Staff Nanofabrication Research Engineer

A new paradigm of computing

Magic Leap is a pioneer in spatial computing, developing groundbreaking augmented reality technology that seamlessly blends digital content with the real world. As the creator of the next computing platform, our mixed reality devices unlock new possibilities for how people interact with and experience their surroundings. 

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 and amplify human potential at the intersection of the physical and digital worlds. 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 

Magic Leap is seeking an experimental physicist or research engineer with expertise in nanoimprint lithography (NIL) to join our Waveguide Display R&D group. In this role, you will collaborate with multifunctional teams—spanning optical design, NIL equipment, materials, and process development—to pioneer cutting-edge nanofabrication processes for advanced waveguide devices. Your work will directly contribute to achieving market-leading optical performance and scalable mass manufacturing. This position offers a unique opportunity to shape the early-stage development of optical components for next-generation AR/MR devices.

This role requires someone to be onsite in Austin, TX. Relocation assistance may be available.

What you’ll do 

• Master the state-of-the-art NIL process, including imprint hardware, UV-curable polymer materials delivery systems, and inkjet dispense recipes to deliver next-generation waveguide display devices for R&D prototyping and production.
• Collaborate with multi-functional teams to develop and optimize NIL dispense patterns that accurately transfer optical designs into imprints for optical applications and process integrations.
• Utilize CAD software to design NIL mold layouts and define dispense patterns for inkjet recipe creation, ensuring alignment with optical and process requirements.
• Develop specific dispense drop patterns using in-house software for complex mold designs, incorporating flow dynamics for quality and longevity in the imprint process.
• Modify basic algorithms within in-house drop pattern generation software to support NIL imprint requests for advanced waveguide designs and architectures.
• Investigate and resolve root causes of imprint defects and failure modes by providing innovative solutions to improve quality, throughput, and optical performance.
• Troubleshoot waveguide optical performance and downstream process failures by designing effective imprint process solutions, including optimized dispense drop patterns.
• Document dispense drop pattern designs, imprint recipes, and processes for accurate record-keeping and production transfer.
• Support NIL mold/template design efforts to ensure compatibility with NIL processes and downstream applications.
• Evaluate and implement new NIL materials, conducting and reporting on imprint longevity studies to improve process durability.
• Innovate and optimize proprietary NIL processes for high-resolution geometric nanostructures over large areas, ensuring high-quality and longevity.
• Communicate actively with optical, metrology, mechanical, and other interdisciplinary teams to align NIL processes with current and new product architectures.
• Demonstrate excellent judgment and proactive decision-making to address critical observations and meet project and product deadlines.
• Design experiments, execute them effectively, evaluate metrology results, and prepare reports to guide design and process decisions.
• Collaborate with Applications and Software teams to transfer and scale development work into high-volume, manufacturing-ready processes.

The experience you bring

• Master’s degree in physics, optics, electrical engineering, material science, or a related field, with 7-8 years of professional experience in relevant industries.
• Demonstrated familiarity and experience with the photolithography process.
• Experience with nanoimprint lithography (NIL) processes.
• Practical experience in micro/nanostructure patterning for fabricating functional devices using organic and inorganic materials and industry-standard process tools (e.g., advanced photolithography and dry etch tools).
• Basic computer science principles and coding skills (object-oriented programming). Coding experience in languages such as Python and MATLAB is a strong plus.
• Familiarity with optimization algorithms (e.g., gradient descent) and geometric data processing. Experience with machine learning (e.g., introductory courses or Python-based ML toolkits) is a plus.
• Proficiency in computer-aided design (CAD) software (e.g., AutoCAD, SolidWorks, DraftSight).
• Knowledge and hands-on experience with nanostructure characterization methods, including optical microscopy, SEM, AFM, XPS, and ellipsometry.

It’s exciting if you also have

• Ph.D. in physics, optics, electrical engineering, material science, or a related field with at least 3 years of industrial experience.
• Expertise in diffractive waveguide optics for AR/MR display applications.
• Proficiency in nanostructure optical design and modeling tools.
• Familiarity with nanofabrication processes, such as thin-film deposition, wet etching, and dry etching.
• Knowledge in semiconductor materials, crystallography, or solid-state physics.
• Experience with statistical analysis for quality control (QC) and process optimization.
• Hands-on experience scaling up materials and processes from lab-scale to production environments.
• Familiarity with AR/MR device integration and testing workflows
• Experience with advanced programming or data science applications in fabrication process analysis is highly desirable.

Additional Information

All your information will be kept confidential according to Equal Employment Opportunities guidelines

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.

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.

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