issues and accelerating root-cause analysis.
Ideal Candidate Profile :
- Master’s degree in engineering, Optics, or Physics or 10 years of working experience in Automotive exterior lighting with focus on main functions.
- At least 5 years of automotive optical development with track record of deliveries of optical designs
- Development and validation of ADB and complex optical systems.
- Optical benchmarking and performance evaluation.
- Definition and execution of optical test methodologies.
- Use of optical testing equipment (e.g. goniometers, flux spheres, luminance cameras).
- Deep knowledge of exterior lighting regulations and standards (ECE, SAE, IIHS).
- Evaluation of optical metrics such as homogeneity, visibility, performance, and compliance.
- Strong customer and results orientation
- Ability to lead through influence and technical authority.
- Excellent organization, prioritization, and planning skills.
- Clear, structured, and persuasive communication.
- Collaborative mindset across global, multicultural teams.
- High level of curiosity, learning agility, and innovation mindset.
- Willingness to travel internationally (approx. 20–25% of time).
At OPmobility, people truly matter. We are committed to building inclusive teams, promoting diversity and equality, and ensuring that every application is considered fairly - because the future of mobility is built by diverse perspectives, bold ideas, and people who dare to move forward.
Innovation is therefore not a buzzword, but a natural part of everyday work. You’ll grow in an international environment where cutting-edge technologies, industrial excellence, and real-world impact come together to tackle the challenges of tomorrow’s automotive industry.
Founded in 1946 by Pierre Burelle, OPmobility, known until 2024 as Plastic Omnium, has transformed itself into a player in sustainable and connected mobility. Today, OPmobility develops technological solutions across four areas of expertise: exterior and lighting systems, the integration of complex modules, technologies related to energy storage, hydrogen and electrification, and a division dedicated to the development of embedded software and digital solutions.
With €11.5 billion in revenue in 2025, 152 factories, 40 R&D centers, and nearly 38,100 employees across 28 countries, OPmobility combines global scale with local impact. All driven by a shared ambition to accelerate the automotive energy transition.
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Find JobsPrincipal Optical Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing
- Electronics & Hardware
- Technology & Software
- Distribution & Wholesale
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in principal optical engineer jobs.
- Advanced degree in optical engineering, physics, or a closely related field
- Proficiency in optical design software such as Zemax OpticStudio or CODE V
- Experience designing and tolerancing complex optical systems from concept through qualification
- Demonstrated background in imaging, laser, or illumination subsystem development
- Ability to obtain or current possession of a U.S. security clearance for defense roles
- Familiarity with optical metrology tools and characterization methods such as interferometry
Tips for Your Principal Optical Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to optical subsystems
List the specific optical subsystems you've designed end-to-end, such as beam delivery, interferometric sensors, or illumination engines. Hiring managers scan for depth in a named subsystem, not a broad optics background, so lead with your most complex deliverable.
Highlight simulation tool proficiency explicitly
Name the exact software you've used, whether Zemax OpticStudio, CODE V, FRED, or LightTools, and state what you analyzed with each. Generic 'optical design software' on a resume loses to a candidate who lists tool, task, and outcome together.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists principal optical engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Target postings by application domain
Filter openings by domain before applying. Defense photonics, biomedical imaging, and LiDAR for autonomous vehicles each require different credentialing and clearance histories. Applying to the domain where your portfolio is deepest raises your callback rate noticeably.
Prepare a design-review style technical walkthrough
Many interviews at this level include a live optical design review where you walk through a previous project's trade studies, tolerancing decisions, and final performance results. Practice presenting one complex design verbally, without slides, as if to a skeptical peer review panel.
Negotiate scope before accepting any offer
At the principal level, your leverage is in the scope of the role, not just compensation. Ask directly which programs you'd own from requirements to qualification, whether you'd lead junior engineers, and what the IP assignment terms cover for patents you generate during employment.
Principal Optical Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most principal optical engineers?
The companies hiring the most principal optical engineers right now include BAE Systems USA, Coherent, and Molex, with the largest share of openings in California, New Hampshire, and Texas, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Defense contractors, semiconductor equipment makers, and medical imaging firms consistently account for the highest volume of openings at this seniority level.
How many principal optical engineer jobs are remote?
About 50% of principal optical engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on lab and hardware integration work this role typically requires. Sub-areas with the highest remote share tend to be optical system modeling, tolerancing analysis, and technical program management roles that do not require physical access to test equipment.
How do you become a principal optical engineer?
Most principal optical engineers start with a master's or doctoral degree in optical engineering, applied physics, or electrical engineering with a photonics focus. From there, you build hands-on experience designing and qualifying complete optical subsystems, not just components. Taking ownership of tolerancing, vendor coordination, and system-level performance validation across multiple programs is what separates candidates ready for a principal title from those still at senior level. Publishing technical work or filing patents in a focused application area accelerates the transition.
Can you get hired as a principal optical engineer without direct experience at that level?
It is possible if you can demonstrate that you have already performed principal-level responsibilities without holding the title. Document programs where you independently drove optical architecture decisions, led design reviews, or mentored engineers, even if your official title was senior. Smaller companies and startups are more likely to promote on demonstrated scope than on title history, so targeting growth-stage hardware companies can open doors that larger primes keep title-gated.
What does the principal optical engineer interview process look like?
Most processes run three to four stages. An initial screen with a recruiter or hiring manager focuses on your background and program history. A technical phone or video interview covers optical design fundamentals, tolerancing philosophy, and your approach to system trade studies. An onsite or virtual loop then includes a detailed design presentation, peer interviews across mechanical and systems engineering, and sometimes a live problem-solving exercise using optical design software. Final rounds at defense-focused employers often include a discussion of clearance status and program fit.
Where can I find and apply to principal optical engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to principal optical engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing from the page.
See All 35 Principal Optical Engineer Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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