Research Scientist Intern,Optical System Design; PhD Job Redmond area,Washington USA,Engineering

Position: Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD)

Summary

Meta Reality Labs brings together a team of researchers, developers, and engineers to create the future of virtual and augmented reality, which together will become as universal and essential as smartphones and personal computers are today. And just as personal computers have done over the past 45 years, AR and VR will ultimately change everything about how we work, play, and connect.

We are developing all the technologies needed to enable breakthrough AR glasses and VR headsets, including optics and displays, computer vision, audio, graphics, brain‑computer interface, haptic interaction, eye/hand/face/body tracking, perception science, and true telepresence. Some of those will advance much faster than others, but they all need to happen to enable AR and VR that are so compelling that they become an integral part of our lives.

Our internships are twelve (12) to twenty‑four (24) weeks long and we have various start dates throughout the year.

Required Skills

Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) Responsibilities:

Collaborate with researchers and cross‑functional partners including communicating research plans, progress, and results

Publish research results and contribute to research that can be applied to Meta product development

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

Collaborate with larger Meta Reality Labs Research team to explore novel solution space for AR/VR devices

Explore the application of at least one of the following: geometrical optics, diffraction optics, polarization optics, illumination, optical system design

This position will have an emphasis of advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and the perceptual impact of those concepts

Minimum Qualifications

Currently has or is in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Optical Science, Optical Engineering, Opto‑Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computational Imaging or relevant technical field

Must obtain work authorization in country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during 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 Optic Studio, 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

Preferred Qualifications

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

Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies

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

Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)

Public Compensation

$7,313/month to $12,134/month + benefits

Industry

Internet

Equal Opportunity

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

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Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design; PhD