Optical Scientist Jobs in USA with Visa Sponsorship
Optical scientists developing laser systems, photonic devices, and advanced imaging technology qualify for H-1B visa, O-1 visa, and EB-2 visa sponsorship. This specialized role requires deep expertise in optics, photonics, or related physics fields, making it attractive to employers seeking R&D talent for defense, telecommunications, and medical device companies. For detailed occupation requirements, see the O*NET profile.
Find Optical Scientist JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 277+ Optical Scientist jobs










See all 277+ Optical Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Optical Scientist roles.
Get Access To All Jobs
INTRODUCTION
Warby Parker is searching for an Optical Supervisor to join our growing team of in-house optical professionals. In this role, you'll rely on your optical prowess, friendly demeanor, and product expertise to create incredible customer experiences. Whether you're helping longtime Warby Parker fans or first-time wearers, you'll leave them excited and confident about our glasses. Acting as a keyholder to the store, you'll help open and close up shop as well as maintain internal operations. As a leader of the team, you'll foster an upbeat and productive work environment for the opticians and retail advisors. Our ideal candidate is an energetic self-starter and a lifelong learner who's eager to help Warby Parker grow. Sound like your cup of tea? Read on!
Optical duties:
- Work directly with customers to help meet all of their eyewear needs
- Take and record measurements, adjust and fit eyewear, and execute these details with flawless accuracy
- Check that our finished eyewear meets our optical standards, as well as customer requirements and requests
- Use your expertise to explain prescription terminology and product offerings to customers
Leadership responsibilities:
- Set your store up for success each day by ensuring that all operational, service, and staff zoning procedures are executed to Warby Parker standards
- Drive the store vision and sales by providing above-and-beyond service on the floor and acting as the main contact for customer and operational questions
- Work with store management to lead and mentor the Optical team, including participants of our Optician Apprentice Program, and exemplify what great service looks like
- Help maintain general store systems, inventory databases, and business operations
- Foster and support a productive, positive employee culture in your store
Who you are
- A licensed dispensing optician in states that require a license or an ABO-certified optician in non-licensing states, with 2+ years of experience, including supervisor responsibilities
- Passionate about the eyewear and retail industries
- A clear, effective, and professional communicator—you can break down technical terms for customers to easily understand
- Dedicated to going above-and-beyond to make customers (and your teammates!) happy
- An energetic, positive team player who's able to adapt in a fast-paced, ever-changing work environment
- Extremely detail-oriented, cool under pressure, and capable of juggling a wide range of responsibilities
- Open-minded—you're constantly learning and challenging what you know
- Someone who takes your work very seriously, but not yourself
- Not on the Office of Inspector General's List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE)
In compliance with local and state requirements, Warby Parker is committed to pay transparency. We offer a comprehensive compensation package that includes not only a competitive base salary/hourly rate but also variable compensation for eligible employees.
For applicable postings, the range listed is a good faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation is thoughtfully determined by a variety of factors, including the candidate's qualifications, experience, internal equity, and relevant market data.
For applicable postings, non-exempt employees are eligible for overtime pay if you are required to work more than 40 hours in a workweek.
Some benefits of working at Warby Parker for full-time employees:
- Health, vision, and dental insurance
- Life and AD&D Insurance
- Paid sick leave
- Paid Holidays
- Vacation days per year
- Retirement savings plan (401(k))
- Parental leave (non-birthing parents included)
- Short-term disability
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Bereavement Support
- Optical Education Reimbursement
- Free eyewear
- And more (just ask!)
Some benefits of working at Warby Parker for part-time employees:
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan
- Free eyewear
- Paid sick leave
- And more (just ask!)
Warby Parker will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the California Fair Chance Act.
If you are a California resident, please review the additional privacy disclosures available in Section 8 of our Privacy Policy, which provides a summary of how we collect, use, disclose, and share personal information about you and explain your rights under the California Privacy Rights Act (“CPRA”).
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
CO only: The application window for this position is anticipated to close on the apply before date listed. We encourage interested candidates to apply through our Career website.
1 WA only: Full-Time employees’ paid sick leave is accrued at a rate of 1 hour per every 26 hours worked. Full-time employees receive 5 paid holidays and 5-10 vacation days per year (after waiting period, depending on tenure and hours worked). 2 WA PT only: Paid sick leave (accrued at a rate of 1 hour per every 30 hours worked).
Warby Parker was founded with a mission: to inspire and impact the world with vision, purpose, and style.
We're constantly asking ourselves how we can do more and make a greater impact, and that starts by reimagining everything that a company and industry can be. We want to demonstrate that a business can scale while doing good in the world, without charging a premium for it. And we’ve learned that it takes creativity, empathy, and innovation to achieve that goal.
Since the day we launched in 2010, we’ve pioneered ideas, designed products, and developed technologies that help people see. We offer everything you need for happier eyes at a price that leaves you with money in your pocket, from designer-quality glasses and contacts to eye exams and vision tests, and you can meet us online, at our stores, or even in your home. Wherever and whenever you need it, we’re there to make exceptional vision care simple and accessible.
Ultimately, we believe in vision for all, which is why for every pair of glasses or sunglasses we sell, a pair of glasses is distributed to someone in need through our Buy a Pair, Give a Pair program.
See all 277+ Optical Scientist Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Optical Scientist roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Visa Sponsorship as an Optical Scientist
Highlight photonics and laser expertise
Emphasize specialized skills in laser physics, fiber optics, or quantum optics. These niche areas are harder to fill domestically, strengthening your sponsorship case with USCIS and making you more valuable to employers.
Target defense and aerospace companies
Companies like Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, and Boeing frequently sponsor optical scientists for classified projects. Security clearance eligibility can be a significant advantage in this sector's sponsorship decisions.
Document advanced degree requirements
Most optical scientist positions require a PhD in optics, physics, or electrical engineering. Ensure job descriptions explicitly state this degree requirement to strengthen H-1B specialty occupation arguments.
Consider O-1 for research achievements
Published research, patents, or recognition in optical sciences can qualify you for O-1 extraordinary ability status. This path has no cap limits and faster processing than H-1B.
Research university partnerships
Many optical research roles are at universities or government labs with existing H-1B cap-exempt status. These positions can sponsor immediately without lottery concerns or annual quotas.
Prepare for technical interviews
Be ready to explain complex optical concepts clearly during interviews. Employers need confidence that you can communicate technical findings to both engineering teams and business stakeholders effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a PhD to get H-1B sponsorship as an optical scientist?
Most optical scientist positions require a PhD in optics, physics, electrical engineering, or related field. While a master's degree plus extensive experience might qualify for some roles, the PhD requirement strengthens the H-1B specialty occupation argument and is standard for research positions in photonics and laser development.
How to find Optical Scientist jobs with visa sponsorship?
To find Optical Scientist jobs with visa sponsorship, use Migrate Mate, which specializes in sponsored positions. Focus your search on tech companies, defense contractors, telecommunications firms, and research institutions that commonly hire optical scientists. Target H-1B visa opportunities, as these roles typically qualify for skilled worker visas due to the specialized technical expertise required in photonics and laser technology.
Which visa is better for optical scientists - H-1B or O-1?
O-1 can be superior if you have published research, patents, or recognition in optical sciences. It has no annual cap, faster processing, and allows more flexibility. H-1B remains the standard path for most positions, but O-1 is worth pursuing if you meet the extraordinary ability criteria through research achievements.
Do optical scientists have good H-1B approval rates?
Yes, optical scientist positions typically have high H-1B approval rates because they clearly require specialized knowledge in physics and engineering. The advanced degree requirements and technical complexity of the work make it easy to demonstrate specialty occupation status to USCIS.
Can I get sponsored for optical engineering roles with an optics PhD?
Yes, an optics or physics PhD often qualifies for optical engineering positions, especially in R&D environments. However, some engineering roles may prefer electrical or mechanical engineering degrees. Review job requirements carefully and be prepared to explain how your optics background applies to engineering tasks.
Are there cap-exempt opportunities for optical scientists?
Yes, many optical research positions are at universities, national labs, or nonprofit research institutions that are H-1B cap-exempt. Companies like MIT Lincoln Laboratory, NIST, or university-affiliated research centers can sponsor immediately without lottery concerns, making them strategic targets for international candidates.
What is the prevailing wage requirement for sponsored Optical Scientist 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.