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 technology company that believes the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together through our core products: Snapchat, Lens Studio, and Spectacles AR glasses. The Spectacles team is at the forefront of pushing AR innovation, with our fifth-generation Spectacles powered by Snap OS showcasing how standalone, see-through AR glasses revolutionize playing, learning, and working in the real world. Join our creative culture as a Product Design Engineer on the Spectacles team, where you'll design cutting-edge camera and AR hardware that brings people closer together. In this role, you'll design, prototype, and analyze new products and components from concept to mass production, collaborating closely with industrial design, operations, and engineering teams to integrate advanced camera technology into AR glasses. You'll conduct failure analysis, support onsite builds at suppliers, create production-ready models, and lead technical reviews to ensure Spectacles deliver seamless, innovative experiences. Your work will directly contribute to AR features that enhance real-world creativity and connectivity, all while thriving in Snap's dynamic, camera-first environment. We're seeking engineers with strong fundamentals in materials, manufacturing, and CAD who can communicate ideas effectively and travel internationally up to 20%. If you have experience in consumer electronics, overseas production, or Nx CAD, you'll excel here. Snap's 'Default Together' policy fosters our innovative culture through 4+ days of in-office collaboration. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, committed to diverse teams that drive AR breakthroughs. Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, parental leave, mental health support, and equity to share in our success.

What You'll Do

• Design, prototype, and analyze exciting new products and components from concept to mass production for Spectacles AR glasses
• Collaborate with industrial design, operations, and cross-functional engineering teams to innovate in camera and AR technology
• Conduct failure analysis and implement corrective actions for design improvements in AR hardware
• Support development builds onsite at external component suppliers and contract manufacturers
• Create detailed design models and documentation for production of Spectacles components
• Develop and conduct technical experiments to select optimal designs, materials, and technologies for AR innovation
• Lead and contribute to technical design reviews, sharing ideas with peers and leadership
• Prototype camera-integrated AR features to enhance real-world connectivity and creative expression
• Analyze structural integrity of see-through AR lenses and frames under real-world usage
• Optimize designs for Snap OS-powered Spectacles to enable seamless playing, learning, and working

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
• Proficiency with Nx CAD software

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 3D CAD modeling and 2D documentation
• Mechanical engineering fundamentals
• Materials science knowledge
• Manufacturing methods expertise
• Tolerance analysis
• Design for manufacturing (DFM)
• Structural analysis
• Failure analysis and corrective actions
• Prototyping and technical experimentation
• Cross-functional collaboration
• Technical presentation and communication
• Idea visualization for leadership
• International travel and supplier coordination
• Consumer electronics design
• AR hardware integration
• Camera technology mechanics
• Problem-solving in fast-paced environments
• Attention to detail in precision engineering

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 development

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.