Optical Engineer Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Pennsylvania
Optical engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Pennsylvania are concentrated around Philadelphia's defense and photonics corridor, with major employers including II-VI Incorporated (now Coherent Corp.) in Saxonburg, Lockheed Martin in King of Prussia, and L3Harris Technologies across the state. Pennsylvania's dense research university network and defense contracting base make it one of the stronger states for sponsored optical engineering roles.
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Get Access To All JobsPURPOSE:
The Optical Engineer is a subject matter expert responsible for the design, modeling, characterization, and development of optical systems and eyewear products for commercial and military applications, including ballistic protection, variable light transmission, laser eye protection, and visual display technologies. This role provides technical leadership and pathfinding in optical physics and optical materials, linking fundamental physics, materials, coatings, and process conditions to system-level performance, from concept through transfer to production.
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Lead the design and analysis of optical eyewear lenses and eyewear components to meet performance requirements for ballistic protection, laser protection, and display applications.
- Develop and refine optical models that link design parameters, materials, coating stacks, and process conditions to measurable system performance metrics.
- Plan and execute laboratory experiments to characterize optical components and systems (e.g., refraction, spectral transmission, reflection, haze, polarization), and correlate results with models and product requirements.
- Serve as technology lead and principal investigator for key government and commercial optics programs.
- Act as an internal technical and opportunity consultant in optics, supporting business, value stream, and new product development teams in program execution and capture.
- Participate in the development of technology, research, and product roadmaps in core and adjacent optical technology areas.
- Write or support the writing of white papers, proposals, and technical reports.
- Lead or support departmental initiatives to optimize technical and operational effectiveness.
- Support development of budgets, resource planning, and allocation for optical new product activities.
- Coach and mentor engineers, scientists, and technicians.
- Interface with military and commercial customers, suppliers, universities, and research institutes, representing the company as a subject matter expert in optics.
- Survey technical information streams (literature, patents, conferences) to identify new opportunities and inform product roadmaps.
- Document experimental work and modeling results and help transition technologies and products from development to production.
EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL LICENSE(s) and EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s or Ph.D. in Physics, Optical Science/Engineering, Materials Science, or related engineering discipline with an optics focus; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ten (10) or more years of experience in a business or research organization focused on optical applications; experience leading complex technical programs is strongly preferred.
- Experience with optical technologies for eyewear, laser protection, imaging, or display applications, including materials and coatings development and characterization is a plus.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Deep expertise in physical and geometrical optics, including optical system design, laser–matter interaction, stray light, and scattering.
- Proficiency with optical modeling and design tools (e.g., Zemax/OpticStudio or equivalent), and with spectroscopic and radiometric characterization techniques.
- Strong knowledge of optical materials, polymers, wet coating or thin-film processes, and their impact on optical and mechanical performance.
- Ability to functionally manage technical teams, plan and manage projects, and control budgets and resources.
- Experience communicating directly with customers and senior management, including preparation and delivery of technical presentations and reports.
- Familiarity with intellectual property, white paper and proposal development.
- Knowledge of statistical techniques, experimental design, and data-driven problem solving.
- Demonstrated capability to work in a self-initiated and self-directed manner while handling multiple projects in parallel.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite and project management tools (e.g., MS Project).
POSITION SUPERVISES:
May supervise engineers, technicians.
CONTACT WITH OTHERS:
Daily contact with technical and operational team members, value stream managers, product and program managers, business development, finance, purchasing, customers, vendors, and partners.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL/COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; manual dexterity to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee may lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The individual must have the ability to solve practical problems and a general ability to interpret instructions furnished in verbal, written, diagram or schedule format.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Works majority of the day in a climate-controlled environment, with the exception of or otherwise specified, performing work in the warehouse or manufacturing areas which are subject to changes in temperature and/or noise.
TRAVEL:
Limited travel required
LOCATION:
Gentex’s Carbondale facility is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania in Lackawanna County. Carbondale, PA is about twenty miles north of Scranton, PA, 50 miles south of Binghamton, NY, and about 125 miles from New York City and Philadelphia. The area hosts numerous nearby state parks, nature preserves and local colleges and universities, including The University of Scranton and Marywood University. Northeast Pennsylvania is a beautiful area and offers an excellent cost of living. It is a great place to work, recreate, meet people, raise a family and live!
Gentex Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard for any applicable state or federal protected class. Gentex is an E-Verify Participant. Pre-employment drug/alcohol/background screening is required.
PURPOSE:
The Optical Engineer is a subject matter expert responsible for the design, modeling, characterization, and development of optical systems and eyewear products for commercial and military applications, including ballistic protection, variable light transmission, laser eye protection, and visual display technologies. This role provides technical leadership and pathfinding in optical physics and optical materials, linking fundamental physics, materials, coatings, and process conditions to system-level performance, from concept through transfer to production.
DUTIES, RESPONSIBILITIES, ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
- Lead the design and analysis of optical eyewear lenses and eyewear components to meet performance requirements for ballistic protection, laser protection, and display applications.
- Develop and refine optical models that link design parameters, materials, coating stacks, and process conditions to measurable system performance metrics.
- Plan and execute laboratory experiments to characterize optical components and systems (e.g., refraction, spectral transmission, reflection, haze, polarization), and correlate results with models and product requirements.
- Serve as technology lead and principal investigator for key government and commercial optics programs.
- Act as an internal technical and opportunity consultant in optics, supporting business, value stream, and new product development teams in program execution and capture.
- Participate in the development of technology, research, and product roadmaps in core and adjacent optical technology areas.
- Write or support the writing of white papers, proposals, and technical reports.
- Lead or support departmental initiatives to optimize technical and operational effectiveness.
- Support development of budgets, resource planning, and allocation for optical new product activities.
- Coach and mentor engineers, scientists, and technicians.
- Interface with military and commercial customers, suppliers, universities, and research institutes, representing the company as a subject matter expert in optics.
- Survey technical information streams (literature, patents, conferences) to identify new opportunities and inform product roadmaps.
- Document experimental work and modeling results and help transition technologies and products from development to production.
EDUCATION, PROFESSIONAL LICENSE(s) and EXPERIENCE:
- Master’s or Ph.D. in Physics, Optical Science/Engineering, Materials Science, or related engineering discipline with an optics focus; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Ten (10) or more years of experience in a business or research organization focused on optical applications; experience leading complex technical programs is strongly preferred.
- Experience with optical technologies for eyewear, laser protection, imaging, or display applications, including materials and coatings development and characterization is a plus.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Deep expertise in physical and geometrical optics, including optical system design, laser–matter interaction, stray light, and scattering.
- Proficiency with optical modeling and design tools (e.g., Zemax/OpticStudio or equivalent), and with spectroscopic and radiometric characterization techniques.
- Strong knowledge of optical materials, polymers, wet coating or thin-film processes, and their impact on optical and mechanical performance.
- Ability to functionally manage technical teams, plan and manage projects, and control budgets and resources.
- Experience communicating directly with customers and senior management, including preparation and delivery of technical presentations and reports.
- Familiarity with intellectual property, white paper and proposal development.
- Knowledge of statistical techniques, experimental design, and data-driven problem solving.
- Demonstrated capability to work in a self-initiated and self-directed manner while handling multiple projects in parallel.
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite and project management tools (e.g., MS Project).
POSITION SUPERVISES:
May supervise engineers, technicians.
CONTACT WITH OTHERS:
Daily contact with technical and operational team members, value stream managers, product and program managers, business development, finance, purchasing, customers, vendors, and partners.
PHYSICAL/MENTAL/COMMUNICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; manual dexterity to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear; and taste or smell. The employee may lift and/or move up to 50 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by the job may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The individual must have the ability to solve practical problems and a general ability to interpret instructions furnished in verbal, written, diagram or schedule format.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
Works majority of the day in a climate-controlled environment, with the exception of or otherwise specified, performing work in the warehouse or manufacturing areas which are subject to changes in temperature and/or noise.
TRAVEL:
Limited travel required
LOCATION:
Gentex’s Carbondale facility is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania in Lackawanna County. Carbondale, PA is about twenty miles north of Scranton, PA, 50 miles south of Binghamton, NY, and about 125 miles from New York City and Philadelphia. The area hosts numerous nearby state parks, nature preserves and local colleges and universities, including The University of Scranton and Marywood University. Northeast Pennsylvania is a beautiful area and offers an excellent cost of living. It is a great place to work, recreate, meet people, raise a family and live!
Gentex Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard for any applicable state or federal protected class. Gentex is an E-Verify Participant. Pre-employment drug/alcohol/background screening is required.
Optical Engineer Job Roles in Pennsylvania
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Search Optical Engineer Jobs in PennsylvaniaOptical Engineer Jobs in Pennsylvania: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for optical engineers in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's optical engineering sponsorship activity is led by defense and photonics-focused employers. Coherent Corp. (formerly II-VI Incorporated), headquartered in Saxonburg, is one of the most active sponsors for optical and photonics engineering roles in the state. Lockheed Martin, L3Harris Technologies, and Raytheon also file sponsorship petitions for optical engineers at Pennsylvania facilities, particularly for roles involving laser systems, electro-optical sensors, and precision optics manufacturing.
Which visa types realistically fit optical engineer roles in Pennsylvania?
Optical engineering qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a directly related bachelor's degree, making H-1B visa the most common visa path. Canadian and Mexican nationals can pursue TN visa status under the USMCA Engineer profession. Australian nationals may apply for the E-3 visa, and Chilean and Singaporean nationals have access to the H-1B1 visa. F-1 students may work under OPT or, with a STEM-designated engineering degree, a 24-month STEM OPT extension. Employer-sponsored EB-2 or EB-3 green cards are also pursued for longer-term hires.
How to find optical engineer visa sponsorship jobs in Pennsylvania?
Migrate Mate lists Pennsylvania employers with verified visa sponsorship history for optical engineering roles, letting you search specifically within the state rather than sorting through national postings. Given that Pennsylvania's optical engineering demand is concentrated in defense, photonics, and semiconductor optics, filtering by role and location on Migrate Mate surfaces the employers in corridors like Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Saxonburg that have an active track record of sponsoring international engineers.
Which cities in Pennsylvania have the most optical engineer sponsorship jobs?
Philadelphia and its western suburbs, particularly King of Prussia and Wayne, host the highest concentration of sponsored optical engineering positions due to the dense defense contractor presence. Pittsburgh offers strong opportunities tied to Carnegie Mellon University's optics and photonics research output and regional advanced manufacturing employers. Saxonburg, north of Pittsburgh, is notable specifically as Coherent Corp.'s headquarters and a significant hub for photonics and laser engineering sponsorship activity.
Are there state-specific factors that affect optical engineer visa sponsorship in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania's optical engineering hiring is heavily tied to defense contracts and Department of Defense clearance requirements, which can complicate sponsorship for international candidates since many positions require U.S. security clearances that non-citizens are generally ineligible to hold. Roles in commercial photonics, fiber optics, and semiconductor optics manufacturing tend to have fewer clearance restrictions and represent the more accessible sponsorship pathway. Penn State, Pitt, and Drexel University also serve as direct pipelines for OPT and STEM OPT candidates into regional optical engineering roles.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored optical engineer jobs in Pennsylvania?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.