AR/VR Design Validation Engineer

Apple Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 325,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive medical and dental cover

Relocation assistance

Employee stock program opportunities

Discretionary bonuses or commissions

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Apple Inc. in San Francisco seeks an experienced optical engineer to validate end-to-end optical models bridging design, testing, and manufacturing.

You will lead simulations, plan experiments, and translate findings into actionable design guidance in a fast-paced hardware environment. The role emphasizes independent work, meticulous attention to detail, and strong communication across product design, manufacturing, and integration teams.

Qualifications

• BS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field
• Experience correlating optical simulations with measured hardware performance
• Proficient with one or more optical simulation tools (LightTools, Zemax, FDTD, RCWA, Code V)

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 rigorous validation and translate insights cross-functionally
• 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
• Analyze results, produce reports, and communicate findings to cross-functional teams

Skills

Optical simulation

Cross-functional leadership

Design validation

Data analysis (Python/ Matlab)

Hands-on optical metrology

High-volume manufacturing experience

Education

BS in Optical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or related field

Masters or PhD in Optical Engineering or related field

Tools

LightTools

Zemax

FDTD

RCWA

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 10+ 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 two areas: optical design/metrology, display technologies, optical sensors, thin-film processes, or nanofabrication
• 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

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters or PhD in Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Physics, or a related field with 5+ years of relevant experience
• Experience with diffractive optics, waveguide design, or consumer optical product development
• Successful track record leading engineering builds and managing cross-phase deliverables
• Experience defining and executing a validation program from conception to conclusion in a fast-paced, dynamic environment
• High-volume manufacturing or module integration experience
• Demonstrated ability to link performance issues to root causes and guide cross‑functional teams toward solutions through strong analytical and creative thinking
• Self‑driven with excellent project management, meticulous attention to detail, and strong written and verbal communication skills

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 $184,700 and $324,800, 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.

Benefits

• Comprehensive medical and dental coverage
• retirement benefits
• a range of discounted products and free services
• for formal education related to advancing your career at Apple, reimbursement for certain educational expenses — including tuition
• discretionary bonuses or commission payments
• relocation
• Apple employee stock program opportunities (discretionary restricted stock unit awards, Employee Stock Purchase Plan)

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.