Image Scientist - Camera Simulation

Apple Inc.; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 184,700 - 324,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement benefits

Relocation assistance

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Apple Inc. seeks an experienced Simulation Engineer for the Camera Modeling and Simulation team in the San Francisco Bay Area.

You will design, develop, and maintain high-throughput simulation frameworks to generate large volumes of synthetic imagery, modeling camera systems from lens to ISP to reflect real‑world imaging performance. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams across hardware, software and product groups to define design specifications, run end‑to‑end studies, and guide

Qualifications

• BS in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or related field with 10 years of industry experience.
• Experience with imaging systems, camera controls or ISP.
• Programming experience in C, C++, Python or Matlab.
• Experience with image processing algorithms.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to define hardware design specs and metrics for imaging applications.
• Conduct simulation studies to characterize end-to-end performance and guide product architecture decisions.
• Communicate findings to hardware, software and product teams and manage project deliverables.

Skills

C

C++

Python

Matlab

Image processing

Camera control

Education

BS in Optics/Physics/EE

MS/PhD in Optics/Physics/EE/IS

Tools

CUDA/OpenCL

GPU computing

Simulation software

Job description

San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States Hardware

Do you love taking on big challenges that require exceptionally creative solutions? Do you deeply understand how an incredible camera experience should work? As part of our Camera Technologies group, you’ll help design the innovative technology that allows each generation of Apple products to produce photos even more incredible than the last. You’ll design and develop groundbreaking ideas for everything involved in our camera systems, from sensor to lens. You’ll collaborate with teams across Apple to research, design, develop, test, and qualify camera hardware for Apple products. Together, we’ll craft a magical photography experience that redefines what millions of customers can expect from their cameras.

The Camera Modeling and Simulation team, a part of the Camera Hardware and Depth Team, develops novel metrology, calibration, and simulation processes to enable the implementation and architecture of machine‑vision‑driven and photographic experiences. We collaborate closely with cross‑functional teams to define hardware design specifications and key performance metrics to deliver seamless user experiences. The team is seeking an expert in imaging, camera controls, or ISP with broad skills to help develop next‑generation, high‑throughput simulation frameworks to guide the design and architecture of products, including photographic and computer vision features.

Description

As an Simulation Engineer on the Camera & Depth Architecture team, you will design, develop, and maintain high‑throughput simulation frameworks to generate large volumes of synthetic imagery on‑demand, and build and refine models of camera systems—from lens to sensor to ISP—to simulate real‑world imaging performance.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define hardware design specifications and key performance metrics for photographic and machine‑vision applications.
• Conduct simulation studies to characterize end‑to‑end performance (hardware and software) and guide product architecture decisions.
• Partner with cross functional teams to ensure simulation accuracy reflects real‑world hardware behavior and communicate findings and recommendations to stakeholders across hardware, software, and product teams and manage project deliverables and schedules to meet commitments.

Minimum Qualifications

• BS in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or related field and 10 years of relevant industry experience.
• Programming experience in at least one of the coding languages: C, C++, Python, or Matlab.
• Experience with one or more of the following: optical imaging systems, camera control systems, camera ISP.
• Experience with algorithms for image processing.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS/PhD degree in Optics, Physics, Electrical Engineering or Image Signal Processing.
• Experience in project management and/or driving projects independently in ambiguous problem spaces.
• Published research in imaging, computational photography, or computer vision.
• Experience with camera sensor physics, noise modeling, or radiometry.
• Experience with synthetic data generation for ML training pipelines, model optimization and/or deployment, related to imaging and data analyses.
• Experience with GPU computing (CUDA, OpenCL) or distributed processing at scale.

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 $184,700 and $324,800, and your base pay will depend on your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.

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.