Principal/Senior Camera Systems Innovation Engineer

About the Role Huawei’s Camera Innovation Lab in Tampere is looking for a Principal/Senior Camera Systems Innovation Engineer to drive the next generation of mobile imaging technologies. In this role, you will lead system-level innovation in smartphone camera hardware, with a particular focus on camera modules, optical technologies, and emerging imaging solutions. You will work at the intersection of advanced research and product-oriented innovation, collaborating with internal R&D teams, leading universities, technology partners, and industry experts. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced imaging professional who wants to shape future mobile camera systems and transform innovative concepts into technologies with real-world impact. Key Responsibilities • Drive system-level innovation for next-generation smartphone camera hardware. • Explore emerging technologies and identify new opportunities in camera modules, optical systems, and mobile imaging architectures. • Develop innovative imaging concepts and evaluate their technical feasibility, system value, and potential product impact. • Lead or contribute to camera innovation projects from early-stage research and concept definition through prototyping and validation. • Collaborate closely with multidisciplinary R&D teams, including optics, actuators, camera modules, imaging algorithms (AI & non AI), sensors, mechanics, and system engineering. • Build and manage research collaborations with universities, academic institutions, technology partners, and industry organizations. • Monitor technology trends across the mobile imaging ecosystem and translate new developments into actionable research directions. • Provide technical insight and system-level guidance for strategic camera technology planning. Required Qualifications • Master’s or PhD degree in Optical Engineering, Photonics, Imaging Science, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field. • Minimum 3–5 years of relevant industry experience in smartphone cameras, camera modules, imaging optics, or consumer imaging systems. • Strong understanding of camera system architecture and the interaction between optics, image sensors, actuators, mechanics, electronics, ISP, and imaging algorithms. • Experience developing or evaluating camera technologies from early-stage concept and feasibility analysis through prototyping and validation. • Ability to make system-level trade-offs across image quality, module size, power consumption, reliability, cost, and manufacturability. • Strong innovation, problem-solving, collaboration, and technical communication skills, with professional proficiency in English. It is a plus to have: • Hands-on expertise in one or more areas such as camera module architecture, imaging optics, optomechanical design, sensor integration, AF/OIS, or camera performance characterization. • Experience with smartphone camera systems or other miniaturized imaging products. • Experience using optical design and simulation tools such as Zemax, Code V or similar. • Experience in building camera demonstrator systems with novel camera hardware and developing software for control and image processing pipeline. • Experience working with universities, research institutes, suppliers, or industry partners; patents, publications, prototypes, or productized innovations are considered an advantage. Contract Type: This is a full-time permanent employee position. We expect you to start as soon as possible and job will be filled as soon as suitable candidate has found. Location: On-site in Tampere, Finland. Why Join Us? Innovative Work: You’ll be working with the cutting-edge technology and creating innovative imaging solutions in hardware, Image processing, computer vision, color, and imaging system performance. Strong R&D and Collaboration: We have strong R&D capabilities and own multiple high-end testing devices. We are actively collaborating with universities and research institutions. Diverse Perks and Benefits: You'll enjoy access to occupational healthcare, culture and sports benefits, team-building events and celebrations, employee recognition through awards and gifts, and daily office breakfasts and snacks. Growth Opportunities: We have accomplished PhDs and researchers, creating an environment where you can collaborate, exchange ideas, and learn from each other while advancing your professional skills and career. Multicultural Team Environment: We are a team of multinational background, creating a unique working environment for developing imaging technologies.