Research Engineer​/Scientist; 3D Tech Lead San Francisco

Research Engineer / Scientist (3D Tech Lead)

We build foundational world models that can perceive, generate, reason, and interact with the 3D world — unlocking AI's full potential through spatial intelligence.

We’re looking for a Tech Lead for 3D Modeling & Reconstruction to set technical direction and drive execution for our core 3D modeling efforts. This hands‑on leadership role combines deep technical expertise with the ability to guide a high‑impact team and shape both the research roadmap and production systems.

• Set the technical vision and roadmap for 3D modeling and reconstruction, balancing research exploration with product‑driven milestones.
• Lead the design and implementation of state‑of‑the‑art 3D modeling systems, spanning geometry, appearance, and scene‑level representations.
• Drive innovation in modern 3D modeling approaches, including learning‑based and optimization‑based methods, with an eye toward robustness, scalability, and real‑world data.
• Guide architectural decisions around 3D representations, training pipelines, and inference systems, ensuring they integrate cleanly with broader 3D data and rendering platforms.
• Lead and mentor a small team of research scientists and/or research engineers, fostering a culture of rigor and ownership.
• Own end‑to‑end execution of key initiatives, from early research prototypes through production deployment and iteration.
• Collaborate closely with cross‑functional partners to align 3D modeling capabilities with product needs, timelines, and quality bars.
• Represent the team and its work internally and externally, contributing to publications, technical talks, or open‑source efforts where appropriate.
• Continuously evaluate emerging research and industry trends in 3D modeling and reconstruction, translating the most promising ideas into actionable plans.

• 8+ years of experience in 3D reconstruction, modeling, computer vision, graphics, or closely related fields.
• A strong track record of impactful contributions to the field, demonstrated through academic publications, influential open‑source work, or widely deployed industry products.
• Deep expertise in modern 3D modeling and reconstruction methods, including representation design, optimization strategies, and learning‑based approaches.
• Proven experience leading or mentoring a small team, with responsibility for technical direction and delivery.
• Strong programming skills in Python and/or C++, with experience building both research prototypes and production‑quality systems.
• Hands‑on experience with machine learning frameworks and large‑scale experimentation or training pipelines.
• Solid understanding of how 3D modeling systems interface with data pipelines, rendering, and downstream applications.
• Comfort operating in fast‑moving, ambiguous environments, making high‑leverage technical decisions with incomplete information.
• High ownership mindset and product‑aware perspective: you care not just about novelty, but about reliability, performance, and impact.
• Enjoy collaborating with senior peers across research and engineering, raising the technical bar through example, mentorship, and clear communication.

World Labs is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Pay Range

$250,000 - $350,000 base salary (good‑faith estimate for San Francisco Bay Area upon hire; actual offer based on experience, skills, and qualifications)

Total Compensation

Base salary plus equity awards

Salary History

We do not request or consider prior compensation in making offers.