Software Engineer, Meta Horizon Engine - Reality Labs

Meta; Burlingame (CA); On-site; USD 219,000 - 301,000; Full time

Job summary

Meta is seeking an engineering leader for the Horizon Engine responsible for directing one or more engine systems and mentoring engineers. You will optimize real-time performance under strict budgets and collaborate with partner teams to deliver high-quality, developer-friendly tooling across platforms.

Responsibilities include owning hard system components, anticipating product needs, and maintaining a high quality bar for the engine users, while growing the team’s capabilities in a AAA-grade

Qualifications

• Requires a Bachelor's degree in CS/CE or equivalent practical experience.
• 6+ years of software development experience in industry settings or PhD with 4+ years.
• Experience with C++ and/or C.
• Excellent ability to communicate with a broad range of stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for engine systems and anticipate product needs.
• Own and implement the hardest parts of the system and lead engineers on the team.
• Profile and optimize real-time systems under demanding budgets (content, resources, thermal).
• Set a high quality bar to keep the engine easy and delightful for developers to use.
• Engage in in-depth collaboration with partner teams to drive product outcomes.

Skills

C/C++ development

Stakeholder communication

Real-time systems understanding

Performance optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree in CS/CE or equivalent

6+ years software development experience

Job description

This is an engineering leadership role on the Meta Horizon Engine, the cross-platform native engine powering Meta Horizon experiences.

Responsibilities

• Set direction for one or more engine systems, accurately anticipating new technology changes and product needs
• Own and implement the hardest parts of the system, while leading and growing engineers on the team
• Profile and optimize real-time systems to ensure performance under demanding content, resource, and thermal budgets
• Set a high quality bar to keep the engine easy and delightful for developers to use
• Engage in in-depth collaboration with partner teams to drive successful product outcomes

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, relevant technical field, or equivalent practical experience
• 6+ years software development experience in industry settings or PhD with 4+ years of experience
• Experience with C++ and/or C
• Experience in communicating effectively with a broad range of stakeholders, collaborators and clients, at different levels

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience leading one or more real-time engine components (e.g. Simulation, Performance, Networking, Audio, Assets) for a AAA engine (Unreal, Frostbite, Unity 3D, or other/proprietary AAA)
• Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
• Experience building for multiple hardware platforms (e.g. PC, Console, MR/VR, Cloud, mobile)
• Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
• Proven understanding of 3D math, linear algebra and physics
• Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
• Experience with performance optimization of real-time applications
• Experience developing SDKs or shared technology that balances the needs of multiple shipping products

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…

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Aff…

$219,000/year to $301,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits

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.