This study investigates higher-order localized waves for coupled variable-coefficient fourth-order nonlinear Schrödinger equations, which are used to describe the simultaneous propagation of optical pulses in an inhomogeneous optical fiber. Based on the seed solutions and Lax pair, the Nth-order localized wave solutions are constructed. The interactions of rogue waves with dark–bright solitons are graphically analyzed via numerical simulation. The results are helpful for studying localized wave phenomena in nonlinear optics.