AR/VR Design Validation Engineer

Apple Inc.; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area, CA, seeks an optical engineer to translate next‑generation display tech into validated reality.

You will own end‑to‑end optical models, validate them against real hardware, and drive rigorous design-to-performance validation across engineering builds and experiments. You will shape validation methodologies, lead cross‑functional teams, and communicate findings to product design, manufacturing, and integration groups.

Qualifications

• You have a BS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field with 3+ years of experience.
• You have demonstrated correlation of optical simulations with measured hardware performance.
• You are proficient with optical simulation tools (LightTools, FDTD, RCWA, Zemax, Code V, etc).

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design validation for next-generation optical display components.
• Develop and validate optical simulation capabilities and close the simulation‑measurement feedback loop.
• Define characterization pipelines, build plans, and data architecture for validation.
• Develop performance specifications to ensure high-volume manufacturing success.
• Drive failure mode analysis and root-cause diagnosis across optical components.
• Analyze results, produce reports, and communicate findings to cross-functional teams.

Skills

BS in Optical Engineering, Electrical/

Education

Bachelor's or higher in Optical/ Electrical Physics

Tools

LightTools

FDTD

RCWA

Zemax

Code V

Job description

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Hardware

Apple is seeking an optical engineer with a passion for translating next-generation display technologies to reality. You will bridge design, testing, and manufacturing by validating that our optical simulation models accurately predict real-world performance.

Description

You will own the end-to-end optical models that validate measured module performance, continuously improving design iteration accuracy and enabling predictive performance capability. This role balances optical simulation pipeline development with hands‑on responsibility for defining engineering builds, designing experiments, conducting failure mode analysis, and translating technical findings into actionable design guidance. You are expected to establish new validation methodologies and shape technical direction across the organization, requiring deep optical expertise paired with strong cross‑functional leadership skills. The ideal candidate operates independently, maintains rigorous attention to detail, and drives results through excellent communication and presentation abilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end design validation for next-generation optical display components
• Own the development and validation of optical simulation capabilities and closing the simulation‑measurement feedback loop using real build data
• Define characterization pipelines, build plans, and data architecture to establish a rigorous design-to-performance validation, ensuring results are systematically captured and translated cross-functionally into actionable insights
• Define critical performance metrics and develop specifications to guarantee component performance in high-volume manufacturing builds
• Drive failure mode analysis and root‑cause diagnosis across optical components to support build critical issues, ultimately translating the learnings into improved predictive simulation capability.
• Analyze results, produce comprehensive reports, and communicate findings to diverse cross-functional teams spanning product design, manufacturing, and integration

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field with 3+ years of relevant experience
• Established track record of correlating optical simulations with measured hardware performance in industry or R&D settings
• Proficiency with one or more optical simulation tools (LightTools, FDTD, RCWA, Zemax, Code V, etc)
• Hands‑on experience in at least one area: optical design/metrology, display technologies, optical sensors, thin‑film processes, or nanofabrication

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field
• Experience with metasurfaces, diffractive optics, waveguide design, or consumer optical product development
• Experience with engineering builds, managing cross-phase deliverables, high-volume manufacturing, or module integration experience
• Self‑driven with excellent project management, meticulous attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills
• Working knowledge of optical measurement systems including light sources, microscopes, spectrometers, detectors, and free‑space optics
• Statistical data analysis capabilities using tools such as JMP, Matlab, Python, etc.

At Apple, base pay is one part of our total compensation package and is determined within a range. This provides the opportunity to progress as you grow and develop within a role. The base pay range for this role is between $150,400 and $225,300, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

Apple employees also have the opportunity to become an Apple shareholder through participation in Apple’s discretionary employee stock programs. Apple employees are eligible for discretionary restricted stock unit awards, and can purchase Apple stock at a discount if voluntarily participating in Apple’s Employee Stock Purchase Plan. You’ll also receive benefits including: Comprehensive medical and dental coverage, retirement benefits, a range of discounted products and free services, and for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition. Additionally, this role might be eligible for discretionary bonuses or commission payments as well as relocation. Learn more about Apple Benefits

Note: Apple benefit, compensation and employee stock programs are subject to eligibility requirements and other terms of the applicable plan or program.

Apple is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to inclusion and diversity. We seek to promote equal opportunity for all applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, Veteran status, or other legally protected characteristics. Learn more about your EEO rights as an applicant

At Apple, we believe accessibility is a fundamental human right. You’ll find that idea reflected in everything here — in our culture, our benefits and our digital tools. By welcoming as many perspectives as possible, we help you build a career where you feel like you belong.

Learn about accessibility in Apple’s workplace

Learn about reasonable accommodations for job applicants

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.