Principal Systems Engineer

Meta is seeking a Principal Systems Engineer to provide technical vision and leadership for R&D and systems strategy across next-generation VR and Wearables products, including Realistic Avatars, Input, and Health. In this highly influential role, you will set the direction for complex, cross-functional initiatives, shaping Meta's long-term roadmap and technology investments. You will architect and drive the convergence of advanced sub-systems, mentor technical leaders, foster innovation across multiple teams and organizations, and influence product plans and objectives. Your work will directly impact Meta's delivery of state-of-the-art consumer experiences at scale, from incubation through mass production.

Principal Systems Engineer Responsibilities:

• Set technical strategy for systems engineering across multiple product lines, influencing Meta's R&D and product roadmaps for VR, AR, and Wearables
• Lead cross-functional teams of research scientists, product managers, technical program managers(TPMs), and engineering leaders to define, architect, and deliver complex, multi-disciplinary systems
• Drive technical direction in specialized domains (e.g., CV, ML, Sensors, data infrastructure), identifying and incubating new technology areas with broad organizational impact
• Manage and approve system architecture decisions, ensuring alignment with long-term business and technology goals
• Mentor and develop engineers and technical leads
• Represent Meta externally with key partners, suppliers, and industry forums, shaping industry standards and building strategic alliances
• Lead analysis and trade-off studies at the system and organizational level, making high-impact decisions that balance technical, business, and operational considerations
• Establish and enforce best practices for requirements definition, system integration, and validation across multiple teams and product lines
• Drive resolution of critical technical issues, removing roadblocks and ensuring delivery of high-quality, scalable solutions
• Advise executive leadership on technology investments, risk management, and long-term system approaches necessary for AR, VR, and AI experiences

• BS or MS in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or a related technical field
• 10+ years of experience in systems engineering, technical leadership, or advanced product development
• Demonstrated experience leading R&D and productization of complex, multi-disciplinary systems at scale
• Expertise in computer vision, machine learning, and systems architecture for consumer electronics
• Proven track record of defining and delivering system architectures in areas such as electrical systems, ML, firmware, audio, sensors, wireless connectivity, and displays/optical systems
• Experience building and managing strategic partnerships with external partners, suppliers, and cross-functional teams
• Problem-solving skills, with a history of mapping trade spaces and driving concepts from ideation to mass production
• Recognized as a technical leader and mentor, with experience developing engineers and influencing organizational direction
• Experience making architectural trade-offs and decisions with broad business and technical impact

• Experience driving rapid prototyping and proof-of-concept development for new product categories
• Understanding of consumer electronics and wearable systems across the full technology stack
• Experience overseeing multiple subsystems from conception to mass production (hardware, compute, sensors, audio, wireless connectivity, I/O, and firmware)
• Active participation in industry standards bodies or technical forums