Find Jobs
Find Jobs Near You – Available Work in Your Location
Skip to job details
C
CACI
Optical Test Engineer
Career Insights for Optical / Laser Engineer
See where this job fits in the broader career landscape. Knowing your career path helps you see what's possible from here.
Scorecard
Based on California data
Review key factors to help you decide if this role fits your goals. How is this calculated?
What they do
An Optical or Laser Engineer researches and develops technology that uses the science of light (optics). Optical technology includes fiber optic cables, which enable high-speed internet connections across long distances, and lasers, which can be used to make very small incisions and measurements. Works closely with scientists and engineers from other fields on advances in technology.
$143,629 / year median in California
-3% projected decline
Job Description
Job Title:
Optical Test Engineer Job Category:
Engineering Time Type:
Full time Minimum Clearance Required toStart:
None Employee Type:
Regular Percentage of Travel Required:
Up to 25%Type of Travel:
Continental USThe Opportunity:
- Work for CACI, rated Fortune World's Most Admired Company -- recognized for the ninth consecutive year in 2026.
- Work with other highly skilled engineers testing, troubleshooting, and recommending design improvements for Optical Communication Terminals (OCTs). These OCTs are primarily for inter-satellite communication.
- Your work would be key to the advancement of space-based communication.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for designing, modeling, analyzing and testing optical, electro-optical, and opto-mechanical systems and components.
- Develop component specifications, tolerances, simulations and test procedures for electro-optical systems and components.
- Draft and follow assembly and test work instructions.
- Use methods to assure and verify optical design requirements are met.
- Must bring to bear optical knowledge to troubleshoot optical problems discovered during system testing.
- Communicate cross-functionally to develop and design project plans.
Qualifications:
Required:
- Must have a minimum bachelor's degree in physics or engineering (optical, electrical, mechanical) and 5 years of related experience.
- Must have a firm understanding of both free-space and guided-wave (fiber) optics.
- Must be able to design, build, and align optical test configurations.
- Must have a background in methods for stray light suppression.
- Must be an effective communicator (both written and verbal).
- Must be willing and able to travel to other CACI test sites within the US.
Desired:
- Master's degree in physics or optical engineering.
- Understanding of Erbium-Doped Fiber Amplifiers (EDFAs).
- Skilled in fiber optic splicing.
- Proven skills in mathematical modeling for troubleshooting purposes.