Deep Optics Engineer

About the role

Glass Imaging is redefining mobile cameras by pairing neural image signal processing (ISP) with software-defined optics. Your work will directly influence how our ML models and optics translate into stunning real-world photos and videos.

In this role, you will drive the co-design of optics and computational imaging algorithms for next generation mobile cameras across multiple industries, including smartphones, drones, AR/VR glasses and emerging platforms. You will own both the physical and computational dimensions of imaging systems—from optical physics such as lens modeling, point spread function (PSF) and modulation transfer function (MTF) analysis, and imaging simulation, to developing differentiable forward models and solving inverse imaging problems through optimization, machine learning, and physically grounded differentiable models—and convert these advancements into measurable image quality improvements on various imaging devices. You will use your knowledge in optics and image science to enable the creation of new camera designs and imaging algorithms with capabilities that traditional means cannot typically achieve, and help deliver them as real-world camera modules in millions of consumer products. Join our dynamic and forward-thinking team to shape the future of camera technology.

Responsibilities

• Build end-to-end imaging simulation pipelines that model lenses, sensors, noise characteristics, and AI-based ISP modules
• Co-design optical systems and computational imaging algorithms to maximize end-to-end image quality, and train and optimize ML models that realize these designs.
• Innovate camera characterization methods and algorithmic techniques for emerging imaging modalities such as infrared, thermal, night, and more.
• Develop scalable learning based pipelines and tools for optical system characterization and sensor calibration. Integrate the results along with optics driven insights into ML model development and data acquisition processes through partnering with ML and hardware lab teams and building the necessary internal tooling.
• Analyze raw image data with image processing approaches (e.g., demosaicing, denoising, filtering) and diagnose the root causes of image quality issues.
• Research emerging lens designs and optical components, and prototype advanced optical systems paired with ML algorithms that enable next generation camera capabilities

Skills & Requirements

What makes you a good fit:

• Expertise in optical system design, imaging physics, imaging system architecture, including concepts such as point spread functions, aberrations, diffraction, wave optics, and geometric optics
• Hands-on laboratory experience in designing, building and debugging new optical imaging system prototypes
• Strong foundation in computational imaging, with knowledge across optics, color science, image quality assessment, differentiable forward imaging models, and inverse imaging problems such as image restoration, super-resolution, depth estimation, etc.
• Solid foundation in mathematics, including linear algebra, optimization, and signal processing.
• Comprehensive knowledge of the machine learning development pipeline—from data collection and preparation to model training, tuning, and evaluation—using platforms such as PyTorch.
• Proficiency in Python programming and experience developing, maintaining, or contributing to production-grade code repositories
• Demonstrated ability to stay at the forefront of computational imaging and optical physics research.
• Publication record in respected technical venues such as Optica, SPIE, IEEE, ICCP, CVPR, or ICCV
• MSc degree in Optics, Imaging Science, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field with 3 or more years of relevant industry experience, or a PhD in a related technical discipline

Nice-to-haves:

• Experience with optical design and simulation tools (Zemax, CODE V, etc.) and ray tracing based modeling of complex lens systems, including aberration analysis, wave optics effects, and tolerance driven design optimization
• Familiarity with Fourier optics, adaptive optics, including both theoretical foundations and hands-on implementation.
• Experience modeling real sensor behavior, including noise models, gain stages, rolling shutter, or spectral characteristics
• Background in ISP development, covering modules such as demosaicing, white balancing, noise reduction, tone mapping, sharpening, and color correction
• Hands-on experience with camera characterization and calibration, including PSF/MTF measurement, sensor noise profiling, color and geometric calibration
• Experience with advanced deep learning architectures for image restoration, enhancement, and HDR imaging
• Experience with image rendering approaches and platforms used in modern camera or graphics systems, including real time rasterization, ray tracing, and APIs such as Vulkan, Metal, DirectX, or OpenGL or differentiable rendering frameworks (e.g., Mitsuba, NVIDIA Kaolin)
• Experience writing production quality software, including version control workflows (git, pull requests, code reviews, etc.)
• Experience building imaging oriented MLOps or experimentation pipelines for rapid iteration and deployment

Location & Travel

We are primarily hiring for positions in our SF Bay Area, CA (primarily in-person) office but may consider other arrangements for outstanding circumstances.

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive pay
• Stock options
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance
• 401(k)
• Company Paid Cal-Train Go Pass

Visa Sponsorship

We’re happy to sponsor visas, though success depends on the role and individual circumstances. If we offer you the job, we’ll do everything we reasonably can to secure a visa, with the help of an immigration lawyer to guide the process.

About GLASS Imaging

Our mission is to bring professional-level image quality to everyone by making cutting-edge image processing accessible to all devices—from smartphones and XR devices to infrastructure maintenance and security applications. We believe that AI-driven processing can extract every ounce of image quality from any camera, making capturing better pictures with any camera easier for everyone.

But we aren’t just enhancing how images are processed; we’re revolutionizing how they’re captured, redefining the core principles of camera design and reimagining how lenses, sensors, and AI-driven processing work together. We’re fundamentally changing how cameras operate to unlock unprecedented levels of performance and image quality.

Founded by former Apple engineers behind Portrait Mode and other groundbreaking iPhone camera features, we’re a team of passionate and experienced engineers pushing the boundaries of photography. Join us in shaping the future of camera technology!

Equal Opportunity & Diversity Statement

Glass Imaging is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We celebrate differences and do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status. We encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.