Staff Waveguide Materials Scientist

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’s Hardware Engineering roles are responsible for designing, developing, and testing our AR hardware products to meet external customer and enterprise market requirements, including a) Conducting requirements analysis and high-level design/modeling to convert customer needs into AR hardware solutions, b) Designing and specifying the overall hardware structure, core elements, and properties by analyzing the hardware requirements, constraints, interfaces, and dependencies, and c) Planning and hardware-software integration testing, performing analysis of test results, and tracking/reporting risk levels during test execution.

The Staff Waveguide Materials Scientist will work in the Waveguide Materials R&D group to innovate and lead R&D of inorganic and organic optical waveguide materials and technologies. This includes driving co-development with suppliers in addition to characterization and metrology methods development. This position requires working in a clean-room environment.

Location: This position requires being fully on-site at our Austin, TX facility, to ensure seamless collaboration and hands-on support for daily operations. Relocation assistance is available for non-local candidates.

What you’ll do 

• Spearhead innovation and lead R&D efforts in the composition, forming/finishing, integration, and characterization of materials used in optical waveguides.
• Define and develop advanced metrology techniques to deepen the fundamental understanding of waveguide materials and device performance.
• Integrate expertise in materials science, processing, and characterization with strategic business insight to deliver scalable, manufacturable solutions that support successful product commercialization.
• Build and execute long-term roadmaps in collaboration with material suppliers to align development efforts with business and technology goals.

The experience you bring

• Ph.D. in Materials Science, Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics, or a closely related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of hands-on experience in advanced materials characterization techniques, including SEM, AFM, ellipsometry, interferometry, XRD, EDX, FTIR, DSC, and TGA.
• Proven expertise in material formulation and processing across a range of materials, including glass, polymers, ceramics, and single crystals.
• Strong experience with forming and finishing methods such as polishing, molding, and replication.
• Deep understanding of wafer specifications and associated handling requirements.
• Data-driven problem-solver with the ability to develop and execute engineering test plans; proficiency in programming tools such as Python or MATLAB is required.
• Demonstrated ability to leverage scientific literature and research to drive hypotheses and develop solutions focused on processing–structure–property relationships.
• Strong research credentials, including peer-reviewed publications and/or issued patents.
• Collaborative team player with excellent interpersonal, organizational, and communication skills.
• Capable of producing clear, concise technical documentation and presentations, and building effective partnerships across teams and with external suppliers.

It’s exciting if you also have

• Working knowledge of tools such as JMP (statistical analysis), Creo (mechanical design), or Zemax (optical design).
• Experience building and managing technical relationships with material vendors.
• Demonstrated ability to perform effectively in fast-paced environments and under tight deadlines.

Additional Requirements

• Must be comfortable working in a cleanroom laboratory environment, adhering to all safety and contamination control protocols.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 10–20% for supplier visits, technical collaborations, or conference participation.

Additional Information

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

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.

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.

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.

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