Research Scientist, Optical Design (PhD)

At Reality Labs, our goal is to make world-class consumer virtual, augmented, and mixed reality experiences. Come work alongside world leading scientists and engineers to create the technology that makes VR and AR pervasive and universal. Join the adventure of a lifetime as we make science fiction real and change the world.Our Optics, Photonics, and Light Systems (OPALS) Research group is looking for an Optical Scientist with passion for innovation in novel near-eye display technology to join our team. We are seeking a scientist to conceptualize, design and model advanced optical components relevant to future Augmented Reality display architectures. Successful candidates must work in a dynamic, cross-functional team and exhibit first-principles understanding of diffractive, and holographic optical technologies.You will join a highly cross-functional team tasked with concept innovation, design, development, and prototyping of optical components to support future AR optics productization. This role requires close collaboration with internal cross functional partners and external vendors to define and deliver complex solutions to support process development, quality control and performance optimization. You will receive full support from the management and leadership team to grow your technical skills.

• Optical design and modeling of critical component technologies for near-eye displays.
• Innovate design concepts to overcome limitations of existing technologies and achieve step-function improvement over conventional approaches.
• Collaborate with system architecture teams to develop component and subsystem requirements for a future generation of near-eye displays.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners to prototype and validate the designs towards size, weight, cost, and performance targets.
• Engage and collaborate cross-functionally with metrology, materials, and process team members to co-optimize device and process, establish a fundamental understanding of as-built physical optics, and to identify, validate, and address sources of gaps in desired display performance.
• Identify gaps in and contribute to improvement of design methodologies and workflows.
• Partner with cross functional teams, technical program managers and leadership to devise and execute on the program priorities.

• Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining, a PhD degree in the field of optical sciences, physics, electrical engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience. Degree must be completed prior to joining Meta
• Experience with optical design using standard design software such as FRED, Zemax, Code V, COMSOL, Lumerical
• Experience in scientific programming and data analysis tools (e.g. MATLAB, Python, mathematica, or similar)
• Proven understanding of fundamental optics concepts such as wave optics, geometric optics, diffraction, polarization, coherence, etc
• Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience. Degree must be completed prior to joining Meta
• Experience with multiple optical technologies in areas such as imaging or illumination systems, light sources, thin films, polarization optics, adaptive optics, or color science
• Experience with electromagnetic modeling and analysis of nanoscale structures, anisotropic materials, films, or holographic elements
• Track record of innovative research in the field of optics
• Must obtain work authorization in country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment

• Experience in working with electromagnetic theory, modeling optical structures and building software tools for simulation work using RCWA, FDTD, or related methods
• Experience in using machine learning or deep neural networks for novel nano-optics design
• Experience in design fabrication and functional testing of novel photonic devices such as metastructures, photonic integrated circuits, holographic elements, diffractive, refractive structures, etc
• Experience with hands-on laboratory work with optics metrology tools such as interferometers, image quality testers, and polarimeters
• Experience working and communicating cross-functionally in a team environment
• Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences