Optical Process & Manufacturing Engineer - Lens Technical Lead
Redmond, WAJob$144–204K/yrSeen 1mo agoSeen in employer's feed 1w ago
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Job overview
The Optical Process & Manufacturing Engineer will own precision optical components, including ophthalmic-grade optics, from concept through validation and high-volume production. The role establishes process and tooling capabilities with supply-chain partners and releases manufacturing-ready product subsystems for next-generation AI and AR glasses. The engineer works across disciplines and applies a data-driven approach to taking products from concept to mass production.
Skills & qualifications
Skills
Qualifications
Full job description
Summary:
As an Optical & Manufacturing Engineer at Reality Labs, you will own the development and productization of precision optical components, including ophthalmic-grade optics, that are core to next-generation AI and AR glasses. You will serve as the single point of accountability for optical components, from concept through prototype and validation to high-volume production ramp, working alongside a team tackling radically new concepts driven by the constraints of advanced AI and AR glasses. You will establish new process and tooling capabilities with supply-chain partners and release product sub-systems that are fully hardened for high-volume manufacturing. We are looking for engineers who work well across disciplines, who move fluidly between big-picture ideas and the critical details that make a technology succeed, and who bring a data-driven track record of taking products from concept to mass production.
Required Skills:
Optical Process & Manufacturing Engineer - Lens Technical Lead Responsibilities:
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Own precision optical components from concept through prototype, validation, and high-volume production ramp, as the single point of accountability for the outcome
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Lead external vendor and supply-chain collaborations spanning material selection, tooling, process optimization, metrology, and quality control
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Develop and qualify ophthalmic manufacturing processes and the metrology used to verify optical components, including optical power, surface form, wavefront, and cosmetics
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Define and qualify manufacturing processes and tooling, including precision molds, fixtures, and optical surface generation, to establish new process capability with partners
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Drive mold design and mold flow analysis to optimize tool geometry, gating, and process windows for optical-grade parts
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Develop and qualify high-precision lens cutting processes, including CNC machining, edging, and laser systems at scale
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Troubleshoot optical and mechanical defects and run design of experiments (DOE) for root cause analysis and process improvement
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Develop and integrate novel materials and fabrication processes such as lamination, optical surface generation, coating, casting, and injection molding to enable next-generation optics and displays
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Partner with cross-functional teams to set program priorities and deliver product sub-systems hardened for high-volume manufacturing
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
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Bachelor’s degree in Materials Science, Polymer Science, Optical Engineering, a related technical field, or equivalent practical experience
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6+ years of experience in manufacturing and process development of precision optical components for ophthalmic or consumer electronics
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Experience with metrology of optical components, including optical power, surface form, wavefront, and cosmetic inspection, and with material and mechanical characterization
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Experience with mold design and mold flow analysis
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Experience with mold flow and fluid dynamics simulation software (e.g., Autodesk Moldflow, Moldex3D, or equivalent CFD tools)
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Experience with precision tooling and manufacturing methods such as optical-grade injection molding, casting in high-volume manufacturing
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
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Ph.D. In Materials Science, Polymer Science, Optical Engineering, or equivalent practical experience in the optical plastics lens industry
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8+ years of experience with optical materials and process engineering lens manufacturing
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Experience with sequential ray tracing, optical simulation, and tolerancing using Zemax or Code V
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Experience with DOE design and data analysis for problem solving and root cause analysis
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Experience with emerging or non-traditional manufacturing techniques, processes, and materials such as lamination, optical surface generation, or advanced casting methods
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Experience in owning tooling development and qualification for molds and fixtures, from design through production
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Experience with ophthalmic coating design, process development, and manufacturing
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Experience with high-precision machining and edging tools for lens cutting and engraving
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Experience with optical compliance and product regulations such as FDA, ANSI, or ISO
Public Compensation:
$144,000/year to $204,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Industry: Internet
Equal Opportunity:
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [email protected].
How this job compares
Set against the 434 open Optical Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 10, 2026.
- Pay
- This posting$144–204K/yr
- Washington median$127–185K/yr24 salary ranges
- US median$115–201K/yr384 salary ranges
This range's midpoint, $174K, is 9% above the Washington median midpoint ($160K) — in the middle half of Optical Engineer salary ranges in Washington.
- Openings
- Olive Jobs lists 25 open Optical Engineer jobs in Washington and 434 across the US. Under 1% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
- Experience
- This posting asks for at least 6 years of experience; Optical Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for 5 years at the median (377 postings).
- Education
- 264 of the 434 open Optical Engineer jobs (61%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.
Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 10, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.
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