Force and Opaque Touch Hardware - Sensor Design & Integration Engineer

Socket.dev; California (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple seeks a proactive engineer to lead sensing solution development from concept to launch. You will design, prototype, test, and verify sensing architectures, calibrate systems, and author comprehensive hardware specs.

Collaboration with internal teams and external partners is essential, with international travel to support product development. You will apply expertise in analog/mixed-signal circuits, PCB layouts, and scripting for verification, while driving reliability and process

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• Strong understanding of RLC fundamentals, op-amp circuits, and signal processing.
• Familiarity with PCB design and layout.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of sensing solutions from conception through product release.
• Design, build, and measure prototype sensing solutions that prove architecture feasibility.
• Analyze design trade-offs and provide final design recommendations.
• Design schematics and provide layout constraints for PCBs/FPCs.
• Define calibration, test, and reliability requirements across the sensing-system supply chain.
• Develop test and characterization software and scripts for verification.
• Analyze engineering build data and assess process capability.
• Perform failure mode analysis, root-cause diagnosis, and technical problem-solving.
• Characterize, test, and verify sensing solutions.
• Author hardware specifications and engineering build documentation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver sensing solutions.
• Manage external partners and suppliers, including corrective actions.
• Author executive communications on development checkpoints.
• Travel internationally to support product development.

Skills

Electrical fundamentals

Op-amp circuits

Signal processing

PCB design/layout

Physics (Newtonian)

Electromagnetism

Python/MATLAB

COMSOL/SPICE

Statistics (JMP)

AI-assisted tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

MS or PhD in a relevant field

Tools

COMSOL

SPICE

Python

MATLAB

JMP

Job description

Come join the Sensor Technology Team! We're a multi-disciplinary, problem-solving team developing state-of-the‑art sensing solutions and technologies that are central to Apple's products, including the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, AirPods, and more. As part of this team, you'll have an opportunity to participate in development from proof‑of‑concept all the way through end‑product launch. The key goal of the Sensor Technology Team is to enable the world's best user experience. New challenges arise every day that require the sharp analytical skills of talented and smart individuals. To be successful, you should be able to thrive in a dynamic, agile, multi‑disciplinary, and hands‑on environment that values engineering excellence, creativity, and innovation.

DESCRIPTION

• Lead development of sensing solutions from conception through product release.
• Propose, design, build, and measure prototype sensing solutions that demonstrate architecture feasibility.
• Analyze design trade‑offs and provide final design recommendations.
• Design schematics and provide layout constraints for PCBs/FPCs.
• Define calibration, test, and reliability requirements across the sensing‑system supply chain.
• Develop test and characterization software and scripts for verification.
• Analyze engineering build data and assess process capability.
• Perform failure mode analysis, root‑cause diagnosis, and technical problem‑solving.
• Characterize, test, and verify sensing solutions.
• Author clear and comprehensive hardware specifications and engineering build documentation.
• Engage and collaborate with internal cross‑functional teams to deliver state‑of‑the‑art sensing solutions.
• Manage external partners and suppliers, including providing engineering guidance on failure analysis and corrective actions.
• Author executive communications pertaining to key development checkpoints.
• Travel internationally to support product development.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Minimum requirement of a bachelors degree Strong understanding of electrical elements (R,L,C) fundamentals, Opamp circuits, and signal processing.
• Good grasp of Newtonian physics and Electromagnetism.
• Familiarity with PCB design and layout.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MS and PhD from a relevant field.
• Strong background in board‑level analog and mixed‑signal circuits and/or embedded systems; hands‑on experience in module‑level design.
• Proficiency in simulation tools (such as COMSOL/SPICE), scripting languages (such as Python/MATLAB), and statistical analysis software (such as JMP).
• Proficiency in leveraging AI‑assisted tools to enhance programming, scripting, and simulation workflows.
• Ability to independently drive technical issues to resolution, including coordinating efforts across teams.
• Excellent critical analysis, statistical analysis, and logic/reasoning skills.
• Excellent written/verbal communication, teamwork, and leadership skills.
• Direct experience with sensor design and integration.
• Cross‑functional experience in a high‑volume production environment.
• Background and experience with automation for test and characterization.