Optical Engineering Intern - Camera, Depth & Cover Window Optics

Meta; Sunnyvale (CA); On-site; USD 39,000 - 55,000; Part time

Job summary

Meta is seeking an Optical Engineering Intern for the Camera, Depth & Cover Window Optics within Reality Labs in Sunnyvale, CA. You will own a focused project, build optical models, and analyze design trade-offs to support AR/VR hardware development.

You will develop automation scripts in Python or MATLAB and collaborate with cross-functional teams to translate simulations into measurements and validated results.

Qualifications

• Coursework or project experience in geometrical and physical optics, imaging, or radiometry.
• Experience with at least one optical design or analysis tool such as Zemax, CODE V, LightTools, FRED, or comparable.
• Programming and data analysis experience in Python or MATLAB.
• Must obtain work authorization in country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment.
• Intent to return to full-time degree program after completion of the internship.

Responsibilities

• Own a focused optical engineering project from problem definition through modeling, analysis, validation, and final presentation.
• Build and run optical models and simulations to evaluate how optical components affect system-level performance.
• Analyze optical performance metrics such as MTF, stray light, distortion, surface form and scatter.
• Develop analysis scripts and tooling in Python or MATLAB to automate simulation workflows.
• Support lab characterization of optical components, including measurement setup and data collection.
• Document assumptions, methods, and results clearly, and present findings to engineering partners.

Skills

Geometrical optics

Physical optics

Imaging/radiometry

Python/MATLAB

Education

Optics coursework

Tools

Zemax

CODE V

LightTools

FRED

Job description

Join Reality Labs and help define the next generation of Wearables and Mixed Reality experiences. Our team is pioneering advanced optical systems that seamlessly merge physical and digital worlds through cutting-edge wearable technology.As an Optical Engineering Intern on the Camera & Depth Sensors team, you will work alongside the optical engineers who design and productize the camera lenses, depth optics, cover windows, and light pipes at the heart of Meta's AR, VR, and AI Glasses products. You will own a focused technical project with a real deliverable on our roadmap — building optical models, quantifying design trade-offs, correlating simulation against measurement, and presenting your findings to the engineers who will carry the work forward. This is an opportunity to see how optical engineering decisions translate into shipping consumer hardware, at a scale and pace that is difficult to experience anywhere else.This is a 12-week internship.

Optical Engineering Intern - Camera, Depth & Cover Window Optics Responsibilities:

• Own a focused optical engineering project from problem definition through modeling, analysis, validation, and final presentation, with guidance from your intern manager and a technical mentor.
• Build and run optical models and simulations (sequential and non-sequential) to evaluate how optical components (camera lenses, cover windows, depth optics, and light pipes) affect system-level performance.
• Analyze optical performance metrics such as MTF, stray light, distortion, surface form and scatter, and quantify design trade-offs against engineering requirements.
• Develop analysis scripts and tooling in Python or MATLAB to automate simulation workflows, post-process large datasets, and make results reproducible for the broader team.
• Support lab characterization of optical components, including measurement setup, data collection, and correlation of measured results against simulation predictions.
• Document assumptions, methods, and results clearly, and present findings to optical, camera, and cross-functional engineering partners.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Coursework or project experience in geometrical and physical optics, imaging, or radiometry
• Experience with at least one optical design or analysis tool (e.g., Zemax, CODE V, LightTools, FRED, or comparable)
• Programming and data analysis experience in Python or MATLAB
• Must obtain work authorization in country of employment at the time of hire, and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment
• Intent to return to full‑time degree program after completion of the internship

Preferred Qualifications:

• Coursework or research in imaging systems, illumination design, stray light analysis, or computational imaging
• Hands‑on optical lab experience with instrumentation such as spectrometers, interferometers, scatterometers, lab microscopes, or MTF test benches
• Familiarity with optical performance metrics and measurement techniques (MTF, BSDF, surface form and roughness, distortion, transmitted wavefront error)
• Exposure to non‑sequential or stray light simulation, tolerance analysis, or Monte Carlo yield analysis
• Familiarity with optical materials, thin‑film coatings, or injection‑molded and formed optical components
• Interest in applying machine learning or automation to optical design, simulation, or data analysis workflows
• Experience communicating technical results clearly to a multidisciplinary audience

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affi­? We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereotypes, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E‑Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at [e-mail].

Individual compensation is determined by skills, qualifications, experience, and location. Compensation details listed in this posting reflect the base hourly rate, monthly rate, or annual salary only, and do not include bonus, equity or sales incentives, if applicable. In addition to base compensation, Meta offers benefits. Learn more about benefits at Meta.