Principal Optical Scientist, Waveguide Design

A new paradigm of computing

Magic Leap is a pioneer in spatial computing, developing groundbreaking augmented reality technology that seamlessly blends digital content with the real world. As the creator of the next computing platform, our mixed reality devices unlock new possibilities for how people interact with and experience their surroundings.

Magic Leap could be your place if you want to be part of a united team where everyone is empowered and trusted to make an impact. At Magic Leap, you can explore innovative solutions and use your talents to solve real-world problems. Working alongside industry experts, you can grow your skills and amplify human potential at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds. We know that successful change and progress accelerate diverse perspectives. As we shape our future, everyone's voice matters. Together, we can reimagine the world of work and, with our bold partners, make the impossible possible.

The opportunity

The Principal Optical Scientist will drive innovation in optical component-level technology for next-generation Mixed Reality experiences, with primary focus on designing custom waveguides for Mixed Reality devices. This role requires cross-functional collaboration with waveguide manufacturing, materials, optical systems engineering, and metrology teams to achieve aggressive technical goals, with the ideal candidate being equally proficient in both optical design and software engineering.

This role is based on our Austin, TX office and will require you to come into our office regularly. Relocation assistance offered.

What you'll do

• Lead and build a cutting-edge experimental optics lab, focused on bridging the gap between nanostructure fabrication and macroscopic waveguide performance.
• Define the strategic vision and technical roadmap for experimental characterization, ensuring the team develops simplified yet insightful optical experiments to uncover fundamental performance drivers.
• Architect and oversee the development of custom optical experiments, test methodologies, and advanced metrology techniques to analyze waveguide performance at an unprecedented level.
• Spearhead efforts to correlate nano-metrology data (e.g., SEM, AFM) with macro-scale optical performance measurements (e.g., optofidelity, stray light, efficiency, contrast).
• Lead collaborations with fabrication, metrology, optical design, and modeling teams, ensuring experimental findings translate into meaningful design and process improvements.
• Drive innovation in optical testing, rapid prototyping, and experimental methodologies, identifying and mitigating key performance limitations in diffractive waveguide architectures.
• Guide data analysis efforts, integrating statistical methodologies, physics-based modeling, and AI-assisted pattern recognition to extract deep insights from experimental results.
• Mentor and grow a team of staff scientists, engineers, and research specialists, fostering a culture of scientific rigor, innovation, and cross-disciplinary collaboration.
• Clearly communicate experimental findings, strategic insights, and recommendations to both technical and executive stakeholders.

The experience you bring

• PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics, Electrical Engineering, or related technical field, or equivalent professional experience in optical systems design and development.
• 10+ years of experience in experimental optics, photonics research, or optical system characterization, with a strong focus on waveguides, diffractive optics, or nanophotonics.
• Proven leadership experience, driving technical initiatives, mentoring teams, and influencing strategic decision-making in an R&D setting.
• Deep expertise in optical metrology techniques, including interferometry, scatterometry, ellipsometry, spectrometry, and polarization analysis.
• Hands-on experience designing and optimizing custom optical test setups and novel measurement methodologies.
• Strong background in experimental design, uncertainty quantification, and systematic optical performance validation.
• Proficiency in Python (or MATLAB) for experimental automation, data processing, and advanced statistical analysis.
• Experience bridging fabrication, materials science, and optical characterization, with a track record of identifying root causes and optimizing performance.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines, leading cross-functional initiatives and translating experimental insights into actionable design and manufacturing improvements.

It's exciting if you also have

• Experience with diffractive waveguides, AR/MR display optics, and nanophotonic structures.
• Familiarity with test coupon characterization and systematic probing of eyepieces.
• Knowledge of machine vision, automated optical inspection, or AI-enhanced metrology.
• Hands-on experience with cleanroom-based fabrication techniques and how process variations impact optical performance.
• Background in computational electromagnetics, optical simulation, or physics-based machine learning applications.
• Track record of filing patents, publishing research, or driving industry-leading experimental innovations.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to Equal Employment Opportunities guidelines.

All legitimate Magic Leap email communications will end with "@magicleap.com". Please carefully review all emails you receive, to ensure you only engage with legitimate representatives of Magic Leap. For the protection of your Personal Information, do not click any links, open any attachments, or further engage with any suspicious communications. In the event you receive an unexpected or suspicious communication claiming to come from Magic Leap, please reach out directly to ... for assistance.

Please note that we do not accept any application documents via (e-)mail. Furthermore, we do not accept applications from recruitment agencies for this role.

Accommodations

If you need an accommodation during the application, interviewing, or hiring process, you may request an accommodation by emailing .... Magic Leap will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.

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Our salary ranges are determined by role, level and location. In addition to salary, Magic Leap offers a discretionary bonus and a fully comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.

US Base Salary Range

$200,000-$230,000 USD