Human Vision Engineer, Optical Metrology & Vision Science

Amazon • Sunnyvale, CA

5d

About The Position

We're looking for a Applied Vision Scientist with a background in display optics
to join our Optical Metrology & Vision Science team. You'll apply deep expertise
in human visual perception to guide the design, evaluation, and optimization of
next-generation display systems and visual experiences across Amazon's device
portfolio.

You'll work at the intersection of vision science, computational modeling,
display engineering, and user experience, translating psychophysical principles
into measurable engineering specifications that ship in products used by
millions.

Requirements

• Experience communicating with customers, technical, regulatory, business teams, and management to collect requirements, describe product features, and technical designs
• Bachelors in Vision Science, Visual Neuroscience, Perceptual Psychology, Optical Engineering, Color Science, or closely related field
• Experience developing computational models and simulations of visual perception, including end-to-end display pipeline modeling (source content → display optics → human visual system)
• Demonstrated expertise designing and analyzing psychophysical experiments, with strong verbal and written communication skills to report technical findings and product requirements.
• Strong foundation in color science and colorimetry (CIE systems, color appearance models, chromatic adaptation)
• Proficiency in MATLAB, Python, C++, or equivalent for stimulus generation, data analysis, and computational modeling.
• Experience with image quality models (S-CIELAB, SSIM, HDR-VDP, iCAM), [ and add familiarity with optics terms like MTF, PSF, etc]
• Knowledge of display technologies (e.g. LCD, OLED, E Ink, AR/VR) and their perceptual trade-offs.

Nice To Haves

• M.S. or Ph.D. in Vision Science, Visual Neuroscience, Perceptual Psychology, Optical Engineering, Color Science, or closely related field
• 1+ years of applied industry research in human visual perception.
• Experience with display characterization (spectroradiometry, BRDF measurement, temporal response measurement)
• Background in computer graphics and display rendering algorithms, including tone mapping, gamut mapping, subpixel rendering, temporal dithering, and local dimming, with the ability to evaluate their perceptual impact and recommend optimization strategies
• Experience leveraging machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, scikit-learn) for perceptual modeling tasks.
• Proficiency with optical design and simulation tools (e.g., Zemax OpticStudio, LightTools, FRED, TracePro) for modeling display optical paths, stray light analysis, luminance/color uniformity prediction, or evaluating the perceptual impact of optical system design choices.
• Speak, write, and read fluently in English

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply computational models of human vision (contrast sensitivity, color appearance, temporal perception, spatial acuity) to inform display hardware and software decisions
• Collaborate with display hardware engineers to optimize technology selection, product architecture, and negotiate system-level trade-offs
• Design and execute rigorous psychophysical experiments to quantify image and display quality across viewing conditions; collaborating with optical metrology engineers to define and validate the perceptual correlation of objective metrics
• Build and maintain lab infrastructure for controlled visual experiments (calibrated displays, spectroradiometers, eye-tracking systems, controlled ambient environments)
• Analyze experimental data using advanced statistical methods (signal detection theory, Bayesian inference, mixed-effects models, ANOVA)
• Develop and validate perceptual simulation pipelines that predict visual appearance under varying display configurations, ambient conditions, and optical system parameters, enabling rapid virtual prototyping and reducing dependence on physical hardware iterations

Benefits

• health insurance (medical, dental, vision, prescription, Basic Life & AD&D insurance and option for Supplemental life plans, EAP, Mental Health Support, Medical Advice Line, Flexible Spending Accounts, Adoption and Surrogacy Reimbursement coverage)
• 401(k) matching
• paid time off
• parental leave

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level