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Research Scientist - Optical Design (PhD Grad)

Meta
Sunnyvale, CA Full Time
POSTED ON 12/11/2025 CLOSED ON 12/23/2025

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Scientist - Optical Design (PhD Grad) position at Meta?

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 a proven commitment to innovation in novel near-eye display technology to join our team. We are seeking a scientist to conceptualize, design and model advanced combiners components & systems relevant to future Augmented Reality display architectures.

Research Scientist - Optical Design (PhD Grad) Responsibilities:

  • Optical design and modeling of critical component technology landscape for near-eye display combiners
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams and scientists with specialties in Computation, Optics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Process Development, and Integration to identify innovative combiner designs


Minimum Qualifications:

  • 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
  • Currently has, or is in the process of obtaining, a PhD in the field of optical sciences, physics, electrical engineering or related field. Degree must be completed prior to joining Meta
  • 1 year of experience in optical design using standard design software such as Lumerical, Virtual Lab, FRED, LightTools, Zemax, or CODE V
  • 1 year of experience in scientific programming and data analysis tools (e.g. MATLAB, Python, Pytorch, C , etc.)
  • 1 year of experience with methods of light propagation both in wave and ray domains as well as mixed models
  • 1 year of experience with electromagnetic modeling and analysis of nanoscale structures, metagratings, anisotropic materials, films, or holographic elements


Preferred Qualifications:

  • 2 years of experience in design and modeling for applied research and/or product development of diffractive/holographic waveguide-based near-to-eye display systems w/ coherent and incoherent light sources
  • 2 years of experience in working with electromagnetic theory, modeling optical structures and building software tools for simulation work on distributed systems and parallel computing infrastructure
  • 2 years of experience in using machine learning or deep neural networks for novel nano-optics inverse design
  • 2 years of experience in design, fabrication and testing of novel optical structures such as metastructures, holographic elements, sub-wavelength diffractive structures, beam steering elements, etc
  • 2 years of experience in optical metrology tools such as interferometry, image quality testing, and polarization test


About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today-beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@fb.com.

$117,000/year to $173,000/year bonus equity benefits

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.

Salary : $117,000 - $173,000

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