About the role#
As an Optical Engineering Intern on the Camera & Depth Sensors team, you will contribute to the development of camera lenses, depth optics, cover windows, and light pipes for AR, VR, and AI glasses. You will own a technical project from start to finish, including modeling, analysis, validation, and final presentation. You will work with an intern manager and a technical mentor to see how optical engineering decisions translate into consumer hardware.
What you'll do#
- Build and run sequential and non-sequential optical simulations to evaluate component performance.
- Analyze metrics like MTF, stray light, distortion, and surface scatter to quantify design trade-offs.
- Create analysis scripts in Python or MATLAB to automate simulation workflows and process large datasets.
- Support lab characterization of optical components, including measurement setup and data collection.
- Correlate measured laboratory results against your simulation predictions.
- Document your methods and findings to present to cross-functional engineering partners.
What you'll need#
- Coursework or project experience in geometrical and physical optics, imaging, or radiometry.
- Experience with optical design or analysis tools such as Zemax, CODE V, LightTools, or FRED.
- Programming and data analysis skills in Python or MATLAB.
- Intent to return to a full-time degree program after the internship.
- Ability to maintain work authorization in the United States for the duration of the role.
- Exposure to imaging systems, illumination design, stray light analysis, or computational imaging is helpful.
- Hands-on experience with lab instrumentation like spectrometers, interferometers, scatterometers, or MTF test benches is a plus.
- Familiarity with optical materials, thin-film coatings, or injection-molded components.
Location & details#
- This is a 12-week, full-time, paid internship based on-site in Sunnyvale, California.
- The role is open to students currently pursuing degrees in Physics, Computer Engineering, or Electrical Engineering.
About Meta
Meta develops software and social media applications. It operates platforms such as Facebook, Messenger, Instagram, and WhatsApp. The company maintains headquarters in Menlo Park, California. Current work focuses on augmented and virtual reality alongside artificial intelligence and machine learning.
How to get in at Meta
Landing an internship at Meta requires a proactive approach to the application process. Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a role matching your target is published, allowing you to apply among the first. Early applicants often have their materials reviewed before the applicant pool grows significantly. You can use Intern Insider to surface the recruiters behind specific roles at Meta. Reaching out directly to these individuals to ask about the position or a referral often improves your response rates compared to applying into a queue.
