What Is Optical Engineering (+ How to Become an Optical Engineer)

Optical engineering uses light to solve problems and create useful devices. Optical engineers must be technically proficient and thoroughly understand optics to accomplish this. Optics is a branch of physics that deals with the science of light. If you're interested in optics and enjoy working with technology, a career in optical engineering could be an excellent fit. 

What is optical engineering?

Optical engineering is a specialised branch of physics and engineering. It is the practice of using optics and engineering concepts to determine ways to use light to build devices. There are two primary branches of optics:

Geometrical. Geometrical optics, or ray optics, focuses on the particle nature of light or rays. This branch gained its name because light rays are conceived as geometrical lines that extend from their source. Rays help us understand the paths along which light propagates (or spreads) under certain conditions. 

Did you know? The beam produced from a flashlight is a good example of light’s particle nature and optical engineering. Tiny lenses underneath the light bulb redirect the paths along which light spreads. This manipulation of light rays creates the controlled beam that flashlights emit.

Physical. Physical optics, or wave optics, is the study of light's wave properties. Instead of considering light's particle nature, wave optics think of light as an electromagnetic wave. Examples of light's wave properties include dispersion and polarisation.  

Did you know? If you have ever seen a rainbow, you have seen light's wave properties. When light enters a water droplet, each wavelength is reflected at a different angle—dispersing and reflecting white light into visible colours.

Common examples of optical engineering

You likely encounter examples of optical engineering every day. The chart below outlines a few examples of imaging optics and non-imaging optics that exist due to optical engineering.

Optical engineers design and build optical systems and devices. They frequently work with computers, using specialised software to simulate scenarios and designs. The primary goal of optical engineering is to solve problems through the use of light and optical technology. Optical engineers spend most of their time researching, developing, and testing new devices and enhancing existing designs.

Optical engineering jobs

Optical engineers work in a variety of industries. The following chart outlines several of these industries and five of the top employers for optical engineering roles. To determine the top employers, we looked at Glassdoor UK's list of the leading companies hiring optical engineers as of October 2024. 

We further curated this list to eliminate companies with low employee ratings. Employees rated companies using a scale of one to five stars. Additionally, they used six categories to calculate their ratings: culture and values, diversity and inclusion, work/life balance, senior management, compensation and benefits, and career opportunities.

Average optical engineer salary

The average salary for optical engineers in the UK is £40,000 annually. Glassdoor reports the median additional pay per year to be £2,000. Additional wages may represent profit-sharing, commissions, or bonuses [6].

Optical engineering job outlook

Physics-based positions remain in demand throughout the UK’s labour market. These types of positions account for 1.85 million jobs, or approximately one in 20 across the UK and Ireland, according to a report from the Institute of Physics [7]. Although this doesn’t speak solely to optical engineering, it bodes well for all professions in the general category. 

Optical engineer job description

Specific job responsibilities may vary depending on a company’s industry. The list below outlines some common duties for optical engineers in any industry. 

• Researching the science behind products

• Investigating ways to improve existing optical systems

• Designing and testing optical devices

• Maintaining instruments and materials 

Essential skills checklist for optical engineers

• Strong understanding of physics

• Proficient in mathematics

• Problem-solving skills

• Manual dexterity

• Ability to use scientific equipment, such as spectrometers and wattmeters

• Collaboration and communication skills

• Familiarity with optical tools such as and

• Detail oriented

How to start a career in optical engineering

The qualifications required to start a career in optical engineering vary. Some employers may accept entry-level optical engineers with a Bachelor's Degree, while others may look for candidates with a Master's Degree. Relevant areas of study include physics, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. One example of a degree aspiring optical engineers can pursue is a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering.

You can explore additional ways to prepare for a career in optical engineering below.

Build your skill set. 

Consider using the essential skills checklist above to guide your efforts. For example, if you have an extensive background in engineering, you may focus on building your physics expertise. Someone who wants to elevate their understanding of modern quantum optics may consider earning an online Certificate in Quantum Optics I: Single Photons.

In contrast, someone with a degree in physics who lacks engineering experience might take an online engineering course to fill the gaps in their knowledge. Georgia Tech’s Introduction to Engineering Mechanics is a beginner-friendly Course that takes just 15 hours to complete.

Enhance your CV. 

Enhancing your CV is a crucial step for job seekers. To ensure recruiters notice your CV, try matching the language you use to describe your skills to those used in job listings. Often, employers use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to process potential candidates. These systems use keywords to filter CVs and applications. In other words, you have a better chance of being selected if your words match the words they’ve input in the ATS. 

Stay current.

Another great way to demonstrate your expertise to employers is to stay current with industry trends and technologies in the optical engineering field. You might consider following industry leaders on social media, reading relevant blogs, and watching YouTube videos. For instance, you can stay up-to-date on advancements in the field of optics by subscribing to the . You can also browse with the website. SPIE is an international non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing scientific optics research and engineering applications.

Start today with Coursera

Take the next step towards your career in optical engineering with the Optical Engineering Specialisation from the University of Colorado Boulder.