Haptics Engineering Program Manager

Socket.dev; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a program manager for the Haptics team to lead the design, integration, and launch of haptic solutions for iPhone, Apple Pencil, and other devices. You will manage program execution from concept to mass production, coordinating mechanical, electrical, software, and firmware engineers to ensure top-tier user experiences.

You will drive executive communications, define plans and budgets, align teams, and resolve conflicts while fostering continuous improvement and effective risk

Qualifications

• BS in STEM field and 3+ years of relevant experience shipping hardware.
• Experience shipping consumer electronic systems or hardware.
• Experience leading multi-disciplinary engineering programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and drive communications and alignment between multi-functional teams including mechanical, electrical, process, reliability, software, and firmware engineering.
• Define and communicate program plans, schedule, and cost/budget.
• Deliver executive communications/presentations and drive the decision-making process.
• Manage engineering development builds with process teams, operations partners, and suppliers/vendors.
• Identify and resolve risks, conflicts, interdependencies, and program issues.
• Navigate unexpected changes in the program due to outside influences.
• Drive continuous improvement: look for patterns, share best practices, and implement change.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Engineering background

AI tool familiarity

Communication skills

Education

BS in STEM field (EE/ME/Physics)

Tools

AI tools

Job description

At Apple, new insights have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. Collaborative, solutions-oriented people and inspiring, innovative technologies are the norm here. The same passion for innovation that goes into our products also applies to our practices, strengthening our dedication to leave the world better than we found it. Do you want to join us in these pursuits? The Haptics team builds the ground-breaking Taptic Engine, a critical component of the iPhone, Watch, and Pencil Pro customer experience. In this critical and highly visible role, you will manage projects involving the design, integration, and launch of haptic solutions. You will leverage your engineering background to manage program execution from technology or feature concept to mass production and launch. This is a highly collaborative environment where you will lead cross-functional teams and define program plans and schedules. You will bring teams together, align them on goals, and resolve conflicts to provide Apple customers with the best user-experience in the industry. Come, join us in crafting solutions the world doesn’t know of yet!

Description

• Lead and drive communications and alignment between multi-functional teams including mechanical, electrical, process, reliability, software, and firmware engineering
• Define and communicate program plans, schedule, and cost/budget
• Deliver executive communication/presentations and drive the decision-making process
• Manage engineering development builds, working with process teams, operations partners, and suppliers/vendors to create new sensing subsystems
• Ensure engineering excellence and help drive smart risk taking through logical and balanced decisions
• Identify and resolve risks, conflicts, interdependencies, and program issues
• Navigate unexpected changes in the program due to outside influences
• Drive continuous improvement: Look for patterns, offer best practices, and implement change

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in STEM field (e.g. EE, ME, Physics, etc.) and +3 years relevant experience
• Product development, engineering, or program management experience shipping consumer electronic systems, semiconductor, or other electronic hardware
• Curiosity about and familiarity with AI tools— with interest to apply them to improve engineering and program workflows
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally (typically once per year; accommodations available as needed)

Preferred Qualifications

• Relevant industry experience designing optical sensing hardware or project management relevant experience in a similar field.
• Knowledge of electro-mechanical systems
• Advanced engineering degree
• Excellent communication, organizational and leadership skills
• Experience using AI agents to automate complex design and validation processes
• Confident in delivering technical data with ability to filter and distill relevant information for the right audience
• In-depth technical engineering knowledge to effectively establish and manage project and operational KPIs, assess and drive technical risks, and critically challenge engineering decisions.
• Proven ability to effectively manage multiple global contract manufacturers and vendors.
• Understands and deals well with rapid development cycles; remains flexible and calm in the face of uncertainty
• Self-motivated and proactive with demonstrated creative and critical thinking capabilities
• You should be able to fit in well with a team, understand capabilities and priorities while, cultivating a team environment.