Job Description

At Facebook Reality Labs Research (FRL Research), we have built a world class team of researchers and engineers, working together across a broad range of disciplines from machine perception and artificial intelligence to operating systems and hardware. The Surreal team at FRL Research is seeking an exceptional Research Director that can accelerate our mission to build a new class of spatial and contextualized AI that will transform not only AR and VR products of the future but also lay the foundations for a new computing paradigm that is built from the ground to understand the physical world. We’re seeking an experienced Research Director to drive advancing from applied research through to product innovation in machine perception and artificial intelligence, managing a team of world class researchers and engineers.

Director, Applied AI Research Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead AR/VR or relevant technology development projects that break new ground and define categories at the intersection of spatial and contextualized AI algorithms, hardware and software co-design.
• Being able to distill information out of complex systems and communicate in a very brief form that captures the most important aspect of a system. Therefore helping the collaborating team to integrate the technology.
• Day-to-day decision making and leadership including both the science/engineering elements and driving the research to incubation process toward long range product impact.
• Perform risk mitigation analysis, critical path determination and change management on projects throughout their life including but not limited to research portfolio management, engineering assessments, design reviews, partner team/project focus, execution, budget, intellectual property management among others.
• Create and drive opportunities for taking research to product with partners.
• Leadership and oversight through all phases of the project up to technology transfer to product: identification/quantification/analysis of opportunity, research and incubation, planning of timelines, budget, partners, hiring, project execution, and preparation for productization.
• Communicate strategy, project objectives and reasoning to broad audiences across the scientific, engineering and executive leadership, managing partner engagement and building future opportunities.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Leadership experience driving high risk, high reward projects scientifically, including managing high-performing R&D teams, communicating at an executive level, seeking and hiring world class talent, working through extended project management teams to manage contracts, IP, etc.
• Having broad knowledge in the domain of LLM and 3D perception. Having the fundamental knowledge that will allow them to personally study into any new tech and form an opinion.
• Ph.D. in scientific or engineering discipline or equivalent experience.
• 5+ years of experience leading teams and/or in scientific/engineering product development.
• Experience in leading time bound and multi-partner initiatives.
  
  

About Meta:

Meta builds technologies that help people connect, find communities, and grow businesses. When Facebook launched in 2004, it changed the way people connect. Apps like Messenger, Instagram and WhatsApp further empowered billions around the world. Now, Meta is moving beyond 2D screens toward immersive experiences like augmented and virtual reality to help build the next evolution in social technology. People who choose to build their careers by building with us at Meta help shape a future that will take us beyond what digital connection makes possible today—beyond the constraints of screens, the limits of distance, and even the rules of physics.

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 stereotypes, 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@fb.com.