Optical engineer
Also known as: optical engineering expert, optical engineering specialist, optical engineering consultant, optic engineer, optical technology engineering consultant, optical technology engineering adviser
About this occupation
Optical engineers design and develop different industrial applications with optics. They have knowledge of light, light transmission principles, and optics in order to design engineering specs of equipment such as microscopes, lenses, telescopes, and other optical devices.
Essential skills and knowledge
- perform scientific research
- test optical components
- analyse test data
- develop optical test procedures
- design drawings
- optics
- optical engineering
- optical glass characteristics
- physics
- adjust engineering designs
- mathematics
- engineering principles
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Health and Safety Engineers, Except Mining Safety Engineers and Inspectors (O*NET 17-2111.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Investigate industrial accidents, injuries, or occupational diseases to determine causes and preventive measures.
- Conduct research to evaluate safety levels for products.
- Evaluate product designs for safety.
- Conduct or coordinate worker training in areas such as safety laws and regulations, hazardous condition monitoring, and use of safety equipment.
- Maintain and apply knowledge of current policies, regulations, and industrial processes.
- Recommend procedures for detection, prevention, and elimination of physical, chemical, or other product hazards.
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Investigative, Realistic, Conventional
Top skills: Reading Comprehension, Active Listening, Writing, Critical Thinking, Speaking, Complex Problem Solving
US median pay: US$115,160 a year (2025), 21,450 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.9)
- Business Studies or EntrepreneurshipO*NET: Administration and ManagementVery important (3.7)
- Government and PoliticsO*NET: Law and GovernmentVery important (3.7)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (3.6)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalVery important (3.5)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsImportant (3.5)
- ChemistryO*NET: ChemistryImportant (3.4)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignImportant (3.4)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Occupational Health and Safety Technicians
- Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Environmental Compliance Inspectors
- Environmental Scientists and Specialists, Including Health
- Environmental Engineers
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Fire-Prevention and Protection Engineers
- Industrial Engineers
- Environmental Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Security Management Specialists
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.