Summary:
Reality Labs is looking for an Engineering Manager to lead our Data Systems Hardware & Operations team. This team supports Codec Avatars, Input, and Health programs across all RL devices.You'll manage a multi-disciplinary engineering team (mechanical, electrical, systems engineering, and firmware/embedded software) that designs, builds, and tests complex, large-scale data capture systems: multi-camera rigs with sophisticated lighting, synchronization, high-bandwidth data capture, and storage infrastructure. You'll also own the data collection operations that deploy these systems across North America, enabling the algorithm development and research that powers all of our devices.In this role, you will combine hands-on technical work with people leadership. You'll get hands-on with critical hardware challenges, represent and advocate for the hardware engineering craft, and develop the overall data collection strategy with program leaders and stakeholders. That means translating product and research roadmaps into collection plans, defining system requirements, and making sure operational capacity keeps up with program needs.You will coordinate across researchers, engineers, and operations teams, determining project priority, feasibility, and resource allocation across programs with competing timelines.
Required Skills:
Engineering Manager, Data Systems Hardware & Operations Responsibilities:
Lead and develop the hardware, electrical, and embedded software engineering craft for complex data capture systems across multiple RL programs
Own the design and evolution of large-scale capture rigs, including multi-camera arrays, structured lighting systems, hardware synchronization, high-bandwidth data pipelines, and on-site storage infrastructure
Manage a team of mechanical, electrical, and firmware engineers
mentor, grow, and develop leaders and individual contributors
Represent and advocate for the hardware engineering craft by developing the right culture, processes, and people to accomplish the team's work
Own the team's systems for designing, simulating, prototyping, and testing capture hardware
Drive architecture and design reviews for hardware and firmware across device programs
Provide individual technical contributions by implementing electro-mechanical and firmware solutions on critical projects
Recruit engineering talent for open roles on the team
Develop the overall data collection strategy with program leaders and stakeholders across Codec Avatars, Input, and Health
Translate research roadmaps into collection plans: system requirements, site needs, and operational capacity targets
Own the operational capacity of data collection sites across North America, including planning, deployment, and sustained operations
Build and manage site operations teams (technicians, coordinators, contingent workers) executing capture protocols
Drive vendor and partner engagement to scale collection efforts
Manage hardware inventory, logistics, maintenance, and equipment standards across distributed sites
Define and implement operational processes including privacy/data compliance and participant safety
Manage operational budgets and resource allocation across programs
Serve as liaison between researchers, engineering, operations, and software teams across programs
Coordinate complex projects with key partners, managing team allocation, schedules, milestones, and delivery
Influence leaders and key partners to gain alignment, build virtual teams, and accomplish cross-team goals
Drive operational improvements through measurement, feedback loops, and continuous iteration
Balance priorities across Codec Avatars, Input, and Health programs with competing timelines and resource needs
Minimum Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
BS or higher in Mechanical, Electrical, or Systems Engineering (or equivalent experience)
12+ years experience as a hardware engineer working across one or more of: electrical, mechanical, systems engineering, and embedded software or a similar domain
5+ years of experience as a people manager with a track record in recruiting and developing teams
Direct experience shipping consumer hardware or working in technology R&D organizations
Demonstrated expertise with complex data capture systems, including multi-camera rigs, lighting systems, hardware synchronization, and high-bandwidth data pipelines
Experience with compute platform selection, system architecture, and integration for data capture or similar technical systems
Experience operating or managing multi-site technical operations (labs, data collection, manufacturing, or similar)
Experience leading design development from schematic capture, PCB layout through assembly
Preferred Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with AR/VR systems and motion capture systems
Experience working with CM and EMS partners in design, manufacture, testing, and delivery of hardware solutions
Experience in developing data collection or research operations strategies across multiple sites and programs
Experience with embedded computing and wearable devices
Background in health/medical devices, input devices, or biometric sensing systems
Experience with digital circuit design and communications protocols (I2C, UART, SPI, USB, MIPI, I2S)
Experience with camera systems, structured/controlled lighting, time synchronization (PTP/genlock), and high-speed data ingest/storage architectures
Experience managing distributed teams and vendor partnerships across multiple geographies
Experience with 3D design modeling (NX or SolidWorks) and physical prototyping
Experience with high-bandwidth data transport (10 Gb/s/25 Gb/s/100 Gb/s Ethernet, PCIe, NVMe, high-speed serial interfaces)
Experience with privacy and data compliance protocols for participant studies
Public Compensation:
$208,000/year to $289,000/year + bonus + equity + benefits
Industry: Internet
Equal Opportunity:
Meta is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We do not discriminate based upon race, religion, color, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, sexual stereo@types, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. Meta participates in the E-Verify program in certain locations, as required by law. Please note that Meta may leverage artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies in connection with applications for employment.
Meta is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities in our recruiting process. If you need any assistance or accommodations due to a disability, please let us know at accommodations-ext@meta.com.
