Camera Systems Architect

Apple; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative technology firm is seeking a passionate Camera Systems Architect to lead the design of cutting-edge camera hardware solutions. In this exciting role, you will harness your expertise in optical fundamentals and image processing to develop groundbreaking camera systems that redefine photography experiences. You'll collaborate with cross-functional teams to analyze requirements, evaluate trade-offs, and present your findings to drive impactful decisions. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence the future of imaging technology, working with state-of-the-art tools and techniques in a dynamic environment that values creativity and technical excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in relevant field or equivalent experience required.
• 10+ years in camera technology development and image processing preferred.

Responsibilities

• Drive future camera hardware requirements and perform detailed system analysis.
• Collaborate with design teams to create proposals for imaging solutions.

Skills

Optical Fundamentals

Image Quality Evaluation

Image Processing

Technical Project Leadership

Communication Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s degree or PhD in a related field

Tools

Camera Module Design

Metrology Techniques

Imaging Algorithms

Job description

Camera Systems Architect

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

Summary

Posted: Apr 08, 2025

Role Number: 200598580

Do you love taking on big challenges that require exceptionally creative solutions? Do you deeply understand how an incredible camera experience should work? As part of our Camera Technologies group, you’ll help design the innovative technology that allows each generation of Apple products to produce photos even more incredible than the last. You’ll design and develop groundbreaking ideas for everything involved in our camera systems, from sensor to lens. You’ll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify camera hardware for Apple products. Together, we’ll craft a magical photography experience that redefines what millions of customers can expect from their cameras! The Camera System Architecture team initiates & fosters deep collaboration between all cross functional teams involved in delivering final camera performance and features. This is true for any Apple product, from the hardware level through to the user facing applications. The end goal is to successfully tie in highly optimized camera hardware solutions with state of the art software providing market leading imaging experiences.

Description

Apple is seeking an energetic and highly motivated Camera Systems Architect to drive future camera hardware requirements that meet product vision, including considerations for feature requirements, ISP & silicon capabilities, power budgets, optical & mechanical design requirements and solution cost. The ideal candidate would have the capabilities required to perform detailed system analysis and tradeoff evaluations while pushing boundaries in this wide technology space with the goal of arriving at the most optimal solution. Additional responsibilities include:

1. Perform detailed system analysis and tradeoff evaluations, derive camera and camera system requirements from use cases, and push the boundary in this wide technology solution to arrive at the most optical solution.
2. Work closely with camera HW, ISP and algorithm design teams creating proposals for future Apple imaging solutions.
3. Develop camera design options based on system requirements and constraints.
4. Guide design studies for imaging system proposals, mapping to system requirements and performance goals.
5. Analyze system simulations to quantify proposals and designs.
6. Deliver executive level presentations based on solid facts and detailed analysis.
7. Collaborate on prototyping efforts for early evaluation where necessary.
8. Lead architecture development and trade-off analysis cross-functionally, provide technical leadership and oversight and down-select recommendations.
9. Design studies to quantitively assess customer impact, this can include visual perception impact and/or computer vision algorithm impacts.
10. Derive image space figures of merits and requirements, allocate requirements to related sub-components, accounting for calibration, hardware tolerances, variations, and reliability.
11. Collaborate on factory test and metrology setups. Support camera and system design and validation process, failure analysis and triage.

Minimum Qualifications

+ Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Optics Science, a related field, or equivalent practical experience.

+ Experience in one or more of the following area: optical fundamentals, image quality evaluation, image processing.

Preferred Qualifications

+ Master’s degree or PhD in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Optics Science, a related field.

+ 10+ years relevant industry experience.

+ Experience in these following areas: camera technology development, optics, image quality evaluation, validation and metrology techniques for imaging, and computer vision and machine learning algorithms.

+ Knowledge with camera module design, including aspects of image sensor, optics, module construction, assembly processes, etc.

+ Good knowledge of state of the art ISP data-flows and processing blocks.

+ Experience with modern imaging algorithms such as HDR, super resolution, image fusion, multi-camera registration, etc.

+ Experience with technical project and team leadership: strong communication, persuasion and negotiation skills in addition to being comfortable with working through ambiguities.

+ Excellent written skills for clear reporting of data analysis and conclusions.