Optical Engineer Graduate (Pico)- 2026 Start- (PHD)

ByteDance

ByteDance

San Jose, CA, USA
USD 118k-259k / year + Equity
Posted on Aug 7, 2025
Optical Engineer Graduate (Pico)- 2026 Start- (PHD)
San Jose Regular R&D PhD Graduates- 2026 Start Job ID: A111423
Responsibilities
About Team: As a world-renowned VR/AR brand with independent innovation and R&D capabilities, Pico has been at the forefront of the consumer electronic market. We are looking for creative and passionate optical engineer interns to join us build our AR/VR display optics system team. You will be working with top-notch engineers and scientists to explore and define the frontier of technology for the future of AR/VR. We are looking for talented individuals to join our team in 2026. As a graduate, you will get opportunities to pursue bold ideas, tackle complex challenges, and unlock limitless growth. Launch your career where inspiration is infinite at ByteDance. Successful candidates must be able to commit to an onboarding date by end of year 2026. Please state your availability and graduation date clearly in your resume Responsibilities - Develop display optics systems for AR/VR applications - Develop optical design and simulation software for AR/VR display optics systems - Build innovative display optics system prototypes - Develop optical system prototypes (bench-top and head-mounted) to inform design and manufacturing decisions - Work closely across optics, mechanics, perceptual scientists, and other cross-functional teams to define, develop, simulate, and realize a variety of optical systems - Communicate design and development progress across collaboration teams
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications - Ph.D. student or postdoc in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related technical discipline or equivalent experience. - Knowledge and experience in at least one of the following: Imaging optics design, ray-tracking algorithm, electromagnetic simulation, stray light molding and analysis, image quality evaluation, polarization, visual optics, or optical testing and metrology. - Knowledge and experience in programming languages such as Python, C++. Preferred Qualifications - 1+ years of relevant research or industry experience (including internships or academic projects) - Exposure to fast-paced or startup-like environments (e.g., through collaborative research, internships, or product development). - Experience in at least one of the following: Image quality evaluation, Stray light molding and analysis, Camera module or lens testing and characterization, Imaging optics design and manufacturing, Illumination optics design and manufacturing, Display/backlight design and development, Polarization, Visual Optics, or Optical testing and metrology.
Job Information
【For Pay Transparency】Compensation Description (Annually)

The base salary range for this position in the selected city is $118000 - $259000 annually.

Compensation may vary outside of this range depending on a number of factors, including a candidate’s qualifications, skills, competencies and experience, and location. Base pay is one part of the Total Package that is provided to compensate and recognize employees for their work, and this role may be eligible for additional discretionary bonuses/incentives, and restricted stock units.

Benefits may vary depending on the nature of employment and the country work location. Employees have day one access to medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) savings plan with company match, paid parental leave, short-term and long-term disability coverage, life insurance, wellbeing benefits, among others. Employees also receive 10 paid holidays per year, 10 paid sick days per year and 17 days of Paid Personal Time (prorated upon hire with increasing accruals by tenure).

The Company reserves the right to modify or change these benefits programs at any time, with or without notice.

For Los Angeles County (unincorporated) Candidates:

Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act. Our company believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship on the following job duties, potentially resulting in the withdrawal of the conditional offer of employment:

1. Interacting and occasionally having unsupervised contact with internal/external clients and/or colleagues;

2. Appropriately handling and managing confidential information including proprietary and trade secret information and access to information technology systems; and

3. Exercising sound judgment.

About Us

Founded in 2012, ByteDance's mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. With a suite of more than a dozen products, including TikTok, Lemon8, CapCut and Pico as well as platforms specific to the China market, including Toutiao, Douyin, and Xigua, ByteDance has made it easier and more fun for people to connect with, consume, and create content.

Why Join ByteDance

Inspiring creativity is at the core of ByteDance's mission. Our innovative products are built to help people authentically express themselves, discover and connect – and our global, diverse teams make that possible. Together, we create value for our communities, inspire creativity and enrich life - a mission we work towards every day.

As ByteDancers, we strive to do great things with great people. We lead with curiosity, humility, and a desire to make impact in a rapidly growing tech company. By constantly iterating and fostering an "Always Day 1" mindset, we achieve meaningful breakthroughs for ourselves, our Company, and our users. When we create and grow together, the possibilities are limitless. Join us.

Diversity & Inclusion

ByteDance is committed to creating an inclusive space where employees are valued for their skills, experiences, and unique perspectives. Our platform connects people from across the globe and so does our workplace. At ByteDance, our mission is to inspire creativity and enrich life. To achieve that goal, we are committed to celebrating our diverse voices and to creating an environment that reflects the many communities we reach. We are passionate about this and hope you are too.

Reasonable Accommodation

ByteDance is committed to providing reasonable accommodations in our recruitment processes for candidates with disabilities, pregnancy, sincerely held religious beliefs or other reasons protected by applicable laws. If you need assistance or a reasonable accommodation, please reach out to us at https://tinyurl.com/RA-request

Share to