Nanophotonics Engineer: Optical Substrates for AR/VR

Snapchat, Inc.; Abingdon; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Snap Inc. is seeking a Nanophotonics Engineer to develop, qualify, and scale optical materials and waveguide processes for next‑generation AR devices.

You will define requirements, plan experiments, fabricate samples, and benchmark results against simulations to drive robust product decisions. You will work across polymer, glass, and advanced materials, coordinating with suppliers and internal teams to translate data into reliable manufacturing solutions.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent with deep fundamentals in optics and materials science.
• Proven track record in designing and executing optical experiments.
• Ability to link material properties to optical performance.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support material and substrate qualification across polymers, glass, lithium niobate, SiC, and other advanced optical materials.
• Define sample requirements, test plans, acceptance criteria, and data packages for internal initiatives.
• Perform optical measurements: transmission, reflectance, refractive index, absorption, haze, scattering, efficiency, and FOV.
• Establish measurement methods and evaluate metrology for surface roughness, flatness, etc.
• Plan experiments comparing optical simulations with measurements and close gaps via design revisions.
• Develop fabrication processes: wafer cleaning, nanoimprinting, thin-film coating, laser cutting, waveguide stacking.
• Coordinate with suppliers and cross-functional teams for qualification and data review.
• Analyze data and maintain documentation of experiments for stakeholders.

Skills

Optics fundamentals

Nanophotonics

Waveguide physics

Data analysis

Experimental design

Collaboration

Python

MATLAB

Materials characterization

Nanoimprinting

Thin-film deposition

Education

PhD in Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, Materials Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related

7+ years of relevant industry experience

Tools

RCWA simulations

FEA

CAD/DXF

Optical metrology equipment

Python tooling

Job description

Snap Inc. is seeking a Nanophotonics Engineer to develop, qualify, and scale optical materials and waveguide processes for next‑generation AR devices.

You will define requirements, plan experiments, fabricate samples, and benchmark results against simulations to drive robust product decisions. You will work across polymer, glass, and advanced materials, coordinating with suppliers and internal teams to translate data into reliable manufacturing solutions.