Materials Engineer, Optical Substrate

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 operates Snapchat a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends family and the world and Specs Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary dedicated to making computing more human in addition to Bitmoji Saturn and other digital services.

Specs Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Snap Inc. dedicated to making computing more human. The company develops Specs advanced eyewear that seamlessly integrates digital experiences into the physical world.

Specs feature see-through lenses that place digital objects directly into three-dimensional space powered by Snap OS a proprietary context-aware operating system designed for natural interaction with your hands and voice.

Specs Inc. also provides Lens Studio a full suite of advanced developer tools that powers immersive augmented reality experiences across Specs Snapchat and other services.

We are looking for a Nanophotonics Engineer to develop qualify and scale optical materials waveguide processes and measurement methodologies for next-generation augmented reality devices.

This role combines materials qualification with optical simulation hands-on fabrication metrology mechanical and reliability testing and technical engagement with suppliers. You will work across the complete development lifecycle: defining requirements planning experiments fabricating and measuring samples benchmarking results against simulations identifying root causes and translating findings into robust product and manufacturing decisions.

What youll do:

• Lead or support material and substrate qualification across polymers glass lithium niobate silicon carbide and other advanced optical materials;
• Define sample requirements test plans acceptance criteria and data packages for internal and external technical initiatives;
• Perform and interpret optical measurements including transmission reflectance refractive index absorption haze scattering efficiency uniformity luminance MTF and FOV;
• Establish measurement methods and evaluate metrology capability for surface roughness flatness scattering visual inspection and wafer-level optical characterization;
• Plan and execute experiments comparing optical simulations with measured performance identifying discrepancies and closing the loop through design or process revisions;
• Develop and refine fabrication processes including wafer cleaning nanoimprinting thin-film coating laser cutting blackening and waveguide stacking;
• Develop reliability and mechanical test strategies covering flexural strength impact and drop resistance thermal exposure UV weathering humidity dynamic fatigue adhesion and geometric stability;
• Translate optical and process requirements into supplier-ready drawings wafer layouts mask data cutting instructions and technical specifications;
• Collaborate directly with material coating wafer and equipment suppliers to qualify capabilities review technical data manage samples and resolve process challenges;
• Coordinate cross-functional builds and trials alongside materials process design manufacturing reliability and optical-test engineering teams;
• Analyze experimental data maintain rigorous technical documentation and communicate key insights and recommendations to stakeholders and leadership.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Strong core fundamentals in optics nanophotonics mechanics waveguide physics or optical materials;
• Proven track record of designing and executing experiments in R&D or manufacturing environments;
• Ability to correlate optical performance with material properties process parameters structural geometry and measurement uncertainty;
• Exceptional data analysis and problem-solving skills with a proven capability to isolate design process material and metrology variables;
• Practical expertise in optical measurement systems and experimental calibration techniques;
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and communicate clearly with internal stakeholders and external partners;
• High attention to detail in sample handling process control data traceability and technical documentation.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in Physics Photonics Optical Engineering Materials Science Electrical Engineering Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline or 7 years of relevant industry experience;
• Hands-on experience with optical experimentation materials characterization photonic device development or a related laboratory discipline;
• Experience analyzing complex experimental data and delivering technical recommendations;
• Ability to create structured test plans document procedures and maintain traceable experimental records;
• Comfortable working hands-on with laboratory equipment and technical test samples.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with waveguide optics diffractive optics AR/VR displays grating couplers or nanophotonic devices;
• Experience with optical modeling RCWA simulations ray tracing or correlation of simulations to physical measurements;
• Experience with nanoimprint lithography spin coating thin-film deposition wafer processing laser cutting or optical assembly;
• Experience characterizing refractive index transmission reflectance absorption haze scattering surface roughness or flatness;
• Experience with glass SiC polymers resins hardcoats anti-reflection coatings or other optical materials;
• Familiarity with optical metrology systems spectrometers interferometric or profilometry tools or custom measurement equipment;
• Experience developing mechanical environmental or reliability tests for optical components;
• Proficiency in developing and executing Finite Element Analysis (FEA) models for stress deformation thermal mechanical or reliability analysis of materials;
• Proficiency in Python MATLAB or equivalent tools for data analysis and technical automation;
• Experience creating or reviewing CAD DXF wafer-layout or supplier-manufacturing data;
• Experience working with external suppliers on technical requirements sample plans process development and qualification.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation please dont 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.

Our Benefits: Snap Inc. is its own community so weve 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 Snaps long-term success!