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Senior Engineer

COHERENT

Sunnyvale, CAFull-time$115–150K/yrSeen todaySeen in employer's feed today

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At a glance

Compensation
$115–150K/yr
Location
Sunnyvale, CA
Schedule
Full-time
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Job overview

The Senior Engineer sources optical components, builds prototypes from optical designs, characterizes fiberoptic devices, and supports production and qualification activities. The role also develops standard operating procedures and build and test reports. Candidates should have an engineering or related technical degree and experience with free-space optics alignment; multidisciplinary optics, materials science, and mechanical engineering backgrounds are preferred.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Optical Components, nice to haveFiberoptic Devices, nice to haveOptical Component Sourcing, nice to havePrototype Building, nice to haveDevice Characterization, nice to haveFree-Space Optics Alignment, nice to haveTelecom Fibers, nice to haveCables, nice to haveConnectors, nice to haveEpoxies, nice to haveOptical Alignment, nice to haveOptical Alignment Analysis, nice to haveProblem Solving, nice to haveSupplier Engagement, nice to haveProject Management, nice to haveTraining, nice to haveInterpersonal Communication, nice to havePresentation Skills, nice to haveComputer Skills, nice to haveMicrosoft Word, nice to haveMicrosoft Excel, nice to haveMicrosoft Outlook, nice to haveMicrosoft PowerPoint, nice to haveEmail, nice to haveInternet, nice to haveApplication Development, nice to have

Qualifications

BS or MS in Engineering or Related Technical Fields, nice to have2+ Years Related Experience, nice to have

Full job description

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

  • Have good understanding of basic optical components and fiberoptic devices like collimator array, PBS , PBSA .

  • Source and select optical components from suppliers.

  • Build prototypes based on optical designs.

  • Characterize fiberoptic devices.

  • Generate build and test reports.

  • Develop SOPs (Standard Operation Procedure).

  • Participate in qualification activities.

  • Support production.

Education & Experience

  • BS or MS in engineering or related technical fields (Optics, Physics, Photonics).

  • 2-5 years of related experience, free space optics alignment.

Skills

  • Multidisciplinary background in optics, materials science, mechanical engineering preferred.

  • Familiar with telecom fibers, cables, connectors, epoxies.

  • Work independently in optical alignment for space optic assembly and alignment.

  • Ability to work with minimal supervision and to manage assigned tasks and projects effectively.

  • Ability to read, learn and analyze optical alignment processes, search for solutions in the public domain as well as create/develop innovative solutions.

  • Ability to leverage knowledge and experience and apply them to solve problems resourcefully.

  • Ability to search, locate and work proactively with external suppliers in the areas of his/her expertise to engage other capabilities into the project tasks involved in.

  • Effectively managing multiple priorities and projects.

  • Ability to teach and train others within the work group.

  • Excellent interpersonal communication and presentation skills.

  • Proficient computer skills, experience with Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Email, internet access and the ability to develop tools and/or special applications within these packages.

Working Conditions

  • May require occasional off-site meetings or travel

  • Regular use of a computer and other office equipment is necessary

  • Interaction with team members and external contacts is a regular part of the job

  • May require occasional overtime and flexibility in work hours to accommodate the executive’s needs

  • Good office working conditions also can work in a Class 10000 clean-room environment for process development, wearing smock with mask and gloves.

Physical Requirements

  • Sitting for extended periods while working on a computer or conducting meetings.

  • Use of hands and fingers for typing, writing, and handling documents.

  • Occasional lifting of objects or materials up to 20 pounds for administrative tasks.

  • Ability to communicate verbally and in writing.

  • Mobility within the office environment to attend meetings or interact with colleagues.

Safety Requirements

All employees are required to attend scheduled training, follow the site EHS procedures and Corporate EHS standards. This includes the use of proper protective equipment (PPE) as required by the job responsibilities.

Managers will ensure that all safety and environmental procedures are followed consistently. They will ensure that risk assessments are performed, proper training, work instructions, required PPE is available, and will monitor compliance.

Quality and Environmental Responsibilities

Depending on location, this position may be responsible for the execution and maintenance of the ISO 9000, 9001, 14001 and/or other applicable standards that may apply to the relevant roles and responsibilities within the Quality Management System and Environmental Management System.

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company’s values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

I ntegrity – Create an Environment of Trust

C ollaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

A ccountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

R espect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

E nthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected] .

ABOUT US

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.

Job Identification: 2016022

Degree Level: Bachelor's Degree

Job Schedule: Full time

Pay Scale: $115000 - 150,000 annual

How this job compares

Set against the 422 open Optical Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 12, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$115–150K/yr
  • California median$139–200K/yr79 salary ranges
  • US median$115–200K/yr376 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $133K, is 21% below the California median midpoint ($168K) — in the lowest quarter of Optical Engineer salary ranges in California.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 96 open Optical Engineer jobs in California and 422 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in California
Experience
This posting asks for at least 2 years of experience — less than three in four Optical Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for (median 5 years, across 366 postings).
Education
250 of the 422 open Optical Engineer jobs (59%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 12, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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