Optical Engineer

Location: Abingdon, United States

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 believing that the camera—and AR innovation—presents the greatest opportunity to improve how people live and communicate. Through Snapchat, Lens Studio, and Spectacles, we empower real friendships, self-expression, and transformative real-world experiences powered by Snap OS in our fifth-generation AR glasses. The Spectacles team pushes boundaries in optics, materials, and manufacturing to blend digital and physical worlds seamlessly. Join our creative culture as an Optical Engineer in Spectacles, where you'll engineer next-generation AR hardware that enhances playing, learning, and working together via cutting-edge camera and display tech. As a hands-on Optical Engineer, you'll scale precision dispensing technologies critical to AR displays and components. Develop and optimize inkjet printing and coating processes (jet dispensing, spray, dip, aerosol jet, micro-dispensing, slot-die), owning end-to-end development from tool setup and waveform tuning to curing and statistical process control. Evaluate dispensing methods for optical clear adhesives, polymers, and micro-structures, leveraging deep knowledge of rheology, wetting, and adhesion to drive performance in Snap's high-performance AR glasses. Design metrology for film uniformity, geometry, optics, and defects; analyze data via DOE/SPC to boost yield and throughput. Collaborate with optical, mechanical, materials, and assembly teams to integrate processes into manufacturing, partnering internally/externally for mass production scale-up. Contribute to Snap's process roadmap, evaluating new tools to innovate AR hardware that fuses camera storytelling with real-world augmentation in our vibrant, diverse team.

What You'll Do

• Develop and optimize advanced dispensing and coating processes, with emphasis on inkjet printing and methods like jet dispensing, spray coating, dip coating, aerosol jet printing, micro-dispensing, and slot-die
• Own end-to-end process development, including tool setup/calibration, recipe definition, printhead maintenance, waveform tuning, substrate preparation, curing, and process control
• Evaluate and compare multiple dispensing approaches for functional layers in AR components, such as optical clear adhesives, polymer layers, and micro-structured materials
• Understand rheology, surface tension, wetting, and adhesion of materials to drive method selection and process performance
• Design and implement metrology for film thickness/uniformity, feature geometry, surface morphology, alignment, optical performance, and defect modes
• Analyze process data using statistical methods (DOE, SPC, regression, yield modeling) to improve uniformity, throughput, repeatability, and yield
• Collaborate cross-functionally with optical engineering, mechanical design, materials science, reliability, and assembly teams to integrate processes into AR module manufacturing
• Work with internal/external partners to scale processes for mass production of next-generation Spectacles
• Support long-term process roadmap, identify technology gaps, and evaluate new dispensing tools/methods for AR hardware
• Contribute to engineering high-performance AR glasses that blend cutting-edge optics with the real world for Snapchat's Spectacles

Minimum Qualifications

• Master’s (or higher) degree in Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related technical field
• 5+ years of hands-on experience with inkjet printing, dispensing, coating, micro-fabrication, printed electronics, or precision deposition processes
• Experience working effectively in R&D labs, cleanrooms, or controlled-environment manufacturing settings
• Expertise in inkjet printing, including waveform tuning, drop formation dynamics, material compatibility, and print quality control
• Practical experience with industrial printheads (e.g., Xaar, Fuji, Konica Minolta) and familiarity with control software (e.g., GIS, Meteor) and drop watching systems
• Strong foundational grasp of fluid mechanics, surface science, wetting, and thin film characterization/metrology
• Broad understanding of precision dispensing/coating methods such as jet dispensing, micro-dispense, aerosol jet printing, spray coating, dip coating, or slot-die coating

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant discipline or 10+ years of extensive experience in precision dispensing, printed electronics, advanced manufacturing, or display technology
• Proven experience evaluating and selecting between multiple deposition/coating techniques based on complex material, optical, and mechanical requirements
• Familiarity with AR/VR optical components, waveguides, nanoimprinting, thin-film deposition, bonding, and dry etching processes
• Experience in process transfer, successful scale-up to mass production, yield optimization, and implementation of inline metrology

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Inkjet printing expertise (waveform tuning, drop formation, material compatibility, print quality)
• Industrial printhead operation (Xaar, Fuji, Konica Minolta) and software (GIS, Meteor)
• Precision dispensing/coating techniques (jet, micro-dispense, aerosol jet, spray, dip, slot-die)
• Fluid mechanics, rheology, surface tension, wetting, and adhesion analysis
• Thin film metrology (profilometry, interferometry, reflectometry, optical microscopy, defect inspection)
• Statistical process analysis (DOE, SPC, regression, yield modeling)
• Experimental design and problem-solving for R&D investigations
• Cross-functional collaboration with engineering and manufacturing teams
• Process optimization for uniformity, throughput, repeatability, and yield
• AR optics knowledge (waveguides, nanoimprinting, thin-film deposition)
• Cleanroom and controlled manufacturing experience
• Effective communication and documentation of processes/findings
• Hands-on tool setup, calibration, and maintenance
• Scalability for mass production and inline metrology implementation

Our Benefits

• Paid parental leave
• Comprehensive medical coverage
• Emotional and mental health support programs
• Compensation packages with equity to share in Snap’s long-term success
• Office-based “Default Together” policy fostering dynamic collaboration 4+ days per week
• Opportunities to innovate in AR glasses and camera technology within a creative culture
• Diverse, inclusive environment committed to equal opportunity employment
• Support for disabilities or special needs with accommodations

"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.