Microphone Module Engineer

Socket.dev; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple is seeking a Microphone Module Engineer to model, analyze, and advance MEMS sensor technologies that enable premium acoustics across our product lines. You will scope new MEMS technologies, devise proof-of-concept designs, and develop test-structures using analytical, lumped-element, and finite element methods.

You’ll work with suppliers and cross-functional teams to drive technologies from development to deployment, present status and risk mitigations, and apply your skills in

Qualifications

• Proven experience in advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) within high-volume consumer electronic products and/or modules.
• Direct experience with MEMS technologies is vital.
• ANSYS or COMSOL experience required.
• Deep understanding of multiphysics modeling, including linear and non-linear structural analysis, thermoviscous acoustics, electronics, RF, heat transfer, and magnetics, as applied to mobile devices.
• Experience characterizing and de-bugging MEMS transducers (sensors or actuators such as IMUs, pressure sensors, microphones, micro-mirrors, etc).
• Direct experience with electrostatic /piezoelectric transducers.
• Experience developing simplified models, such as lumped element models, using tools such as Spice, Matlab, Verilog, etc. to develop and validate your design concepts.
• Expertise designing experiments and analyzing data using tool such as JMP, Matlab, or various scripting approaches to enable analysis of the manufacturability of your designs.
• Working knowledge of semiconductor and MEMS materials and packaging.
• International travel (10-15%).

Skills

Finite Element Analysis

MEMS technologies

ANSYS/COMSOL

Multiphysics modeling

Lumped element modeling

MEMS transducers

Electrostatic/Piezoelectric transduers

Spice/Matlab/Verilog modeling

Data analysis (JMP/Matlab)

Semiconductor MEMS materials & packing

Travel willingness

Education

Advanced degree in Mechanical or Electrical Engineering

Tools

ANSYS

COMSOL

Spice

Verilog

Matlab

Job description

At Apple, extraordinary ideas have a way of quickly becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences. Sound is an essential and compelling facet of the customer experience. Apple has assembled an elite Acoustics team that enables our customers to experience music with delight, communicate with clarity, and enjoy elegant sound throughout our product line. In Apple Acoustics we work with the utmost attention to detail, directly impacting the design of products that millions of people around the world love! A key part of the mission within Apple Acoustics is to help drive microphone hardware design, validation, and problem-solving to minimize distracting audible noises and optimize sound quality across Apple product lines. We've assembled a diverse team of acoustics, mechanics, electronics, physics, and MEMS experts; accomplished listeners, and creative problem solvers. We work closely with multi-functional teams on innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges. To help take our products to the next level, we are searching for a Microphone Module Engineer to join the fight and support our ability to analyze & develop new technologies. Could this be you?

Description

Do you have an inventive design approach and enjoy the challenges of miniaturization? As a Microphone Module Engineer, you will be responsible for modeling and analyzing new sensor and actuator technologies to enable new acoustics features across Apple product lines. This will include scoping new MEMS technologies and devising proof-of-concept designs, models, and test-structures. You’ll apply your expertise using analytical, lumped element, and finite element methods. You’ll communicate your findings and takeaways regularly with a diverse multi-functional team working on acoustic modules. This includes regular presentations on status, risk, and mitigation strategies. Ultimately, your efforts will identify useful technologies to travel from the technology development phase to utilization in products. In this role, you will regularly interact with suppliers and sub-contractors to drive technologies that enable new sensor and actuator functionalities, diagnosing engineering issues as you go, driving to definitive root cause. Your creativity and ability to think quickly and dynamically in order solve technical challenges will be key.

Minimum Qualifications

• Proven experience in advanced Finite Element Analysis (FEA) within high-volume consumer electronic products and/or modules.
• Direct experience with MEMS technologies is vital.
• ANSYS or COMSOL experience required.
• Deep understanding of multiphysics modeling, including linear and non-linear structural analysis, thermoviscous acoustics, electronics, RF, heat transfer, and magnetics, as applied to mobile devices.
• Experience characterizing and de-bugging MEMS transducers (sensors or actuators such as IMUs, pressure sensors, microphones, micro-mirrors, etc).
• Direct experience with electrostatic /piezoelectric transducers.
• Experience developing simplified models, such as lumped element models, using tools such as Spice, Matlab, Verilog, etc. to develop and validate your design concepts.
• Expertise designing experiments and analyzing data using tool such as JMP, Matlab, or various scripting approaches to enable analysis of the manufacturability of your designs.
• Working knowledge of semiconductor and MEMS materials and packaging.
• International travel (10-15%).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience modeling MEMS-package interactions.
• Most of our engineers have advanced degrees Mechanical or Electrical Engineering or an equivalent field.