Optical Design Engineer

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. The Company’s three core products are Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world; Lens Studio, an augmented reality platform that powers AR across Snapchat and other services; and its AR glasses, Spectacles.

Snap Inc is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. Snap contributes to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. The Company’s three core products are Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world; Lens Studio, an augmented reality platform that powers AR across Snapchat and other services; and its AR glasses, Spectacles.

Snap Lab is home to our hardware products with a world-class research & development team. We are focused on pushing the boundaries of what a camera can be, specifically overlaying computing on the real world. Next Generation Spectacles are our first pair of glasses that bring augmented reality to life. 

We're looking for an Optical Engineer to join the Snap Lab team!

What you will do:

• Design, prototype and integrate custom ophthalmic components from concept to late-prototype stages, with an emphasis on enabling new technology introduction into next generation products

• Apply your knowledge of lens design, ophthalmics, optical molding, optical tolerancing, and optomechanics to address vergence-accommodation mismatch and refractive error correction in augmented reality eyewear

• Work hand-in-hand with the optical team to conceive and prove-out new technologies for AR eyewear

• Design and effectively utilize custom/OTS metrology to assess performance of custom optical components.  Work with internal quality teams and vendors to establish appropriate incoming/outgoing inspection procedures

• Effectively present to & collaborate with cross-functional teams at Snap (Optical, Mechanical, Product, Industrial Design, Vision Science, Global Supply Management, Quality, etc) to develop and integrate best-in-class Optical & AR Display Modules for future generations of Spectacles

• Collaborate with molders, sub-assembly manufacturers and Rx fulfillment centers to improve optical performance, inspection, yields, and failure analysis.

• Collaborate with the reliability team to stress-test new technologies and mitigate areas of risk

• Support root-cause-analysis of optical issues with current and next generation devices.

• Travel to and work with overseas suppliers to enable component manufacturing, assist with metrology and failure analysis, and drive on-time delivery of components

• Own the roadmap for ophthalmic components in AR eyewear

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Deep experience in optical design and design tools such as Zemax or Code V

• Deep experience with optics, optical modules and/or display systems, manufacturing and test processes

• Strong understanding of optical metrology and debug

• Hands on experience bringing up, solving problems through root cause analysis

• Experience working and collaborating closely with external partners and suppliers

• Ability to identify and mitigate risk during new development and manufacturing

• Ability to flex into program management with skills including excellent communication, coordination, and documentation

• Ability to thrive with rapidly changing or ambiguous requirements

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science or related field

• 6+ years of experience in design and development of optical products, consumer electronic displays and/or optical systems

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s or PhD degree in optics, physics, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, computer science or related field

• Experience with molded optics

• Experience with prescription optics, fulfillment centers, frame manufacturing, and glazing process

• Experience with optical sub-assemblies, including lamination and mechanical form, integrity, and reliability

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation, please don’t be shy and provide us some information.

"Default Together" Policy at Snap: At Snap Inc. we believe that being together in person helps us build our culture faster, reinforce our values, and serve our community, customers and partners better through dynamic collaboration. To reflect this, we practice a “default together” approach and expect our team members to work in an office 4+ days per week. 

At Snap, we believe that having a team of diverse backgrounds and voices working together will enable us to create innovative products that improve the way people live and communicate. Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and committed to providing employment opportunities regardless of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, marital status, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, age, sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other protected classification, in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. EOE, including disability/vets.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and will consider qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable law (by example, the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance and the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring, where applicable).

Our Benefits: Snap Inc. is its own community, so we’ve got your back! We do our best to make sure you and your loved ones have everything you need to be happy and healthy, on your own terms. Our benefits are built around your needs and include paid parental leave, comprehensive medical coverage, emotional and mental health support programs, and compensation packages that let you share in Snap’s long-term success!

Compensation

In the United States, work locations are assigned a pay zone which determines the salary range for the position. The successful candidate’s starting pay will be determined based on job-related skills, experience, qualifications, work location, and market conditions. The starting pay may be negotiable within the salary range for the position. These pay zones may be modified in the future.

Zone A (CA, WA, NYC):

Zone B:

Zone C:

This position is eligible for equity in the form of RSUs.