Camera System Engineer

Meta’s Reality Lab designs and manufactures camera, depth sensing, and illuminators for Meta's AR/VR and wearable devices. We own our modules end-to-end, from architecture and requirements through design, qualification, and mass-production ramp by leading cross-functional partners and offshore vendors, defining specifications, and driving failure analysis and quality improvement to deliver high-quality modules.
As the technical technical owner for this role, you will own the design and delivery of advanced sensing and illuminator modules for Meta's next-generation products. The role spans multiple sensing and illumination domains, including thermal imaging and sensing. You will explore the solution landscape, determine what best fits our use cases, and define the module requirements, from detector and component selection through system integration. You will take this effort from new-technology initiative (NTI) through to new-product introduction (NPI), working closely with internal cross-functional partners and with offshore vendors and module integrators to manufacture these modules.

Camera System Engineer Responsibilities:

Technical leadership and ownership, serving as the primary point of contact for all technical aspects of the modules
Coordinate with cross-functional teams, including architecture, sensor, mechanical, electrical, optical, validation, process, testing, quality, reliability, system hardware and software engineering, etc., to ensure that the modules integrate seamlessly into the overall system, resolve technical challenges, and drive project success
Own the imaging/projector module as technical DRI, from solution exploration and vendor/detector evaluation through design, build, qualification, and ramp
Translate product features into system, module, and component-level requirements
Define detector and module requirements (e.g., frame rate, resolution, size, cost, power) and evolve them as the program matures
Support the NTI effort and drive it through the NPI process
Lead module packaging and assembly definition for consumer-grade, mass-production manufacturing
Work closely with offshore vendors and module integrators to manufacture these modules, supporting bring-up, troubleshooting, and quality at the factory
Conduct detailed DFMEA and PFMEA; own failure analysis and optical testing of the module
Analyze data from actual builds to validate design and simulation accuracy, lead iterative design cycles based on data analysis to ensure continuous improvement and refinement of the module
Maintain detailed documentation of all technical decisions, design iterations, and testing results
Regularly report on progress, challenges/escalations, and successes to leadership and other stakeholders
Up to 20% of travel, both domestic and international, to vendors and manufacturing sites as needed

Minimum Qualifications:

Bachelor's or Master's in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
6+ years of industry experience in optical sensing modules (e.g., camera modules, depth modules, ToF, structured light, stereo, active illumination systems) for consumer electronics or similar high-volume products
Experience as a camera-module technical owner, or equivalent end-to-end module ownership
Working experience with packaging technology, assembly and test methods at consumer / mass-production scale for camera, illumination and projector modules
Experience with CMOS image sensors, thermal sensors, and with illuminators (LED, VCSEL)
Experience taking an NTI project into NPI
Experience conducting detailed DFMEA and PFMEA, and with optical testing of modules
Experience working with offshore vendors and module integrators in a manufacturing environment
Demonstrated ability to translate product features into system/module/component requirements
Experience handling complex problems and ambiguity while working across large cross-functional teams

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with high-volume consumer electronics product development cycles
Familiarity with reliability testing and common module failure modes across the product lifecycle
Experience adhering to and implementing responsible, ethical AI practices (e.g., risk assessment, bias mitigation, quality and accuracy reviews)
Demonstrated ability to integrate AI tools to optimize/redesign workflows and drive measurable impact (e.g., efficiency gains, quality improvements)
Demonstrated ongoing AI skill development (e.g., prompt/context engineering, agent orchestration) and staying current with emerging AI technologies
Experience integrating optical/sensing modules in consumer applications
Familiarity with multi-modal sensing stack (d ToF/i ToF + RGB + thermal), understanding sensor fusion, alignment, temporal sync, and shared calibration

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 Whats App 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: $144,000/year to $204,000/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.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

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.
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