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.

Tasks

In such cases tasks would include -
(a) Applying knowledge of engineering to the design, development and evaluation of biological and health systems and products such as artificial organs, prostheses and instrumentation;
(b) Designing devices used in various medical procedures and imaging systems such as magnetic resonance imaging, and devices for automating insulin injections or controlling body functions;
(c) Designing components of optical instruments such as lenses, microscopes, telescopes, lasers, optical disc systems and other equipment that utilize the properties of light;
(d) Designing, testing, and coordinating the development of explosive ordnance material to meet military procurement specifications;
(e) Designing and overseeing construction and operation of nuclear reactors and power plants and nuclear fuels reprocessing and reclamation systems;
(f) Designing and developing nuclear equipment such as reactor cores, radiation shielding and associated instrumentation and control mechanisms;
(g) Assessing damage and providing calculations for marine salvage operations;
(h) Studying and advising on engineering aspects of particular manufacturing processes, such as those related to glass, ceramics, textiles, leather products, wood and printing;
(i) Identifying potential hazards and introducing safety procedures and devices.