Senior Optical Design Engineer

Google Inc.; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 159,000 - 231,000; Full time

Job summary

Google seeks a Senior Optical Design Engineer for its Pixel Optics team in Mountain View, CA. You will contribute to end-to-end development of advanced optical systems for future Pixel products, focusing on high-fidelity optical modeling and opto-mechanical performance analysis.

Lead cross-functional efforts to define optical architectures for AR displays, ensuring manufacturability and integration with mass-produced hardware.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP).
• At least 4 years of experience in optical design.

Responsibilities

• Conduct advanced optical system modeling and simulation.
• Conduct non-sequential straylight simulation and analysis.
• Drive the optical design and architecture of near-eye displays.
• Collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, and Product Design teams to define specifications, manage tolerances, and ensure mass-manufacturability of designs.
• Develop, maintain, and execute complex optical models using industry-standard software and internal Python-based tools for analysis and visualization.

Skills

Optical design

Python for simulations

Camera systems and sensors

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related field

Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field

Tools

Python-based tools

Job description

corporate_fare Google place Mountain View, CA, USA

Apply

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP, etc.), or equivalent practical experience.
  
• 4 years of experience working in optical design.

Preferred qualifications:

• Master's degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a related field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP).
  
• Specialized experience in optical design.
• Proven proficiency in Python for automating optical simulations, data post-processing, and generating design reports.
• Familiarity with camera systems, sensors, and display technologies.

About the job

Join the innovative Pixel Optics team as a Senior Optical Design Engineer. In this role, you will be instrumental in the end-to-end development of advanced optical systems for future Pixel products, specializing in high-fidelity optical modeling and opto-mechanical performance analysis. Your role requires deep expertise in non-sequential ray trace analysis and sequential optical design. You will lead cross-functional efforts to define optical architectures and ensure manufacturability, leveraging your knowledge of Augmented Reality (AR) optical systems to solve complex, ambiguity-driven design challenges. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

About the job

Join the innovative Pixel Optics team as a Senior Optical Design Engineer. In this role, you will be instrumental in the end-to-end development of advanced optical systems for future Pixel products, specializing in high-fidelity optical modeling and opto-mechanical performance analysis. Your role requires deep expertise in non-sequential ray trace analysis and sequential optical design. You will lead cross-functional efforts to define optical architectures and ensure manufacturability, leveraging your knowledge of Augmented Reality (AR) optical systems to solve complex, ambiguity-driven design challenges. Individual pay is determined by factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

US: $159000 - $231000 (USD) + 15% bonus target + equity + benefits

Learn more about benefits at Google .

• Conduct advanced optical system modeling and simulation.
• Conduct non-sequential straylight simulation and analysis.
• Drive the optical design and architecture of near-eye displays.
• Collaborate with Mechanical, Electrical, and Product Design teams to define specifications, manage tolerances, and ensure successful integration of simulated designs into mass-manufacturable hardware.
• Develop, maintain, and execute complex optical models using industry-standard software and internal Python-based tools for analysis and visualization.

Google is proud to be an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. We are committed to building a workforce that is representative of the users we serve, creating a culture of belonging, and providing an equal employment opportunity regardless of race, creed, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy or related condition (including breastfeeding), expecting or parents-to-be, criminal histories consistent with legal requirements, or any other basis protected by law. See also Google's EEO Policy , Know your rights: workplace discrimination is illegal , Belonging at Google , and How we hire .

Google is a global company and, in order to facilitate efficient collaboration and communication globally, English proficiency is a requirement for all roles unless stated otherwise in the job posting.

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