Force and Opaque Touch Hardware - Sensor Design & Integration Engineer

Apple Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 129,300 - 225,300; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a Sensor Design & Integration Engineer to lead development from conception to product release.

You will design, build, and test prototype sensing solutions, define calibration and reliability requirements, and author hardware specifications for cross-functional teams. Responsibilities include collaborating with product design, running verification scripts, and guiding external partners.

Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of a bachelor's 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.
• Direct experience with sensor design and integration.
• MS and PhD from a relevant field are preferred.
• Experience with simulation tools (COMSOL/SPICE) and scripting (Python/MATLAB).
• Ability to drive issues to resolution and communicate clearly.

Responsibilities

• Work with architects to design a force or touch sensor and bring it to production.
• Collaborate with test engineers to design hardware and software for both online and offline test coverage.
• Utilize AI to write post-processing software to analyze the data and adjust the design based on the data.
• Work with product design to generate a proof of concept, development board, and prototype.
• Collaborate with a cross-functional team to address issues such as reliability of the design or coexistence of multiple technologies.

Skills

RLC fundamentals

Op-amp circuits

Signal processing

PCB design

Sensor design

Physics fundamentals

Communication skills

Analytical thinking

AI-assisted tools

Education

Bachelor's degree

MS or PhD in relevant field

Tools

COMSOL

SPICE

Python

MATLAB

JMP

Job description

Force and Opaque Touch Hardware - Sensor Design & Integration Engineer

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Hardware

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.

Responsibilities

• Work with architects to design a force or touch sensor and bring it to production
• Collaborate with test engineers to design hardware and software for both online and offline test coverage
• Utilize AI to write post-processing software to analyze the data and adjust the design based on the data.
• Work with product design to generate a proof of concept, development board, and prototype.
• Collaborate with a cross-functional team to address issues such as reliability of the design or coexistence of multiple technologies.

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.

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 $129,300 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.