Mechanical Architecture – FEA

Apple Inc.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. in San Diego is seeking a Mechanical Architecture Engineer to develop predictive models guiding sensor and mechanical system architecture from concept to mass production.

You will apply first-principles engineering, analytical modeling, rigid-body dynamics, and FEA to optimize performance and reliability. Collaborating with cross-functional teams, you will validate models experimentally and advance modeling methodologies for next-generation sensing technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in engineering.
• Strong knowledge of solid mechanics, dynamics, vibrations, materials, and heat transfer.
• Experience with analytical modeling, FEA, and experimental validation.
• Proficiency with Abaqus, ANSYS, COMSOL or equivalent tools.
• Programming experience in MATLAB and/or Python.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytical, finite element, and system models for sensing technologies and mechanical systems.
• Perform structural, thermal, dynamic, vibration, modal, harmonic, and nonlinear simulations to guide design decisions.
• Develop and calibrate material models using experimental characterization data.
• Validate models through testing and improve predictive accuracy.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize performance, reliability, manufacturability, and integration.
• Develop simulation workflows, automation, and methodologies to improve engineering efficiency.
• Communicate technical insights and recommendations to engineering teams and leadership.

Skills

Solid mechanics

Dynamics

Vibrations

Heat transfer

FEM/FEA

MATLAB

Python

Experimental validation

Communication

Collaboration

Education

Bachelors degree

MS/PhD in ME

Tools

Abaqus

ANSYS

COMSOL

HyperMesh

Job description

At Apple, great products begin with a deep understanding of the underlying physics. Our team is looking for a Mechanical Architecture Engineer to develop predictive mechanical models that enable next-generation sensing solutions. In this role, you will combine first-principles engineering, analytical modeling, rigid-body dynamics, and finite element analysis (FEA) to guide product architecture from concept through mass production. Your work will directly influence product performance, reliability, and engineering decisions across Apple's hardware products.

Description

As a Mechanical Architecture Engineer, you will develop and apply predictive analytical and computational models to understand the mechanical behavior of advanced sensing technologies and systems. You will determine the appropriate modeling approach, from closed-form analytical models and rigid-body dynamics to high-fidelity finite element simulations, to solve complex engineering challenges across multiple levels of fidelity.Working closely with cross-functional teams, you will influence architecture decisions, evaluate design tradeoffs, optimize product performance, and improve robustness before hardware is built. You will validate models through experimentation, investigate complex mechanical issues using first-principles engineering and simulation, and continuously advance modeling methodologies that enable innovative sensing technologies.

Responsibilities

• Develop analytical, finite element, and system models for sensing technologies and mechanical systems.
• Perform structural, thermal, dynamic, vibration, modal, harmonic, and nonlinear simulations to guide design decisions.
• Develop and calibrate material models using experimental characterization data.
• Validate models through testing and improve predictive accuracy.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to optimize performance, reliability, manufacturability, and integration.
• Develop simulation workflows, automation, and methodologies to improve engineering efficiency.
• Communicate technical insights and recommendations to engineering teams and leadership.

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum requirement of a bachelors degree
• Strong knowledge of solid mechanics, dynamics, vibrations, materials, and heat transfer.
• Experience with analytical modeling, finite element analysis, and experimental validation.
• Proficiency with Abaqus, ANSYS, COMSOL, or equivalent tools.
• Programming experience in MATLAB and/or Python.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• M.S or Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Applied Mechanics, Structural Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or related field
• Experience with MEMS (highly preferred), multiphysics, system modeling, multibody dynamics, or reduced-order modeling.
• Experience with nonlinear materials, fatigue, and fracture mechanics.
• Experience with DOE, optimization, uncertainty quantification, or statistical analysis.
• Experience with simulation automation, surrogate models, or ML-based simulation acceleration.
• Experience with ANSA, META, HyperMesh, or similar tools.