Optical Engineer Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Optical engineer jobs qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations, making them strong candidates for visa sponsorship. Employers in defense, semiconductor, and medical device sectors file LCAs regularly for this role. Your degree in optics, physics, or photonics is the foundation, the right employer match determines the rest.
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Get Access To All JobsSUMMARY
Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It’s the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something.
DESCRIPTION
The Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test and qualification of camera hardware for Apple products. The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on the development and system-level integration of new illumination components such as the camera flash.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or relevant field of study.
- Experience in LightTools, SPEOS, Zemax non-sequential, RSoft, or Lumerical.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s or PhD degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or relevant field of study with 3 years of relevant industry experience.
- Experience in optical design applied to illumination systems such as general lighting, automotive lighting, displays, cameras, or optical metrology.
- Ability to write scripts to automate optical simulations and data analysis (Python, Matlab, C#, C++, VB).
- Experience using AI coding agents (Claude Code, MCP servers, agent skills) along optical software (LightTools, CODE V, Zemax) to automate simulation and analysis work.
- Ability to verify AI-generated scripts and results against optics first-principles. Build and validate tools and workflows for use across the larger team.
- Experience with optical characterization equipment such as spectrophotometers and scatterometers.
- Understanding of LEDs and solid-state lighting.
- Familiarity with CAD software such as NX or SolidWorks.
- Ability to interface with cross-functional teams to support integration of illumination components into systems and assess feasibility of new optical concepts.
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $150,400 and $225,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
SUMMARY
Apple is where individual imaginations gather together, committing to the values that lead to great work. Every new product we build, service we create, or Apple Store experience we deliver is the result of us making each other’s ideas stronger. That happens because every one of us shares a belief that we can make something wonderful and share it with the world, changing lives for the better. It’s the diversity of our people and their thinking that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do. When we bring everybody in, we can do the best work of our lives. Here, you’ll do more than join something — you’ll add something.
DESCRIPTION
The Camera Hardware Engineering group is responsible for all research, design, development, test and qualification of camera hardware for Apple products. The team is looking for an Optical Engineer to work on the development and system-level integration of new illumination components such as the camera flash.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor’s degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or relevant field of study.
- Experience in LightTools, SPEOS, Zemax non-sequential, RSoft, or Lumerical.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Master’s or PhD degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or relevant field of study with 3 years of relevant industry experience.
- Experience in optical design applied to illumination systems such as general lighting, automotive lighting, displays, cameras, or optical metrology.
- Ability to write scripts to automate optical simulations and data analysis (Python, Matlab, C#, C++, VB).
- Experience using AI coding agents (Claude Code, MCP servers, agent skills) along optical software (LightTools, CODE V, Zemax) to automate simulation and analysis work.
- Ability to verify AI-generated scripts and results against optics first-principles. Build and validate tools and workflows for use across the larger team.
- Experience with optical characterization equipment such as spectrophotometers and scatterometers.
- Understanding of LEDs and solid-state lighting.
- Familiarity with CAD software such as NX or SolidWorks.
- Ability to interface with cross-functional teams to support integration of illumination components into systems and assess feasibility of new optical concepts.
COMPENSATION
- Base pay range for this role is between $150,400 and $225,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation.
Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.
Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics.
At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.
Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.
See all 73+ Optical Engineer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Optical Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Optical Engineer
Verify your degree field alignment
H-1B specialty occupation requires a bachelor's degree in a directly related field. For optical engineering roles, degrees in optics, photonics, physics, or electrical engineering typically qualify. A general engineering degree may trigger an RFE if the job duties don't align tightly.
Pull LCA filings by job title
Search OFLC public disclosure data filtered to 'Optical Engineer' and related titles like 'Photonics Engineer.' This shows which employers have already filed LCAs for these roles, confirming they understand the sponsorship process and have done it before.
Target defense and semiconductor employers strategically
Optical engineering sponsorship clusters in defense contractors, semiconductor fabs, and medical imaging companies. These employers hold active H-1B programs and file consistently. Government-contract work sometimes requires security clearances, so flag that early in your search on Migrate Mate.
Benchmark your prevailing wage tier before negotiating
Use the OFLC Wage Search to look up the prevailing wage for your target metro and experience level before any offer discussion. Your LCA must certify at least the Level I or Level II wage, and knowing the floor prevents you from accepting an underpaying offer that could complicate filing.
Align your resume to O*NET optical engineer tasks
USCIS adjudicators evaluate whether the actual job duties constitute a specialty occupation. Cross-reference your resume against the O*NET profile for optical engineers and make sure your listed responsibilities match the core technical tasks, not generic engineering language.
Confirm PERM labor certification isn't needed first
If an employer wants to sponsor you for an EB-2 or EB-3 green card alongside H-1B, the PERM labor certification process adds months before the green card petition. Clarify the employer's intended pathway at the offer stage so your timeline expectations are realistic.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does optical engineering qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B?
Yes. Optical engineering roles typically require a bachelor's degree or higher in optics, photonics, physics, or electrical engineering, which satisfies USCIS's specialty occupation definition. Employers must document that the specific job duties require that theoretical and practical application of a body of specialized knowledge. Generic job descriptions that accept any engineering degree can create problems at adjudication.
Which visa types are available to optical engineers seeking U.S. sponsorship?
The H-1B is the most common path for optical engineers. Australian nationals can use the E-3 visa, which has a separate cap and no lottery. Chilean and Singaporean nationals may qualify for the H-1B1 visa. All three require a specialty occupation degree match and an employer-filed Labor Condition Application with DOL. Longer-term, EB-2 and EB-3 green card categories are available through PERM labor certification.
How do I find employers who actively sponsor optical engineers?
Search Migrate Mate to browse optical engineer roles at employers with verified sponsorship history. The platform surfaces companies that have filed LCAs for this specific role type, so you're not guessing at which employers are open to sponsorship.
Does a master's degree in optics improve H-1B approval odds?
A master's degree strengthens the specialty occupation argument because it demonstrates advanced, field-specific knowledge. It also makes you eligible for the H-1B advanced degree cap, which provides an additional 20,000 slots on top of the regular 65,000 cap. For roles at the boundary of what qualifies as specialty occupation, a graduate degree from an accredited U.S. program reduces RFE risk.
Can optical engineers with security clearances face extra visa complications?
Clearance requirements don't block H-1B eligibility, but they can limit which employers will sponsor you. Many defense contractors require U.S. citizenship or existing clearance eligibility before hiring, which excludes most foreign nationals. Focus on commercial optical and photonics employers, medical device companies, and semiconductor firms where clearance isn't a standard requirement for the role.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Optical Engineer jobs?
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.