Design Engineer

Location: Los Angeles, Canada

Department: Spectacles

Employment Type: Full time

About Snap Inc

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.

About the Role

Snap Inc. is a camera company that believes the camera + computation will help people share more of the moment in their day to day life. We're looking for a Design Engineer to join our Spectacles team, where we push the boundaries of AR hardware and software to redefine how people experience the world through our standalone AR glasses powered by Snap OS. In this role, you'll innovate at the intersection of camera technology, real-time AR, and wearable design, collaborating in a highly creative environment with designers, prototypers, user researchers, and product managers to build products that empower authentic expression and fun connections. You'll push the limits of AR on wearables, prototyping immersive experiences that overlay digital computing onto the real world via Spectacles. Working closely with product design and engineering teams, you'll iterate on sophisticated prototypes, test ideas with user researchers, and present directly to Snap's CEO and leadership—directly impacting the company's direction. Your work will harness Snapchat's camera-first ethos to create joyful, innovative AR features that bring communities together in new ways. The ideal candidate thrives in Snap's fast-paced, ambiguous culture, blending technical expertise in 3D engines and AR development with creative problem-solving and strategic vision. With strong fundamentals in computer science, graphics, and real-time rendering, you'll excel at rapid prototyping while communicating design decisions clearly to diverse stakeholders. Join us to pioneer the future of AR glasses, fostering Snap's mission of human progress through technology that captures life's moments.

What You'll Do

• Push the limits of AR on wearable devices and create innovative user experiences powered by Snap OS
• Work closely with product design teams to create and iterate on new prototypes for Spectacles AR glasses
• Collaborate with engineering teams to build sophisticated prototypes that overlay computing onto the real world
• Partner with user researchers to test new ideas, gather feedback, and rapidly iterate on designs
• Present work directly to the CEO and company leadership, influencing the strategic direction of Spectacles
• Build fun, innovative products that redefine camera technology and bring Snap's community together in AR
• Leverage camera-first innovation to enhance how people live in the moment and express themselves
• Act as a Product Manager when needed, driving high-level product strategy in a fast-paced environment
• Prototype experiences that push boundaries in AR hardware, focusing on seamless real-world integration
• Contribute to a collaborative team of designers, prototypers, and researchers to ship world-class AR products

Minimum Qualifications

• BS/BA degree or equivalent years of experience
• 2+ years of experience designing, prototyping, and programming with real-time 3D engines (e.g., Unity, Unreal, Lens Studio)
• Solid understanding of real-time AR development tools and 3D engines
• Strong computer science fundamentals
• Expertise with Javascript and C#/C++
• Familiarity with 3D math, linear algebra, 3D geometry, graphics, and rendering
• Understanding of software engineering principles

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with various spatial design, prototyping and development software (e.g., Lens Studio, Figma, Blender, C4D, Unity)
• Experience using LLMs and other generative models for application development
• Bringing something new to the table: whether that’s a new perspective on our product, a unique understanding of a particular field, or expertise in a particular field like AI, CV, ML, 3D graphics, HCI, etc.
• Passion for Snap Inc. products!

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Real-time AR development tools and 3D engines (Unity, Unreal, Lens Studio)
• Creating experiences for VR/AR on wearable devices
• 3D math, linear algebra, 3D geometry
• Graphics and rendering techniques
• Strong computer science fundamentals
• Expertise with Javascript
• C#/C++ programming
• Software engineering principles for prototypes
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• High-level product strategy thinking
• Ability to act as Product Manager
• Self-motivation in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
• Creative problem-solving
• Collaboration with design, engineering, and research teams

Our Benefits

• Paid parental leave
• Comprehensive medical coverage
• Emotional and mental health support programs
• Compensation packages that let you share in Snap’s long-term success
• Equity in the form of RSUs
• Office collaboration under our 'Default Together' policy (4+ days per week)
• Support for disabilities or special needs requiring accommodation
• Inclusive culture fostering diverse backgrounds and voices

Compensation

$157,000-$235,000 annually

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

"Default Together" Policy: At Snap Inc, we practice a "default together" approach and expect team members to work in an office 4+ days per week.

Snap is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.