Research Scientist AI for Optical Design & Manufacturing

Huaweis vision is to enrich lives through communication and intelligent innovation.

As a global leader in information and communications technology (ICT) Huawei drives innovation in artificial intelligence cloud computing and smart device technologies. Through its Carrier Enterprise and Consumer business groups the company delivers advanced Network Infrastructure Cloud and AI Platforms and industry-leading devices.

Huawei supports 45 of the worlds top 50 telecom operators and serves one-third of the global population with operations in over 170 countries and a workforce of more than 200000 employees.

Huawei Technologies Switzerland AG contributes to this innovation through cutting-edge research with offices in Zurich and Lausanne focusing on High-Performance Computing Computer Architecture Computer Vision Robotics Artificial Intelligence Neuromorphic Computing Wireless Technologies Networking and related fields.

Located in the heart of Europes technology hub the Huawei Camera & Computer Vision Lab in Zurich is an elite R&D team dedicated to redefining the limits of mobile imaging and visual computing. Our lab is composed of world-class researchers from prestigious institutions like ETH Zurich and EPFL.

We are the researchers behind many core AI and imaging algorithms that power Huaweis flagship mobile devices. By joining us you will work at the frontier of Computational Photography and Computer Vision translating academic excellence into industrial-scale innovation that reaches the hands of millions.

The Challenge:

As mobile form factors become slimmer and sensor demands increase traditional optical design is hitting a physical ceiling. We are looking for a Research Scientist to pioneer a new paradigm: AI-Driven Optics.

You will move beyond incremental improvements using AI to solve the complex inverse problems of lens design optimizing for both extreme image quality and high-volume manufacturing viability.

Key Responsibilities:

• Neural Inverse Design: Develop AI frameworks to automate the design of complex multi-element aspherical lens systems pushing the boundaries of MTF (Modulation Transfer Function) and light-gathering capabilities.

• End-to-End Co-Design: Lead the integrated optimization of optical hardware and downstream AI restoration algorithms. You will ensure the glass and the code work as a single unified system.

• Intelligent Manufacturing (DfM): Leverage generative AI and Bayesian optimization to simulate manufacturing variances. You will improve manufacture success rates by designing robust optical systems that maintain peak performance despite microscopic assembly tolerances.

• Next-Gen Simulations: Research and implement differentiable ray-tracing or wave-optics solvers to bridge the gap between deep learning and physical simulation.

• Academic Leadership: Publish original research in top-tier venues (CVPR ICCV SIGGRAPH) and contribute to Huaweis extensive global patent portfolio.

Qualifications:

• Education: PhD in Optical Sciences Physics Computer Science or Electrical Engineering from a top-tier university (e.g. ETH EPFL or equivalent).

• Technical Excellence: * Deep understanding of Physical Optics Aberration Theory and modern deep learning architectures.

  • Expertise in PyTorch and differentiable programming.

  • Hands-on experience with optical simulation tools (Zemax Code V) and their integration into Python-based AI workflows.

• Mindset: A passion for solving impossible hardware constraints through software and AI ingenuity.

• Languages: Fluency in English; proficiency in Chinese or German is a plus.

Why Huawei Zurich

• Impact: Your research will directly define the camera performance of the worlds most advanced smartphones.

• Collaboration: Work alongside industry-leading experts in a high-caliber academic-style research environment.

• Resources: Access to proprietary real-world datasets flagship ISP architectures and state-of-the-art optical lab facilities.

• Quality of Life: Experience the world-class standard of living nature and infrastructure in Zurich Switzerland.