Staff Optical Engineer, Waveguide Design

A new paradigm of computing

Magic Leap is a pioneer in Augmented Reality (AR) optics, display systems, platforms, devices services, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities. We are known for our unmatched optics stack and have developed ultra-lightweight waveguides and display systems that advance what is possible in AR. With more than a decade of experience in AR innovation, we have made groundbreaking advancements in text legibility, color fidelity and rich digital content visuals while continually expanding the field of view to create engaging, immersive AR experiences.

Magic Leap could be your place if you want to be part of a united team where everyone is empowered and trusted to make an impact. At Magic Leap, you can explore innovative solutions and use your talents to solve real-world problems. Working alongside industry experts, you can grow your skills while helping make our technology available to millions of people as a partner in the mixed reality (XR) ecosystem. We know that successful change and progress accelerates diverse perspectives. As we shape our future, everyone's voice matters. Together, we can reimagine the world of work and, with our bold partners, make the impossible possible.

The Opportunity

The Staff Optical Designer is responsible for leading the innovation and advancement of our mixed reality displays. This role is central to our display development, leveraging computational modeling at the component and system levels. A key responsibility is to guide the team's decision-making process by providing detailed data visualizations that clearly illustrate the trade-offs of different design choices, leading to the selection of optimal solutions. The ideal candidate will combine a robust background in computational photonics and data analysis with a curious mindset and meticulous attention to detail. This role requires strong collaboration across various partner teams to develop a comprehensive understanding of the complex design trade-offs inherent in mixed reality displays, offering a chance to contribute at the forefront of this technology.

This role can be fulfilled remotely or on-site in Austin, TX.

What You'll Do

• Drive the design, optimization, and documentation of waveguide designs for augmented reality (AR) displays as a core member of the Waveguide Design Team.
• Work in a fast-paced, collaborative environment, partnering with mechanical engineers, metrology teams, fabrication specialists, materials researchers, and program management.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of the intricate trade-offs involved in AR display design through cross-functional collaboration.
• Utilize in-house and commercial optical simulation tools to model complex physical phenomena, advancing the design and understanding of waveguides.
• Effectively present technical discoveries, propose innovative approaches, and actively participate in the ongoing refinement of our foundational eyepiece technology.
• Support the enhancement of our proprietary software solutions for the analysis of large datasets derived from simulations, fabrication measurements, and optical characterization and metrology.

The Experience You Bring

• 8+ years of experience in computational photonics, with a strong focus on scientific computing, numerical methods, and data analysis.
• Master's degree in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or related technical field with focus on optics/photonics, or equivalent professional experience in optical simulation software development.
• Extensive experience designing sophisticated optical technologies via computational modeling.
• Experience owning multiple aspects or the entirety of simulation or design workflows.
• High comfort level with scientific programming and working with large datasets.
• Experience integrating commercial optical design and simulation software (such as RCWA, FDTD, BPM, Lumerical, Zemax, COMSOL, etc.) into custom workflows.
• Effective communication and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, coupled with strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

It's Exciting If You Also Have

• Ph.D. in optics, photonics, physics, or electrical engineering
• Experience developing software tools (with or without AI copilot) for optical, physics-based, or complex hardware engineering applications.
• Experience with parallel computing, GPU acceleration, or cloud computing.
• Background in nanoimprint lithography or semiconductor process and manufacturing technologies.
• Experience with optical characterization techniques, including but not limited to ellipsometry, scatterometry, interferometer measurements, AFM, and SEM.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to Equal Employment Opportunities guidelines.

Please note that we do not accept any application documents via (e-)mail. Furthermore, we do not accept applications from recruitment agencies for this role.

All legitimate Magic Leap email communications will end with "@magicleap.com". Please carefully review all emails you receive, to ensure you only engage with legitimate representatives of Magic Leap. For the protection of your Personal Information, do not click any links, open any attachments, or further engage with any suspicious communications. In the event you receive an unexpected or suspicious communication claiming to come from Magic Leap, please reach out directly to TalentAcquisition@magicleap.com for assistance.

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation during the application, interviewing, or hiring process, you may request an accommodation by emailing ApplicantAccommodation@magicleap.com. Magic Leap will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

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