Nanofabrication Research Engineer, Optical Systems
Meta PlatformsJob Title
Nanofabrication Research Engineer, Optical Systems
Role Summary
Reality Labs is seeking an engineer to design, fabricate, and characterize nanoscale optical structures (diffractive optical elements, waveguides, metasurfaces, MEMS, photonic integrated circuits, spatial light modulators) for AR/VR devices. The role translates research concepts into manufacturable optical solutions and works across photonics, materials science, and semiconductor fabrication.
Position is based in Redmond, WA and contributes to process integration, design verification, and development of process modules and process design kits (PDKs) for next-generation optical components.
Experience Level
Mid-level. The role expects professional experience in semiconductor or novel optical device fabrication; specific requirements vary by task (see Requirements and Preferred Qualifications for years-of-experience guidance).
Responsibilities
Primary responsibilities include process integration, design verification, and collaboration to develop manufacturable photonic devices.
- Design, execute, and validate novel process integration approaches for advanced photonic device fabrication.
- Perform design verification on fabricated photonic devices; identify and close design-to-ground-truth gaps.
- Improve process modules and deliver process design kits (PDKs) aligned with device design requirements.
- Collaborate with teams in computation, optics, chemistry, materials science, and process development to identify fabrication limitations and improvements.
Requirements
Must-have technical experience and skills.
- Process integration experience in leading-edge semiconductor fabrication or novel optical device fabrication (minimums vary by area; see Preferred Qualifications for stronger experience profiles).
- Experience in process module development (etch, deposition, lithography) for advanced device fabrication.
- Hands-on fabrication and functional testing of photonic devices such as metastructures, photonic integrated circuits, diffractive or refractive structures.
- Familiarity with translating device design needs into manufacturable process flows and contributing to PDK development.
- Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams (optics, materials, chemistry, computation, process development).
Nice-to-have:
- Substantial experience in process integration for optical waveguides, metalenses/metagratings, photonic integrated circuits, or MEMS fabrication.
- Experience in design validation/verification and testing of novel optical structures (metastructures, holographic elements, subwavelength diffractive structures, beam steering elements).
Education Requirements
PhD in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Material Sciences, or a relevant field; or equivalent practical experience.
About the Company
Company: Meta Platforms
Headquarters: Menlo Park, California, United States
American technology company that develops social networking products (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp) and invests in virtual/augmented reality hardware and software through Reality Labs, focusing on connectivity, advertising, and immersive computing experiences.
