Haptics Product Design Engineer

Apple Inc.; Northern, San Diego (KY, CA); On-site; USD 123,000 - 214,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. Haptic Engineering seeks a Product Design / Mechanical Design Engineer to own mechanical design and integration of a haptic actuator from concept to production. You’ll work with cross-functional teams and external vendors to validate and iterate designs.

You will define targets with perception scientists, lead design reviews, and contribute to magnetic circuit and actuator architecture while maintaining manufacturability and reliability across Apple’s products. Travel is <10%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience with 3D CAD.
• Strong fundamentals in mechanics and magnetism.
• Working expertise in magnetic measurement and characterization, grade selection, and thermal demagnetization.
• Problem-solving using the scientific method, root cause analysis, and DOE creation.
• Proficient with mechanical or electromagnetic FEA tools.
• Applied knowledge of electrical circuits, material science, and basic chemistry.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, team oriented.

Responsibilities

• Design and define mechanical components and assembly schemes.
• Brainstorm concepts and solutions to haptic related challenges.
• Prototype, evaluate, and debug innovative ideas.
• Contribute to haptic engine architecture from magnetic first principles, including magnetic circuit, flux path, and force-profile design.
• Characterize magnetic materials and magnets: BH-loop and flux measurement, thermal demagnetization, and loss benchmarking against design targets.
• Analyze static and dynamic structures to quantify device performance via simulation and experiments.
• Define actuator performance targets with perception scientists.
• Validate and characterize designs through iterations and DOE.
• Collaborate with external vendors on manufacturing and assembly processes.
• Lead design reviews and design documentation releases.
• Travel periodically (<10%) as project needs.

Skills

Problem solving

Written & verbal communication

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

3D CAD

FEA tools

Magnetic measurement equipment

MATLAB

Excel

Job description

The Haptic Engineering team develops innovative haptic solutions that are central to Apple’s products, including the iPhone and Apple Watch! Our key goal is to enable the world’s best user-experience and explore the possibilities using haptics. We are a highly multi-functional team working in a hands-on environment that values creativity, engineering excellence, and passion for innovation. New challenges arise every single day that require the sharp analytical skills of versatile and forward-thinking individuals. We are seeking a Product Design / Mechanical Design Engineer to design, develop, and validate next-generation haptic actuators and experiences. Imagine what you could do at Apple! Are you ready to help us deliver the next groundbreaking Apple products?

Description

You will have end-to-end responsibility for the mechanical design and integration of a haptic actuator from concept to production, with a path to owning the magnetic design and actuator architecture as you grow in the role. You will be expected to work with a variety of cross functional teams and vendors to accomplish this.

Responsibilities

• Design and define mechanical components and assembly schemes
• Brainstorm concepts and solutions to haptic related challenges
• Prototype, evaluate, and debug innovative ideas
• Contribute to haptic engine architecture from magnetic first principles, including magnetic circuit, flux path, and force-profile design
• Characterize magnetic materials and magnets: BH-loop and flux measurement, thermal demagnetization, and loss benchmarked against design targets
• Analyze static and dynamic structures to quantify fundamental device performance through simulation and experiments
• Define actuator performance targets jointly with perception scientists
• Validate and characterize designs through multiple iterations
• Participate in the development of new manufacturing and assembly processes with external vendors
• Conduct failure analysis and design of experiments (DOEs) to resolve root cause and implement corrective actions
• Collaborate with Industrial Design and system engineering groups to determine and achieve both functional and aesthetic goals
• Design for manufacturability with Process, Manufacturing Design, Technical Operations, and other cross-functional teams
• Lead design reviews and design documentation releases
• Periodic international travel based on project needs (< 10%)

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of a bachelors degree
• Experience with 3D CAD
• Strong fundamentals in mechanics and magnetism
• Working expertise of magnetic measurement and characterization, grade selection, and thermal demagnetization
• Skilled at problem-solving, using tools like the scientific method, root cause analysis, and DOE creation (Design of Experiments)
• Proficient with mechanical or electromagnetic FEA tools
• Applied knowledge of electrical circuits, material science, and basic chemistry
• Team oriented with excellent written and verbal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Design and/or research experience with haptic technologies
• Experience designing to perceptual or psychophysical targets
• Experience in the design and application of electromagnets and actuators
• Expert knowledge of electro-mechanics and dynamics
• Fluency with ML- and optimization-driven design exploration
• Proficiency with data analysis tools (JMP, MATLAB, Mathematica, Excel, etc)
• High volume mass production experience (DFM)
• Experience with 2D drafting, GD&T, and tolerance analysis

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 $122,700 and $214,300, 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.

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.