Product Design Engineer

Location: Los Angeles, Canada | Palo Alto, 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—and AR innovation—presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We're pushing human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together through Snapchat, Lens Studio, and our groundbreaking Spectacles AR glasses. The Spectacles team is at the forefront of standalone, see-through AR technology powered by Snap OS, making playing, learning, and working better in the real world. Join our creative culture as a Product Design Engineer on the Spectacles team, where you'll design next-generation AR wearables that blend seamlessly with camera tech to bring people closer together. In this role, you'll design, prototype, and analyze innovative products and components from concept to mass production, collaborating closely with industrial design, operations, and engineering teams. You'll conduct failure analysis, support onsite builds at suppliers, create production-ready models, and lead technical reviews—all while experimenting with materials and technologies tailored for lightweight AR glasses. Your work will directly enhance Spectacles' camera-first AR experiences, ensuring durability, manufacturability, and user delight in real-world applications. We're seeking engineers with strong fundamentals in mechanical design, proficiency in 3D CAD, and a passion for consumer electronics. With up to 20% international travel, you'll thrive in our 'Default Together' environment, working 4+ days a week in-office to fuel dynamic collaboration. Snap's diverse, innovative culture values bold ideas and voices from all backgrounds. We offer competitive pay (Zone A: $142K-$214K base + equity), comprehensive benefits including medical, parental leave, and mental health support, and the chance to shape the future of AR at a company redefining human connection.

What You'll Do

• Design, prototype, and analyze exciting new products and components for Spectacles from concept to mass production
• Collaborate with industrial design, operations, and cross-functional engineering teams to innovate AR hardware
• Conduct failure analysis and implement corrective actions for design improvements in camera and AR systems
• Support development builds onsite at external component suppliers and contract manufacturers
• Create detailed design models and documentation for production of Spectacles prototypes
• Develop and conduct technical experiments to select optimal designs, materials, and technologies for AR glasses
• Lead and contribute to technical design reviews for Spectacles product iterations
• Integrate mechanical designs with camera technology and Snap OS to enhance real-world AR experiences
• Prototype innovative components that push boundaries in see-through AR for playing, learning, and working
• Analyze structural integrity and tolerances for lightweight, wearable AR devices

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• 3+ years of relevant industry experience in product design engineering
• Strong engineering fundamentals with wide knowledge of materials and manufacturing methods
• Proficiency in 3D CAD and 2D documentation
• Technical background in product design, mechanical architecture, tolerance analysis, design for manufacturing, and structural analysis
• Strong communication skills, including written, verbal, and presentation abilities
• Ability to travel internationally up to 20%

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in Mechanical Engineering or related field
• Experience with consumer electronics, particularly AR glasses or camera technology
• Experience with mechanical design of plastic and metal components, PCBs, and FPCs
• Experience with overseas manufacturing
• Experience with Nx CAD software

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 3D CAD modeling (e.g., Nx preferred)
• 2D technical documentation
• Materials science and selection
• Manufacturing processes (DFM)
• Tolerance stack-up analysis
• Structural finite element analysis (FEA)
• Mechanical architecture design
• Failure mode analysis (FMEA)
• Prototyping and rapid iteration
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Technical presentation skills
• International travel and supplier management
• Consumer electronics integration
• PCB and FPC mechanical design
• AR hardware innovation
• Camera module design fundamentals
• Written and verbal communication
• Creative problem-solving in fast-paced environments

Our Benefits

• Paid parental leave
• Comprehensive medical coverage
• Emotional and mental health support programs
• Compensation packages with equity in the form of RSUs
• Competitive base salary based on pay zones (Zone A: $142,000-$214,000; Zone B: $135,000-$203,000; Zone C: $121,000-$182,000)
• "Default Together" policy with dynamic in-office collaboration 4+ days per week
• Opportunities to contribute to Snap's innovative AR and camera technology culture
• Support for diverse backgrounds to foster creative product innovation

Compensation

$142,000-$214,000 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.