A Job Opportunity for Optical Engineer in Redmond, WA

Job Title: Optical Engineer II
Location: Onsite – Redmond, WA
Duration: Until 12/31/2025 (possible extension once budgets are confirmed)
Summary

• Our goal is to make world-class consumer virtual, augmented, and mixed reality (MR/AR) experiences. The Display Systems Research (DSR) team focuses on creating head-mounted displays (HMDs) that are indistinguishable from reality, integrating novel display and sensing technologies with human vision science.
• We are seeking a professional to contribute to developing MR/AR display systems. The role requires expertise in optical system design, lab-based experimentation, simulation, and data analysis.
• The ideal candidate enjoys solving complex optics challenges, refining optical system performance, and iterating with data-driven processes.

 
Job Responsibilities

• Develop optical components, sub-assemblies, and systems for novel AR/MR displays.
• Build and operate automated optical fabrication and metrology systems in the lab.
• Conduct optics simulations using commercial software or scientific programming languages.
• Handle, catalog, and maintain optical components and lab equipment.
• Document findings and communicate results to team members and the broader Reality Labs organization.

 
Must Have Skills

• Lab skills in optical experiments, lasers, and metrology.
• Proficiency in MATLAB or Python (3+ years).
• Understanding of diffractive optics, ray optics, optical metrology, and characterization.
• Hands-on experience in implementing complex optical experiment systems from concept to benchtop validation.
• Hands-on experience in implementing complex optical experiment systems from concept to benchtop system validation.
• Familiarity with diffractive optics, ray optics, optical metrology and characterization. Previous training of optical laboratory, including laser safety, handling/cleaning optics, etc.
• 3+ years of experiences with scientific programming language (MATLAB or Python)

 
Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with holographic optical element fabrication or laser interferometer systems.
• Experience with optomechanical instruments (e.g. mechanical stages, motion controllers) and metrology instruments (e.g. spectrometer, polarimeter, CCD/CMOS sensors, spatial light modulators, etc.).
• Experience with automation programming in a laboratory setting (instrument interface, motion control, image acquisition, data collection and analysis) using MATLAB or Python.
• Experience with writing custom optic simulation software or simulations with commercial software (Zemax, CodeV, Lightools, etc.) to model novel optical systems, and optimize systems using numerical techniques.
• Experience with clean room experiments or optical coating/lamination.
• Experience with specialty optics, e.g. Bragg volume gratings, diffractive optics, polarization optics, etc.
• Experience with handling and processing of photopolymers.
• Proven track record of solving difficult problems and achieving high quality and significant results in optical systems, as demonstrated first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences, presentations, journal articles, patents, etc.

 
Education/Experience

• BS degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or related discipline with 3+ years of experience;
• OR
• Master’s degree in related discipline with 2+ years of experience;
• OR equivalent hands-on industry experience.

 
Interview Process
Rounds: 2–3 (Technical + Behavioral)
Duration: 30 min – 1 hr each


Pursuant to the California Fair Chance Act, Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, and San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, qualified applicants will be considered for assignment with arrest and conviction records. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness, meet client expectations, standards, and accompanying requirements, and safeguard business operations and company reputation.
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