Meta
Aerospace & DefenseDirect employer career site

Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD)

Pay
$7,313 – $12,667 per month
Location
Redmond, WA · On-site
Job type
Internship
Level
Entry level
Experience
2+ years
Education
Doctorate
Listed
29 days ago

Skills & highlights for this role

  • work authorization
  • physical optics
  • Zemax OpticStudio
  • MATLAB

Also useful

  • Code V
  • LightTools
  • Python

About the role

  • Skip to main content
  • Jobs
  • Teams
  • Career Programs
  • Working at Meta
  • Blog
  • Podcasts
  • Jobs
  • Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD)
  • Redmond, WA +1 location
  • Research
  • + 1 more

Meta Reality Labs brings together a team of researchers, developers, and engineers to create the future of virtual and augmented reality, which together will become as universal and essential as smartphones and personal computers are today. And just as personal computers have done over the past 45 years, AR and VR will ultimately change everything about how we work, play, and connect.

We are developing all the technologies needed to enable breakthrough AR glasses and VR headsets, including optics and displays, computer vision, audio, graphics, brain-computer interface, haptic interaction, eye/hand/face/body tracking, perception science, and true telepresence.

Some of those will advance much faster than others, but they all need to happen to enable AR and VR that are so compelling that they become an integral part of our lives.

Our internships are twelve to twenty-four weeks long and we have various start dates throughout the year.

Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) Responsibilities

  • Collaborate with researchers and cross-functional partners, including communicating research plans, progress, and results
  • Publish research results and contribute to research that can be applied to Meta product development
  • Develop next-generation AR/VR displays with an emphasis on advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and understand the perceptual impact of those concepts
  • Collaborate with larger Meta Reality Labs Research team to explore novel solution space for AR/VR devices
  • Explore the application of at least one of the following: geometrical optics, diffraction optics, polarization optics, illumination, optical system design
  • This position will have an emphasis on advanced simulations and prototyping to prove new concepts and the perceptual impact of those concepts

Minimum Qualifications

  • Currently has or is in the process of obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Optical Science, Optical Engineering, Opto-Mechanics, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Computational Imaging or relevant technical field
  • Must obtain work authorization in the country of employment at the time of hire and maintain ongoing work authorization during employment
  • 2+ years of experience in at least one of the following areas of optical research: physical optics, geometric optics, aberration theory, optical system prototyping
  • 2+ years of experience with optical design programs such as Zemax OpticStudio, Code V, LightTools, FRED, or similar
  • 2+ years of experience with scientific programming languages (e.g., MATLAB, Python, and Mathematica)

Preferred Qualifications

  • Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences
  • Intent to return to the degree program after the completion of the internship/co-op
  • 2+ years of experience in system-level prototyping work, including hands-on prototyping of benchtop optical components
  • Experience working and communicating cross-functionally in a team environment
  • Proven track record of achieving significant results as demonstrated by grants, fellowships, patents, as well as first-authored publications at leading workshops or conferences such as JOSA, SPIE, OSA, IEEE, CLEO, or similar

Find your role

  • Explore jobs that match your skills and experience. Search by technology, team or location to find an opening that’s right for you.
  • View jobs
  • Recruiters can view your conversations with AI. Using AI is optional and does not impact the outcome of your application process.Learn more about AI usage and settings.
  • Sign up to ask follow-up questions
  • Job Search
  • Technology Teams
  • Artificial Intelligence
  • Creative
  • Infrastructure
  • Metaverse and Wearables
  • Product and Program Management
  • Research and Data
  • Security
  • Software Engineering
  • Business Teams
  • Business Operations
  • Partnerships
  • Sales and Marketing
  • Career Programs
  • Research
  • Accelerate Eng Talent
  • Students and Grads
  • Rotational Programs
  • Working at Meta
  • Accessiblity and Engagement

Benefits

  • Culture
  • Hiring Process
  • My account
  • Career profile
  • Account settings
  • Messages
  • Meta Careers Blog
  • Meta Tech Podcasts

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.

For those who live in or expect to work from California if hired for this position, please click here for additional information.

United States of America: $7,313/month to $12,667/month + 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.

About Meta

  • Media gallery
  • Brand resources
  • For investors
  • Looking for contractor roles?
  • Community Standards
  • Data Policy
  • Terms
  • Cookie Policy
Equal opportunity and legal notices

Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, reproductive health decisions, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, genetic information, political views or activity, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. You may view our Equal Employment Opportunity notice here.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans in our job application procedures. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, fill out the Accommodations request form.

Take the first step toward a rewarding career at Meta.

Meta is committed to providing reasonable support (called accommodations) in our recruiting processes for candidates with disabilities, long term conditions, mental health conditions or sincerely held religious beliefs, or who are neurodivergent or require pregnancy-related support. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, fill out the Accommodations request form

Notice regarding automated employment decision tools in New York City

©2026 Meta.

If you have any trouble, you can report an issue

Report a bug

Read the original posting

From Meta's careers page, first listed on Rolev.ai on October 12, 2026. Rolev.ai is not the employer.

How Rolev.ai helps with this application

Rolev.ai is a job search and application tool for US job seekers. For this Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) role at Meta, it shows how your resume fits, tailors your resume to the posting, and prepares the application for you to review.

  • See how you fit

    Openings from employer career sites are ranked against your whole resume—and searchable inside Claude, ChatGPT, and Cursor via Rolev.ai MCP.

  • Tailor without inventing

    Every change to your resume is checked against your original. New experience goes in only with your yes—zero fabricated claims.

  • Draft the full kit

    Tailored and Full Match resumes, role-specific cover letters, and answers to employer screening questions are prepared in seconds.

  • 1-Click Extension Autofill

    The Chrome extension fills the employer's Greenhouse, Workday, Lever, or Ashby form in 1 click. You review it and press Submit.

Start free with 5 tailored applications a monthChrome extensionFor AI assistantsPricingHow Rolev.ai comparesApplication guides

Similar roles

More at Meta

All Meta jobs

Common questions

What is the salary for the Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) role at Meta?

The Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) posting at Meta states compensation of $7,313 – $12,667 per month. It is listed as a internship position. Final pay may depend on location, experience, and interview evaluation on Meta's official career site.

Where is the Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) job at Meta located?

This Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) position at Meta is located in Redmond, WA (On-site). Always check Meta's application page for specific state eligibility or relocation policies.

What qualifications are required for Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) at Meta?

For the Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) role, Meta highlights 2+ years of relevant experience; a doctorate; experience with physical optics, Zemax OpticStudio, MATLAB. Rolev.ai can score your existing resume against these requirements and show any skill gaps before you apply.

How do I apply for the Research Scientist Intern, Optical System Design (PhD) position at Meta?

This listing links directly to Meta's application page. You can apply directly on Meta's site, or use Rolev.ai to check your resume fit, generate a zero-hallucination tailored resume and cover letter for this posting, and autofill the application form in 1 click with the Rolev.ai Chrome extension. You always review the form and press Submit yourself.

Tailor resume & applyCompany site