Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (phd)

Meta Meta · Big Tech · Redmond, WA

Research Scientist Intern focused on optical system design for AR/VR displays, involving advanced simulations and prototyping. The role requires collaboration, publication of research, and exploration of various optical fields. While AI skills are mentioned as a development area and for workflow optimization, the core craft is optical engineering, not AI model development.

What you'd actually do

  1. Collaborate with researchers and cross-functional partners including communicating research plans, progress, and results
  2. Publish research results and contribute to research that can be applied to Meta product development
  3. Develop next generation AR/VR displays with an emphasis on advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and understand the perceptual impact of those concepts
  4. Collaborate with larger Meta Reality Labs Research team to explore novel solution space for AR/VR devices
  5. Explore the application of at least one of the following: geometrical optics, diffraction optics, polarization optics, illumination, optical system design

Skills

Required

  • Ph.D. degree in Optical Science, Optical Engineering, Opto-Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computational Imaging or relevant technical field
  • work authorization in country of employment
  • Experience in at least one of the following areas of optical research: geometry optics, aberration theory, optical system prototyping
  • Experience with lens design in optical design programs such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V or similar
  • Experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, and Mathematica)
  • Intent to return to degree program after the completion of the internship/co-op
  • Experience in freeform optics
  • Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as JOSA, SPIE, OSA, IEEE, CLEO, or similar
  • Experience in system-level prototyping work, including hands-on prototyping of bench-top optical components
  • Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
  • Experience working and communicating cross-functionally in a team environment

Nice to have

  • Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
  • Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)

What the JD emphasized

  • advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and understand the perceptual impact of those concepts
  • advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and the perceptual impact of those concepts