Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer
Magic Leap · Austin, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $155,000 / year
- Austin, TX
Job highlights
- Lead metrology and optical test for AR hardware.
- Drive measurement, calibration, and instrumentation approaches.
- Ensure accuracy, repeatability, and compliance for products.
- Collaborate with R&D, Manufacturing, and Integration teams.
- Requires on-site presence in Florida or Texas.
About the role
Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer
Magic Leap is a pioneer in Augmented Reality (AR) optics, display systems, platforms, devices services, prototyping and manufacturing capabilities. We are known for our unmatched optics stack and have developed ultra-lightweight waveguides and display systems that advance what is possible in AR. With more than a decade of experience in AR innovation, we have made groundbreaking advancements in text legibility, color fidelity and rich digital content visuals while continually expanding the field of view to create engaging, immersive AR experiences.
Magic Leap could be your place if you want to be part of a united team where everyone is empowered and trusted to make an impact. At Magic Leap, you can explore innovative solutions and use your talents to solve real-world problems. Working alongside industry experts, you can grow your skills while helping make our technology available to millions of people as a partner in the AR ecosystem. We know that successful change and progress accelerate diverse perspectives. As we shape our future, everyone's voice matters. Together, we can reimagine the world of work and, with our bold partners, make the impossible possible.
The Opportunity
We are seeking an experienced, hands-on Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer to serve as a key technical leader within our waveguide manufacturing team. This role will drive measurement, calibration, and instrumentation approaches across nanostructure characterization and optical performance testing for outgoing products. The position has broad impact across the organization, helping ensure the highest standards of accuracy, repeatability, and compliance are met in support of customer requirements.
The ideal candidate will bring deep technical expertise in metrology and optical test principles, quality systems, and advanced measurement equipment, while serving as a strong cross-functional partner and technical resource to the broader organization. This role is integral to advancing our Optics NPI and Manufacturing practices and will work closely with design, process, materials, and integration teams. This position requires being fully onsite in either Plantation, Florida or Austin, Texas.
What You’ll Do
Technical Leadership & Cross-Functional Influence
- Drive and evolve metrology and optical test approaches for Optics NPI and Manufacturing, ensuring alignment with product, process, and quality objectives
- Serve as a technical leader for metrology-related problem solving, helping establish best practices in structured root cause analysis and technical communication
- Partner closely across R&D, Manufacturing, NPI, Materials, and related teams to support solutions from early NPI through high-volume ramp
- Influence measurement strategy, workflow integration, and test methodology to improve capability, consistency, and operational readiness
- Deliver clear technical documentation and presentations, and build effective partnerships across internal teams and external suppliers
Measurement and Optical Test Tools
- Lead technical oversight of measurement and test equipment to ensure calibration, verification, traceability, and compliance with applicable quality standards such as ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 9001
- Develop and refine standard methodologies for metrology and optical test, including measurement uncertainty analysis, gauge R&R, calibration planning, and tool performance validation
- Define, develop, and qualify advanced test and characterization methods to deepen understanding of waveguide materials, processes, and their impact on device performance
- Drive setup and optimization of test recipes, configurations, and validation plans, including GR&R, matching studies, calibrated standards, golden units, long-term stability, and factory/site acceptance activities for new equipment
- Partner across engineering, manufacturing, and supplier teams to improve measurement capability, test robustness, and overall process confidence
Technical Expertise and Support
- Serve as a primary technical subject matter expert for complex measurement, characterization, and optical test challenges, providing guidance across R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, and related teams
- Apply deep expertise in metrology, characterization, optics, and nanofabrication to support processes such as imprint and replication, wafer cleaning, plasma etch, chemical vapor deposition, and metals deposition
- Drive technical prioritization across metrology and optical test activities to support efficient workflow, strong measurement coverage, and timely problem solving
- Support and optimize metrology platforms such as AFM, ellipsometry, interferometry, and related characterization equipment, as well as waveguide optical testers tied to key performance metrics including ANSI, MTF, and Transmission
- Analyze and interpret data from metrology and optical test tools, including identification of measurement error sources, tool variation, and tester-to-tester correlations
Operations and Compliance
- Drive metrology and optical test capability planning, tool implementation, and compliance support in partnership with Quality and cross-functional teams to support the company’s Quality Management System
What You’ll Bring
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related technical field
- 6+ years of experience in metrology, optical test, quality, or precision manufacturing, including strong hands-on experience with advanced materials and nanostructure characterization
- Deep technical expertise in metrology methods, measurement systems, uncertainty analysis, and statistical data analysis using tools such as JMP, Python, R, or Matlab
- Hands-on experience with characterization techniques such as SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, interferometry, XRD, EDX, uXRF, FTIR, DSC, and TGA
- Strong working knowledge of relevant quality and metrology standards such as ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, and MSA/GR&R methodologies
- Comfortable working in a cleanroom laboratory environment and able to operate effectively in fast-paced settings with evolving priorities
It’s exciting if you also have
- Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, Applied Physics, or a related technical discipline
- Experience in semiconductor, AR hardware, or other advanced manufacturing environments
- Six Sigma, CQE, or related quality/process certification
- Experience with LIMS, calibration management systems, or manufacturing systems integration
- Experience with scripting or data post-processing tools such as Python, R, JMP, or Matlab
Additional Information
All your information will be kept confidential according to Equal Employment Opportunities guidelines.
Please note that we do not accept any application documents via (e-)mail. Furthermore, we do not accept applications from recruitment agencies for this role.
All legitimate Magic Leap email communications will end with "@magicleap.com". Please carefully review all emails you receive, to ensure you only engage with legitimate representatives of Magic Leap. For the protection of your Personal Information, do not click any links, open any attachments, or further engage with any suspicious communications. In the event you receive an unexpected or suspicious communication claiming to come from Magic Leap, please reach out directly to TalentAcquisition@magicleap.com for assistance.
Accommodations
If you need an accommodation during the application, interviewing, or hiring process, you may request an accommodation by emailing ApplicantAccommodation@magicleap.com. Magic Leap will reasonably accommodate qualified individuals with disabilities to the extent required by applicable law.
Our salary ranges are determined by role, level and location. In addition to salary, Magic Leap offers a discretionary bonus and a fully comprehensive benefits package for eligible employees.
US Base Salary Range
$140,000—$155,000 USD
Key skills/competency
- Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer
- Metrology
- Optical Test
- Nanostructure Characterization
- Quality Systems
- Measurement
- Calibration
- Instrumentation
- ISO 9001
- ISO/IEC 17025
Skills & topics
- Metrology Engineer
- Optical Test Engineer
- AR Hardware
- Augmented Reality
- Nanofabrication
- Optics
- Manufacturing
- Quality Assurance
- Test Engineering
- Metrology
- Optical Testing
- Characterization
- ISO 9001
- ISO/IEC 17025
- GR&R
- SEM
- AFM
- Ellipsometry
- Interferometry
- JMP
- Python
- R
- Matlab
- Plantation
- Austin
- Magic Leap
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight experience in metrology, optical test, and nanostructure characterization relevant to AR. Quantify achievements.
- Craft a strong cover letter: Emphasize your technical leadership and cross-functional influence skills, aligning them with Magic Leap's mission.
- Prepare for technical interviews: Be ready to discuss advanced metrology tools, optical test methodologies, and quality standards like ISO 9001 and ISO/IEC 17025.
- Understand company culture: Research Magic Leap's AR innovations, team dynamics, and commitment to diversity. Showcase how you fit their values.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the salary range for the Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer role at Magic Leap?
- The US Base Salary Range for the Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer position at Magic Leap is $140,000—$155,000 USD annually, in addition to a discretionary bonus and comprehensive benefits.
- Does Magic Leap accept applications via email for the Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer position?
- No, Magic Leap explicitly states that they do not accept any application documents via (e-)mail for this role. Please use their official application portal.
- What are the required qualifications for the Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer role at Magic Leap?
- Candidates need a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering, Physics, or a related field, with 6+ years of experience in metrology, optical test, quality, or precision manufacturing. Deep technical expertise in metrology methods, measurement systems, and statistical analysis is also required.
- Is the Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer position at Magic Leap remote or on-site?
- This position requires being fully on-site in either Plantation, Florida or Austin, Texas. Remote work is not an option for this role.
- What kind of characterization techniques are important for the Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer role at Magic Leap?
- Hands-on experience with characterization techniques such as SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, interferometry, XRD, EDX, uXRF, FTIR, DSC, and TGA are highly valued for this role.
- How can I request an accommodation during the application process at Magic Leap?
- If you need an accommodation during the application, interviewing, or hiring process, you can request one by emailing ApplicantAccommodation@magicleap.com. Magic Leap will provide reasonable accommodations as required by law.
- What quality standards are relevant for the Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer role at Magic Leap?
- A strong working knowledge of relevant quality and metrology standards such as ISO 9001, ISO/IEC 17025, and MSA/GR&R methodologies is essential for this position.
- What are the primary responsibilities of the Staff Metrology & Optical Test Engineer at Magic Leap?
- The primary responsibilities include driving metrology and optical test approaches for Optics NPI and Manufacturing, leading technical problem-solving, defining and qualifying advanced test methods, and supporting metrology platforms like AFM, ellipsometry, and optical testers.
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