Waveguide Development Engineer, XR

Google•San Jose, CA

18h•$147,000 - $216,000

About The Position

We are seeking an experienced new Waveguide Development Engineer with experience in optics hardware development. In this role, you will lead the development and manufacturing of optical systems, bridging the gap between design and high-volume production to realize next-generation augmented reality eyewear displays. For decades, the computing revolution has reshaped our world driven by breakthroughs in compute, connectivity, mobile, and now, AI. Google's XR team is at the forefront of the next major leap – the convergence of AI and XR. This is more than just new devices – it's about reimagining how we interact with the world around us. We're building a future where lightweight XR devices pair with helpful AI to augment human intelligence, offering personalized, conversational, and contextually aware experiences. The US base salary range for this full-time position is $147,000-$216,000 + bonus + equity + benefits. Our salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education or training. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process. Please note that the compensation details listed in US role postings reflect the base salary only, and do not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Learn more about benefits at Google .

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP, etc.), or equivalent practical experience.
4 years of experience working in the augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) optical system, waveguide display system, or optical semiconductor manufacturing field for waveguides.
Experience in design of experiments (DOE) or statistical process control (SPC).

Nice To Haves

Experience delivering medium quantity optical products with augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), or heads-up display (HUD) optics.
Experience managing the complete optical design life-cycle from design, optimization, analysis, tolerances, fabrication, and metrology.
Ability to travel to Asia for extended periods of time.
Excellent problem-solving skills, with a data-driven approach.
Excellent communication and people-management skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
Excellent project management skills, including planning, execution, and stakeholder communication.

Responsibilities

Develop and implement manufacturing processes for optical components and assemblies, focusing on yield, quality, and cost efficiency.
Collaborate with design, optical engineering, and manufacturing teams to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and process integration.
Design and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) to characterize process parameters, identify critical process controls, and optimize manufacturing performance.
Utilize statistical process control (SPC) and data analysis techniques to monitor process stability, identify deviations, and drive continuous improvement.
Conduct root cause analysis for process issues, yield loss, and quality defects, and implement effective corrective and preventive actions (CAPA).