As a Software Engineer - Computational Physics at Metalenz, your main responsibilities include collaborating with the design team to integrate new developments into our Julia-based software toolkit, understanding and implementing new features, optimizing performance bottlenecks, and deploying code across various computing platforms. You will also play a crucial role in shaping the technical roadmap and contributing to documentation and code reviews.

To qualify for the Software Engineer - Computational Physics position at Metalenz, candidates should have an MS or PhD in Computer Science, Physics, Applied Physics, Applied Mathematics, or a relevant technical field. Additionally, experience with high-performance computing environments, particularly Julia, distributed computing, and AWS, along with a strong understanding of software engineering best practices, is essential for success in this role.

A Software Engineer - Computational Physics at Metalenz should be proficient in Julia, which is the primary language used for our design toolkit. Familiarity with other programming languages related to computational physics and software development will also be beneficial, particularly for integrating different tools and optimizing performance across our scientific compute platforms.

The work environment at Metalenz is collaborative and energetic, where creativity and innovation thrive. Team members enjoy a flexible work schedule with opportunities for hybrid or remote work arrangements. With an emphasis on collaboration, the office promotes interaction and teamwork, complete with complimentary snacks and the occasional lunch to foster connections among colleagues.

Metalenz offers a competitive salary, a 401k plan with company contributions, pre-IPO stock options, and a comprehensive benefits package, including company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance. Additional perks include contributions to Health Savings Accounts, access to an Employee Assistance Program, and amenities like on-site gym facilities and bike parking.

To optimize code for performance in a high-performance computing environment, it's essential to identify bottlenecks using profiling tools, refactor algorithms for computational efficiency, leverage parallel processing capabilities, and utilize appropriate data structures. Highlight your experience with optimizing Julia code and managing diverse compute platforms during the interview.

In your response, outline specific projects where you applied Julia to solve complex problems in computational physics. Discuss how you utilized Julia’s powerful libraries for numerical computing and any optimizations you implemented to enhance performance. This shows your capability in leveraging Julia effectively in real-world applications.

Share a specific example of a collaborative project, detailing your role, the challenges faced, and how you effectively communicated with the design team. This demonstrates your teamwork skills and ability to integrate diverse viewpoints into technical solutions.

Discuss the version control systems you have used, such as Git, and explain how you maintain clean commit histories, manage branches for features or fixes, and collaborate with others through pull requests. Emphasizing your adherence to best practices shows your professionalism and project management skills.

Start by explaining your systematic approach to debugging, which includes isolating the issue through testing, using debugging tools to trace errors, and employing logging for deeper insights. Mention any specific experiences where you successfully resolved complex bugs in scientific computing contexts.

Share your familiarity with AWS services, particularly those you have utilized for deploying applications. Discuss how you've set up instances, managed cloud resources, or ensured scalability in computational workloads, demonstrating practical knowledge of cloud deployment strategies.

Discuss your methods for professional development, such as following industry publications, participating in relevant online courses, or engaging with open-source communities. This illustrates your commitment to continuous learning and staying abreast of advancements in the field.

Provide a clear example where you navigated a conflict, focusing on communication, compromise, and problem-solving. Emphasizing your interpersonal skills and ability to resolve disputes amicably will present you as a team player which is vital in a collaborative setting like Metalenz.

Express your enthusiasm for Metalenz’s innovative work in the consumer electronics space and its application of metasurface technology. Highlight aspects of the company culture and projects that resonate with your personal values or career goals, showcasing a genuine interest in contributing to the team.

Frame your answer to reflect ambition and a desire for growth, linking it back to Metalenz. Discuss your goals of evolving in technical skills, contributing to significant projects, or taking on leadership roles, which illustrates your long-term commitment to the company.