Hardware Systems Design & Integration Engineer - AirPods

Apple, Inc.; Cupertino (CA); On-site; USD 129,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple, Inc. in Cupertino invites a Hardware Systems Design & Integration Engineer to own system hardware deliverables across the full product lifecycle.

You will work closely with silicon, RF, power, audio, sensor, mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams to translate complex electrical trade-offs into team decisions and roadmaps. You will lead prototype bring-up, validation, and production ramp activities, designing tests and ensuring quality at scale, with occasional travel to supplier

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 5+ years of experience designing electronics or embedded systems.
• Strong analog/digital design, signal integrity, and power integrity.
• Hands-on prototyping, bring-up, debugging and validation experience.
• Proficient in a lab with oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, and related equipment.

Responsibilities

• Drive system-level electrical architecture decisions with cross-functional teams.
• Own schematic design, layout direction for rigid PCBs and flex circuits.
• Prototype bring-up, debug, validation, and test plans for lab and factory.
• Define manufacturing test requirements with contract manufacturers.
• Lead multi-disciplinary investigations across EE, ME, and software.
• Translate trade-offs into clear narratives for partners and executives.
• Mentor peers and raise technical standards within the team.
• Travel occasionally to support builds and manufacturing activities.

Skills

Analog design

Digital design

Signal integrity

Power integrity

Prototype bring-up

System validation

Oscilloscopes

Lab instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering

Equivalent related work experience

Tools

PCB design

Flex design

Schematic design

Layout design

Test automation

Job description

Hardware Systems Design & Integration Engineer - AirPods

Cupertino, California, United States Hardware

At Apple, new ideas can quickly transform into amazing products, services, and customer experiences. Sound is an essential facet of that experience, and we are committed to making a difference through innovative electronic design. Our team owns the electronics inside small form‑factor audio products - pushing the boundaries of physical architecture, wireless and silicon technologies.The AirPods System Integration team turns these ambitions into shipping hardware. We are looking for engineers who want to understand how things work, thrive in ambiguity, and lift the teams around them - people who can dig into a hard problem in the lab and then bring the team along on what they learned and where to go next.If you love building things and shipping products that millions of people wear every day, come help us build the next generation of AirPods.

Description

You will own system hardware deliverables across the full product lifecycle - from early architecture and PCB/flex design through prototype bring‑up, validation, and production ramp. You will work shoulder‑to‑shoulder with silicon, RF, power, audio, sensor, mechanical, software, and manufacturing teams, translating complex electrical trade‑offs into decisions the whole program can get behind.

Responsibilities

• Drive system‑level electrical architecture decisions and contribute to product definition in partnership with cross‑functional engineering teams.
• Own schematic design, layout direction, and design reviews for rigid PCBs and flexible circuits, delivering to program milestones.
• Get hands‑on with prototype bring‑up, debug, and system validation — building validation plans that prove performance in the lab and guarantee quality at the factory.
• Define and drive manufacturing test requirements; partner with contract manufacturers and operations to enable a smooth ramp to high‑volume production.
• Lead complex, multi‑disciplinary investigations across electrical, mechanical, and software domains, often with incomplete data and drive them to root cause and durable resolution.
• Translate complex technical trade‑offs into clear narratives for cross‑functional partners, contract manufacturers, and executive audiences; build alignment and drive decisions, including the hard calls.
• Mentor peers, share best practices, and help raise the technical bar and culture of the team.
• Travel occasionally to support builds and manufacturing activities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Electrical Engineering, or equivalent directly‑related work experience
• 5+ years of relevant industry experience designing electronics and/or embedded systems
• Strong electrical engineering fundamentals, including analog and digital design, signal integrity, and power integrity
• Hands‑on experience with prototyping, bring‑up, debug, and validation of electronic systems
• Proficient in a lab environment with oscilloscopes, spectrum analyzers, frequency counters, and related instrumentation

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency in PCB and flex design (schematic and layout), with a track record of delivering high‑quality designs to aggressive timelines
• Working knowledge across several system domains such as SoC integration, power and battery, inductive power, analog and audio, RF, sensors, ESD, or design of test and automation infrastructure that scales across a program — with the curiosity to go deeper wherever the problem demands
• Track record of driving ambiguous, cross‑disciplinary problems to root cause when the path forward isn't obvious and comfortable making measured decisions with incomplete data
• Proven ability to build alignment across teams and influence decisions with cross‑functional partners, contract manufacturers, and executive stakeholders
• Experience taking hardware from proof of concept toward mass production, with exposure to contract manufacturing partners a plus
• Design validation experience spanning bench characterization through factory test coverage,Experience mentoring engineers and fostering a team environment where ideas from any level are welcomed, challenged, and made better
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain complex electrical trade‑offs to non‑EE audiences — from industrial designers to executives

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

Apple accepts applications to this posting on an ongoing basis.