Research Scientist, Optical Systems

Job Title

Research Scientist, Optical Systems

Role Summary

Meta Reality Labs seeks a research scientist to advance fabrication and process development for optical waveguides, diffraction gratings, and related photonic structures for next-generation AR devices and advanced optical computing. The role bridges nanofabrication, materials science, and optical engineering and supports technology transfer toward pilot and production.

Experience Level

Mid-career research scientist. Candidates should have several years of hands-on nanofabrication or industry experience in process development; industry experience is preferred but not mandatory when research background is strong.

Responsibilities

Key responsibilities include developing fabrication processes, characterizing structures, and enabling transfer to production.

• Develop and optimize fabrication techniques for diffraction gratings and light guides on organic substrates.
• Perform nanostructure patterning with e-beam lithography, optical steppers, and nanoimprint lithography.
• Develop and characterize dry and wet etch processes for precision waveguide fabrication.
• Deposit and optimize dielectric thin films using sputtering, ALD, and e-beam evaporation.
• Perform metrology and characterization using AFM, SEM, optical profilometry, and spectroscopic methods.
• Collaborate with optical designers, materials scientists, and integration teams to translate design into manufacturable processes.
• Document procedures, contribute to IP, and identify and troubleshoot yield-limiting defects.
• Support technology transfer from R&D to pilot-scale and high-volume manufacturing.

Requirements

Must-have technical skills and hands-on experience for this role.

Must-have:

• Hands-on experience with nanofabrication techniques such as e-beam lithography, optical steppers, and dry/plasma etching.
• Experience with thin-film deposition methods (sputtering, ALD, or e-beam evaporation).
• Proficiency with metrology tools: AFM, SEM, and optical characterization systems.
• Demonstrated experience developing and optimizing fabrication processes through qualification.

Nice-to-have:

• Understanding of light-matter interaction, photonic nanostructures, and device physics.
• Knowledge of optical thin-film design and coating characterization.
• Experience scaling processes from R&D to pilot production and roll-to-roll patterning or NIL.
• Background in AR/VR optics, holographic optical elements, surface-relief gratings, or photonic devices.
• Familiarity with organic/polymer substrates and their processing constraints.
• Experience fabricating diffractive optical elements, waveguides, or photonic structures.

Education Requirements

Minimum: PhD in Chemistry, Polymer Science, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, or a related field (explicitly required by the posting). Preferred alternative: a Master’s degree with significant industry experience (posting notes Master’s + ~5+ years as a preferred pathway). Fields mentioned include chemistry, polymer science, chemical engineering, materials science, and physics.

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.