Optical Research Engineer Jobs

Optical Research Engineer Responsibilities:

• Lead research and development in polarization holograms recording, fabrication, and metrology on flat and curved surfaces to enable next generation near-to-eye augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) display designs.
• Collaborate with the larger research and product development team to explore concepts, and evaluate and drive new devices development to create compelling experiences at system level.
• Initiate new partnerships based on business needs and support on-going team external engagements.
• Collaborate with the internal Optics and Display Research team, Opto-ME teams, and external tools vendors to develop customized hologram recording systems to enable 2D/3D anisotropy structures on flat and curved surfaces meeting dynamic project needs.
• Set project roadmaps, timelines, and deliverables, proactively communicating the project status with stakeholders, and mitigating project risks to ensure success.
• Collaborate closely with team members to establish the simulation, fabrication, and metrology close loop for advanced devices with anisotropy and their performance in AR/VR displays.
• Develop viable, scalable, and profitable patterning capabilities, including both methods and tools for recording materials with anisotropy on flat and curved surfaces through optical designs and experimental validations.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 5+ years of laboratory experience designing optical experiments and optical metrology.
• Masters degree or equivalent experience in Physics, Optical Science, Electric Engineering, Materials Science, or similar.
• 7+ years of direct working experience in one or more roles in interference lithography tools development, such as an Optical Engineer role, or Opto-Mechanical Engineer role, or Physical Optics Research Scientist, or Optical System Architect role.
• Understanding of how polarization optics and holographic optical elements work and are made.
• 3+ years of experience leading projects through full cycle from early-stage concept to mass-producible or commercialized product for consumer electronics industry.
• 5+ years of working experience in one or more optical modeling tools, such as polarization optics and physical optics modeling tools, such as MATLAB, Python, COMSOL, and methods (such as Jones Matrix, FDTD, or RCWA), or optical system design and polarization ray tracing tools of FRED, CODE V or ZEMAX etc.
• Understanding of liquid crystal films, liquid crystal modeling, and AR/VR lens optics & display optics.
• Experience in project management and collaboration with cross-functional teams solving complex technical problems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in tolerance analysis of optical systems, and/or aberration correction.
• Working experience with cross-functional teams including Optical Engineering, Opto-Mechanical Engineering, Hardware Engineering, Business development, Partnerships, Technical Programs Management and Legal.
• Interpersonal skills for strong cross-group and cross-culture collaboration.
• Strong peer-reviewed publication record.
• Ph.D. degree or equivalent experience in Physics, Optical Science, Electric Engineering, Materials Science, or similar
• Experience in free-form optics design.
• Experience in coaching and/or mentoring others in the team.
• Experience in communicating to champion initiatives internally and externally, including compilation of clear and concise briefing materials for effective communication with executive management and external partners.
• 5+ years of research experience with holographic optical elements in design, fabrication, and metrology.
• 7+ years of research experience in applying existing and emerging optical technologies and incubating an idea from concept validation to system improvement of NEDs.
• A growth mindset with experience in managing ambiguity and conflict of interest at work.
• Leadership in conferences, grants, fellowships, patents, or other professional societies.