Optical Scientist, AR Display Systems at Meta in Redmond, Washington

Job Description:

At Meta's Reality Labs Research, our goal is to make world-class consumer virtual, augmented, and mixed reality experiences. Come work alongside industry-leading scientists and engineers to create the technology that makes MR, VR, and AR pervasive and universal. Join the adventure of a lifetime as we make science fiction real and change the world. The Display Systems Research (DSR) team is focused on passing the visual Turing test in AR/MR: making head-mounted displays (HMDs) indistinguishable from reality. While we ultimately aim to advance visual experiences, we remain grounded in practical system architectures. Our core research involves the identification and construction of new eyeglasses-form-factor devices - informed by human vision science - that cohesively integrate novel display and sensing technologies. Recent publications and demos include varifocal displays, near-eye holographic displays, understanding geometric distortions in HMDs, reprojection-free light field passthrough, reverse passthrough, and more.We are seeking Research Scientists to help develop augmented reality (AR) glasses. This role will use skills in optical system design and modeling, knowledge of a wide variety of optical components and technologies, research and problem-solving skills, and fabrication and prototyping experience to design, develop, and construct initial AR display prototypes around novel optical architectures. And will work in a small AR display incubation team and collaborate with a large and diverse set of scientists and engineers in the greater Reality Labs organization. An ideal candidate learns new areas of optics quickly, is comfortable pivoting and adapting to the various needs of projects, enjoys iterating quickly, should be comfortable working on and solving challenging problems with minimal guidance, including those in which there is no clear initial path, while seeking help independently among internal and external resources. And is detail-oriented and data-driven, with a track record of high quality results when tackling challenging optics problems.

Optical Scientist, AR Display Systems Responsibilities:

• Providing initial assessments of candidate optical architectures for AR glasses.


• Development of promising optical architectures through research, detailed design and modeling, solving of open problems, and exploration of alternative paths.


• Prototyping of components, sub-assemblies, and optical systems for AR display, including sourcing or fabrication of components through existing or new team capabilities, collaboration with partner teams, or external vendors.


• Seeking out and collaborating with scientists and engineers from a variety of technical backgrounds as needed to meet project objectives.


• Communicating results within the team and to the larger Reality Labs organization.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience.


• PhD degree or equivalent experience in Optical Science, Computer Science, Physics, Electronic Engineering, Physics, or a related field.


• 3+ years of experience in design, modeling, and simulation of complex optical systems.


• 3+ years of experience in system-level optical prototyping, including individual work in component fabrication, system assembly, alignment/calibration, and characterization of complex optical systems.


• 3+ years of experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., Python or Matlab).


• 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 (e.g., OSA, SIGGRAPH, and SPIE), presentations, journal articles, patents, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in fabrication of novel optics and display components, either through direct fabrication experience or leading internal or external fabrication efforts in areas such as holography, lithography, exposure systems, liquid crystal optics, light modulators, MEMS devices, and 3D printed optics, etc. and cleanroom experience is a plus.


• Experience with diffractive, holographic, and liquid crystal optics, such as diffraction gratings, volume holograms, phase modulators, digital holographic systems, and Pancharatnam-Berry LC optics.


• Experience in geometric optics, including component design, modeling, simulation, tolerancing, and evaluation metrics.


• Knowledge of display panel and spatial light modulator technologies, and experience with integration into optical prototypes, e.g., LCoS, MEMS, LCD, OLED, and phase modulators.


• Knowledge of various light sources, illumination systems and experience with integration into optical prototypes, e.g., lasers, LEDs, SLEDs, light shaping and steering devices.


• Experience in display systems, especially AR/VR/MR displays and compact and high efficiency display systems.


• Knowledge of Vision Science and human visual perception as it relates to display systems.


• Experience with rigorous optical modeling techniques, e.g., RCWA and FDTD.


• Experience with writing custom simulation software to model novel optical systems, and system optimization using numerical and/or machine learning techniques.


• Experience with commercial optical design software, such as Zemax.


• Experience in mechanical design and rapid prototyping.


• Experience with intra-team, cross-team, and cross-functional collaboration.

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.


$147,000/year to $208,000/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. Apply Now