Optical Hardware Engineer

1 Month ago • 4 Years + • $147,000 PA - $216,000 PA

Job Summary

Job Description

This Optical Hardware Engineer role at Google focuses on designing, developing, characterizing, and integrating advanced optical coatings and active dimming solutions. Responsibilities include designing complex multilayer thin-film optical coatings (AR coatings, hard coatings, polarization beam splitters), partnering with engineers and manufacturers to optimize deposition processes (PVD, IAD, ALD), investigating and integrating active dimming technologies (electrochromic, liquid crystal, photochromic), performing optical measurements and reliability testing, and collaborating with other engineering teams for product integration. The ideal candidate will have experience with anti-reflection coatings for visible spectrum applications and a strong understanding of optical coating processes and materials.

Must have:

Design and simulate optical coatings
Optimize thin-film deposition processes
Integrate active dimming technologies
Perform optical measurements and testing
Collaborate with cross-functional teams

Good to have:

Master's or PhD in related field
Experience with SPC and yield analysis
Experience with external vendors
Understanding of variable transmission technologies
Knowledge of substrate materials

Perks:

Bonus
Equity
Benefits

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2 skills required for this role

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Job Details

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or a specialized field (e.g., Optics, Sensors, Audio/DSP, etc.), or equivalent practical experience.
4 years of experience in designing and implementing anti-reflection coatings for visible spectrum applications on glass or polymer substrates.

Preferred qualifications:

Master's degree or PhD in Optical Engineering, Physics or a related field.
Experience with statistical process control (SPC) and yield analysis.
Experience working with external vendors and contract manufacturers.
Experience with volume manufacturing processes for optical coatings and components.
Understanding of variable transmission technologies (electrochromics, liquid crystals, photochromics, etc.).
Knowledge of substrate materials (glass, plastics) and their properties relevant to coatings.

About the job

This role will concentrate on the design, development, characterization, and integration of advanced optical coatings and active dimming solutions for optical components. You will play a crucial role in optimizing visual performance, ambient light management, and overall user experience for our products. Coating design, process development and vendor management is part of the job.

Google's mission is to organize the world's information and make it universally accessible and useful. Our Devices & Services team combines the best of Google AI, Software, and Hardware to create radically helpful experiences for users. We research, design, and develop new technologies and hardware to make our user's interaction with computing faster, seamless, and more powerful. Whether finding new ways to capture and sense the world around us, advancing form factors, or improving interaction methods, the Devices & Services team is making people's lives better through technology.

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 .

Responsibilities

Design, model (using software like TFCalc, OptiLayer, Essential Macleod, etc.), and simulate complex multilayer thin-film optical coatings, with a strong emphasis on anti-reflection (AR) coatings, hard coatings and potentially coatings for polarization beam splitter etc.
Partner with process engineers and manufacturing partners to develop, optimize, and troubleshoot thin-film deposition processes (e.g., PVD, IAD, ALD) to achieve desired optical performance, durability, and yield.
Investigate, characterize, and integrate active dimming technologies (e.g., electrochromic, liquid crystal, photochromic) into optical systems. Analyze performance parameters like switching speed, contrast ratio, haze, color shift, and power consumption.
Define, specify, and perform optical measurements (spectrophotometry, ellipsometry, haze, colorimetry) and reliability testing (environmental, adhesion, abrasion) for coatings and dimmable elements. Analyze data and iterate on designs.
Collaborate with ID, mechanical, electrical, and systems engineers to integrate coated and dimmable optics into final optical products.