Optical Scientist, Display Systems
Meta
Redmond, WA, USA
USD 147k-208k / year + Equity
Posted on Aug 15, 2025
Optical Scientist, Display Systems
Redmond, WA • Full Time
Meta Quest
Research
Research
At Meta 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. The Optics, Photonics, and Light Systems (OPALS) Research group is looking for an Optical Scientist with 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. This scientist will exhibit first-principles understanding of diffractive, and holographic optical combiner technologies, and will develop novel high performance simulation and optimization algorithms for advanced optical and photonic device modeling and simulations in a highly cross-functional environment.
Optical Scientist, Display Systems Responsibilities
- Optical design and modeling of critical component technology landscape for near-eye display combiners and systems
- Contribute to improvement of design methodologies and workflow including playing an integral role in the strategic planning of new algorithms and advancing simulation and optimization capabilities for prospective products and technologies
- Collaborate with cross-functional teams and scientists with specialties in Computation, Optics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Process Development, and Integration to identify both gaps and opportunities for novel design, modeling and optimization methodologies or tools to overcome existing limitations
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
- PhD degree or equivalent experience in the field of Optical Sciences, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or a related field
- 3+ years of experience in optical design using standard design software such as Lumerical, Virtual Lab, FRED, LightTools, Zemax, or CODE V
- 3+ years experience in scientific programming and data analysis tools (e.g. MATLAB, Python, C++, etc.)
- 3+ years experience with methods of light propagation both in wave and ray domains as well as mixed models and familiarity with local and global optimization algorithm development
- Experience with and understanding of wave optics, geometric optics, polarization, coherence, etc
- 3+ years experience with electromagnetic modeling and analysis of nanoscale structures, anisotropic materials, films, or holographic elements
- 1+ years of experience in fabrication and functional testing of novel photonic devices such as metastructures, photonic integrated circuits, holographic elements, diffractive, refractive structures, etc
Preferred Qualifications
- 3+ experience in optical metrology tools such as interferometry, image quality testing, and polarization test
- Experience with display systems consisting of coherent and in-coherent sources including image quality artifacts
- 3+ 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
- 3+ years experience in using machine learning or deep neural networks for novel nano-optics design
- 3+ years experience in working with electromagnetic theory, modeling optical structures and building software tools for simulation work on distributed systems and parallel computing infrastructure
- 3+ years experience in modelling and validation of display image quality artifacts with coherent and incoherent light sources
- 3+ years of experience in design and modeling for applied research and/or product development of diffractive waveguide-based near-to-eye display systems w/ coherent and incoherent light sources
For those who live in or expect to work from California if hired for this position, please click here for additional information.
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.
$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.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may view our Equal Employment Opportunity notice here.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, fill out the Accommodations request form.
APPLY NOW
Find your role
Explore jobs that match your skills and experience. Search by technology, team or location to find an opening that’s right for you.
View jobs